Dublin Garda Siochana

Much different than my taxi drivers around most of the world, in Dublin he was happy to take me to the police station. Instead of predicting they wouldn't want to see me he enthusiastically said that was great, they'd be happy to see me.  And they were.

The Garda Station was built in 1905, well kept up and maintained. Nothing like the old run down West Precinct at 247 Washington that had been several things including a synagogue before the city's final use for common city employees. Yeah, I'm still not happy with the City of Memphis politicians. This however, was a building worth maintaining for tradition. They are proud of it.

The first officer I met was Patrick and he was anxious to show me around. He is 35 with just 6 months on the force. A 35 year old rookie! Isn't there TV show with that premise? Well, I soon met another officer who was about 30 and he was a rookie too! Later I was introduced to a lady veteran officer with 10 years that was younger than the two rookies.

Patrick showed me around the station and talked about their functions.  They don't carry firearms but, have access to them if needed, which he said was almost never. They have a badge and ID but, don't wear it on their uniform.  They have Garda markings and their shoulder applets have their area, similar to a precinct, number and their personal department identification number on it. On one photo you can see the 2 embroidered about his personal number ID 233 which indicates area J, precinct 2, officer 233.. You can see the Dublin area on the map.

They have one police agency for the whole country. I can see where that would simplify jurisdictional issues like we have.

They don't have a lot of crime, mostly petty stuff: fights, vandalism, thefts.  Guns are outlawed for citizens and the police are well regarded and respected. They feel well at ease in the community and rarely get much resistance when they are called to intervene. A very relaxed workplace, reflecting what in my short time in Ireland, their whole national attitude. Don't get me wrong, they have serious crimes just not at the level or intensity of the states. There was one car on patrol in the precinct at that moment and there were no calls for service pending.

The yellow reflective vests they wear are not ballistic vests.  They are stabber vests, meant to stop sharp object penetration. The female office said one of her complaints was the outdated and uncomfortable uniforms that had not been updated in decades. Now I'm starting to hear the similar complaints we all hear about our politicians and department leaders.  She said the stabber vest was hot and weighed a good stone (14 pounds) and they now made ones that were half the weight.

They liked the UP police patches I gave them. They don't wear a similar item but, they gave me one of their badge tie pins that they wear on their uniform. Nice.

They were a good bunch of folks. They really opened up to me about their work and issues. 

They even gave me a copy of their rights forms they use on an arrest.  It is much more extensive than ours. It included items like, Who is the member in charge, the reason for arrest, getting a solicitor, visits and phone calls, searches and why, plus several other items. The Member in Charge can also set bail and can release you if he considers it prudent, all without going before a judge. It also explains that the police can use reasonable force if you fail to cooperate. 

Notice the UP Police patch at the bottom left corner of the photo. The J on the shoulder board in the police district, the 2 in the number is the precinct  and J253 is his ID 

forms, forms, forms

Inside detention cell.

detention cells

Built in 1905.

Interrogation room.

These aren't gun lockers.  They are officer personal storage

Map of district J, or Dublin, and the six precincts. The areas are called something else but, it our equivalent. 

This looks like almost every other police desk in the world.

Officer Patrick in his staber vest.