Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2015
322. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the course work and training available to members of An Garda Síochána in the area of cyber-crime, online bullying and related child welfare and protection issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7035/15]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that Garda Recruits entering the Garda College, Templemore, complete a BA in Applied Policing. The issue of Online Bullying and Social Media issues are included in the programme and also form part of An Garda Síochána Continuous Professional Development training.
Also on Phase II of the BA, a two day “Children First” programme {designed in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive (H.S.E.)} is delivered at the Garda Training College.
Garda personnel attached to the Computer Crime Investigation Unit have undergone a Masters Degree in Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation at University College Dublin.
An Garda Síochána is also seeking to up-skill Garda members nationwide as part of the Fraud Training Course through a "First Responders Course for Cyber Crime" to be held at University College Dublin. The first course will take place at the end of February, 2015.
Online bullying is currently not a specific criminal offence. Such activities are covered by Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Persons Act 1997 (Harassment). All members of An Garda Síochána are trained in the investigation of this type of crime and the Computer Crime Investigation Unit (C.C.I.U.) is specifically trained in obtaining on-line evidence relating to this type of offence.
The Paedophile Investigation Unit (P.I.U.) in the Domestic Violence and Sexual Crime Investigation Unit (D.V.S.A.I.U.) is specifically trained in the investigation of Online Child Sexual Abuse Material and Child Exploitation. All members of the Unit have attended the Europol Training Course on "Combating Online Sexual Exploitation of Children". A number of other Garda members attached to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Crime Investigation Unit have received the same training.
On the subject of Child Welfare and protection issues, all members at Garda and Sergeant ranks in the Domestic Violence and Sexual Crime Investigation Unit have received "Children First Training". This training is delivered by way of Continuous Professional Development. An Garda Síochána have trained Specialist Interviewers to conduct interviews with children and vulnerable adults.
Furthermore, An Garda Síochána has developed a "Schools Programme" in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills for primary school children called “Respectful Online Communication” and a secondary school programme called “Connect with Respect ” which are focused packages delivered by specially trained Gardaí on the subject of developing responsible on-line communication.
The primary school package – “Respectful Online Communication” targets 5th and 6th class children and addresses the social media element of personal safety, recognising the challenges that children and young people face when using technology.
The Programme aims to foster a sense of care and respect for others on-line, and to equip children to effectively deal with the challenge of cyber-bullying.
The secondary school package – “Connect with Respect” targets 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students. This provides information to young people on personal safety and an understanding of cyber-bullying, the impact of it on different people, how to recognise it and highlights that it is unacceptable behaviour. It also attempts to change the attitude of bystanders to make them more likely to intervene positively and effectively in on-line bullying situations.
Both packages include discussions between the facilitating Gardaí and the students which allows for reflection and opportunity for responsible decision making in the future. Other subjects included in the Garda Schools Programme are: the role of the Garda, substance abuse, vandalism, personal safety, road safety as well as respectful on-line communication.
