Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2015
329. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda Síochána codes of conduct in place to guide Garda conduct when dealing with persons with disabilities; her views on having the official Garda Síochána code of conduct published in the spirit of transparency and the public interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10307/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda Charter {http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/charter.pdf} outlines the commitment of An Garda Síochána to ensure that the services of An Garda Síochána meet the needs of all people regardless of Gender, Marital status, Family status, Age, Religion, Disability, Sexual orientation or membership of the Traveller community.
During training, Recruit Gardaí receive training in disability awareness as part of the programme for Policing Vulnerable Communities. This provides members with a skill set to identify where a member of the public will need additional assistance. The basics of the programme are -
1. Take your time - We live in a very busy world. It is easy to feel stressed and under pressure to do things fast, especially at work. But often, trying to rush when dealing with a customer with a disability will actually make things worse.
2. Be flexible - We’ve all experienced times when we’re trying to do something and have been frustrated by rigid attitudes. Maybe you have been frustrated by someone who has been unwilling to be flexible, even when it costs them nothing to do it.
3. Don’t assume - Don’t assume that people with disabilities need lots of help. At the same time, we shouldn’t assume that your customers can all cope fine and don’t need any help.
4. Just ask - It is better to ask and have people say that they don’t need any help than to fail to ask leaving someone needing help.
The training programme has its basis in the NDA (National Disability Authority) course on Disability Awareness. The NDA provided assistance with the development of this.
In each Garda Division Diversity Liaison Officers have been appointed who are available to assist any member of the Public that requests additional assistance. However, in the first instance it is the responsibility of all members of An Garda Síochána to respond to the Community needs.
