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Our Policing Principles

Principles 1An Garda Síochána has a proud tradition in serving communities and protecting the State with over 16,000 Garda members, Civilians and Reserve members who are committed to delivering a functioning police and security service. This is the cornerstone of a democratic and progressive society. We believe that effective and efficient policing depends on securing the confidence, support and cooperation of local communities and engaging with those communities. In order to ensure we achieve this, members of An Garda Síochána are guided by three simple Policing Principles which state that policing services must be provided:

  • Independent and impartially
  • In a manner that respects human rights
  • In a manner that supports the proper and effective administration of justice.

Our Mission - Keeping People Safe

Ag Coinneáil Daoine Sábháilte - Keeping People Safe

The Code of Ethics

A new Code of Ethics was launched for all members of staff of An Garda Síochána on 23 January 2017.  It sets out nine ethical standards and commitments required to meet the standards we aspire to.  Since its inception in 1922, An Garda Síochána has consistently and proudly placed our values 

at the heart of everything we do. The organisation’s values of Honesty, Accountability, Respect, Professionalism and Empathy have been subsumed by and built upon in the Code of Ethics.

This new Code of Ethics can only enhance the standards and conduct expected of all members to deliver, as committed to in the Mission, a professional policing and security service with the trust, confidence and support of the people we serve.  It is essential that the Code is embraced and understood by every member of staff.

The Code of Ethics is available to read here.

Code of Ethics December Signature 2018CoE Signed GA

Garda Decision Making Model

The Garda Decision Making Model (GDMM) applies to all decisions made by all members of An Garda Síochána and Garda staff, from spontaneous incidents to planned operations, daily duties to strategic planning. The GDMM is to be applied by individuals or teams/groups to operational policing, nonoperational policing and/or administrative decisions.

The GDMM supports and empowers all members of An Garda Síochána and Garda staff to make effective decisions, to reflect on and evaluate their decisions and to enhance their learning and the development of professional judgement over time. The GDMM also supports and empowers all Garda personnel to rigorously oppose unprofessional, unethical illegal or corrupt behaviour or decisions.

The GDMM is an integrated tool to assess risk at the earliest stages of decision making. In addition, it ensures consistency of decision making even in the most dynamic circumstances. The GDMM can be applied in circumstances where immediate action is needed. The GDMM provides a framework for continuous review, evaluation and improvement in a simple and easily understood manner.