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Updated 10.40pm
USE OF SOCIAL networks such as Facebook and Twitter has led to a “small number” of Gardaí facing internal investigation.
It is understood that the investigations come on foot of a recently finalised internal Garda Síochána policy on how members should conduct themselves online.
Responding to enquiries from TheJournal.ie, a Garda spokesperson confirmed:
As part of the Social Media Policy of An Garda Síochána, members of staff are advised and expected to consider any impact on the organisation, its reputation and values, when engaging in social media activity.
They are also expected to be compliant with legal obligations.
A small number of staff have faced disciplinary procedures in relation to their use of social media.
The spokesperson declined to give details on the exact number of members or type of activity involved.
However, the disciplinary procedures are a further indication of a force evolving in its understanding of the advantages and pitfalls of social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
This poster, located inside a Garda station, confirms the existence of Garda Directive 27/2014 – the force’s Staff Policy on the Use of Social Media:
Members of the force are warned not to identify themselves or colleagues as Gardaí, not to compromise their own or others’ safety, and not to jeopardise the “corporate image and reputation of An Garda Síochána.”
Explaining why a Garda might be disciplined for posts or comments on social media, a spokesperson told TheJournal.ie:
Any action taken must comply with the fundamental principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and accountability and applied in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Separately, it is understood that two Gardaí are currently under investigation by GSOC, for their conduct on social media.
‘We need to alert them to the dangers’
The new official policy comes after years of concern within senior ranks about the potential dangers of individual members using their personal Facebook an Twitter accounts.
Then Chief Superintendent Brendan Cloonan initiated a force-wide review of social media use three years ago, which specifically consulted the views of junior members, in light of their age profile.
In a March 2011 interview, Cloonan told the Garda Review magazine:
The central issue [is] that some of our members are inappropriately saying things on [social networks] in relation to An Garda Síochána and their duties.
We need to alert them to the dangers of this and the possible consequences.
As an organisation, the Garda Síochána has made strides recently in its use of social media as a tool for outreach and spreading important information.
The @GardaTraffic Twitter was set up in May 2011, and was followed in 2013 by the @GardaInfo account.
Along with the Garda Síochána Facebook page, the accounts have become an important part of the force’s community engagement strategy.
They offer an almost constant stream of notices about traffic disruption, anti-speeding enforcement and lost property, as well as urgent alerts about missing persons.
The force has also earned plaudits for showing the “human face” of everyday policing In Ireland, as well as demonstrating a sense of humour and self-awareness in its interactions with the public.
First published 7am
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So the majority of Garda cars are sitting on 200-300k kilometres, uniform not fit for purpose, overtime gone, personnel numbers drastically fallen, promotion nepotism absolutely rife, they couldn’t give a toss about the front lines concerns…but if they so much as talk about it on social media we’ll screw them! Just like they would if they read this comment. That’s senior management in Gardai folks!
People are still getting locked up for assault and robbery, but sure that nothing compared to the lads getting beheaded in Iraq.
What Sean? What is the purpose of your comment?
200k kilometres is not that much for a modern car.
Yeah, was been diplomatic. I’m aware of one car at 283k kilometres. Garda management wanted to push the life mileage of the car out even further, but manufactures won’t stand over their cars once they’ve touched 300k kilometres.
300k clocked up due to spins between KFC, Costa Coffee and harassing suburban tax-paying motorists – Cause they sure as f@&€ ain’t risking meeting actual Criminals….
- They gave up years ago, it’s all for show now the little bits and pieces they mock about at so the paycheques still roll in :(
Back up your statement @kane
Cool story Kane.
There’s a thin line between ‘freedom of speech’ and common sense …..
My employer tried this within the last few years, I personally feel that whatever an individual does in their own time is not the business of an employer. That’s like management saying they don’t give out or complain or talk about their floor staff while their on their breaks themselves. Big Brother gone mad.
I think this is more a case of the boys upstairs telling the lads in the street not to say anything stupid that might land them all in hot water. All it takes is one clown to say something about penalty points, wink wink, and the papers are on it. This is telling them to do what you want but don’t get caught doing it online
My employer takes the view that your social network is your own business unless you make public the fact of where you work or you mention work in which case you will be expected to comply with the internal code of conduct.
Lets be realistic, while I have the utmost respect for the Gardaí, we need to remember that the courts are no longer respectful of Gardaí, and solicitor and barristers in the defence of their clients have no issue with dragging witnesses names through the mud, and a faccebook page is a great way to garner info about people that we don’t want dragged up.
There are a number of things in this article , firstly it shows that Guards are normal people doing a hard job , they like a drink , like to socialise ..etc , secondly and more important is the quote that the Garda post are damaging the “corporate image and reputation of An Garda Síochána.” . Now why say corporate ?? is the force being run as a business for profit ?? ? Also I’m not bothered about Garda posting pictures of late nights or holidays , I’m more concerned about the state and its wee gang posting pro state comments on sites like this in which they insult and bully anyone who doesn’t tow the party line .
Most public service institutions nowadays consider themselves corporate. The main Government departments, for a long time, have each had a “Corporate Affairs” division that handles FOI requests, press releases etc.
so who do they swear their oath too , to protect the people or the property of state corporation ????
Social media advice and sanctions? Is this secondary school?
Is it just me, or does their social media policy bear a slight resemblance to the Green Cross Code?
“You should ensure comments or posts does not pose a security or safety risk to yourself or others”.
I’d be more concerned about the brutal grammar mistake on this official Garda document.
Nothing to here move a long now
Except for your grasp on grammar.
Ah the irony of there being a grammatical mistake in an official Garda directive
Forget the gardai and just focus on ourselves if anyone publishes remarks on social media websites like Twitter and Facebook, in the eyes of the state. Your published comments can be dealt with in the same way as the print media. THIS IS LIMITED to defamation law but be warned it is unwise to post things to social media without being aware of the law that policies it.
Im detective jack frost ! How may I help you ?
Are you sure you’re Detective Jack Frost and not this Jack Frost……
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