Presentation at Garda College

Today, I traveled back to the Garda College (GC). I met with staff members at the GC in Templemore. I was asked to present to the 204 Garda Trainees in Class 19-1. This class is in week 14 of 34 weeks. The trainees will serve a Probationary period, when they are assigned to a station for a total of two years.

The focus of the presentation was on the Use of Force and to provide my perspectives of training and readiness. We discussed their new roles and responsibilities, expectations, public and media scrutiny, the rise in social media and video. Since policing is all about relationships, we also discussed the preparation and need to create relationships with the people they will police. Integrity, communication, and their approach to people was discussed.

It was suggested that as in a car with a manual transmission, they should not approach in 3rd or 4th gear, but to start their approach in 1st or 2nd gear. We talked of use of force, their choices and responsibilities of using that power with discretion.

I reminded them that they would be called upon to respond to some difficult and potentially horrific scenes. They need to understand their human frailties and to seek help when necessary, and not be afraid to talk about what they felt and experienced with colleagues, loved ones or professionals to maintain their well-being.

The new Garda Decision-making Model was presented and reviewed. The group was responsive and interactive. Many of them appeared to walk away with at least one lesson from the discussion. I was honored to be allowed the opportunity to have a minor influence on some of the Garda of the future!