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THE GARDA COMMISSIONER Drew Harris has promoted 50 sergeants to the rank of Inspector without the need of a fresh promotion competition.
The inspectors were formally notified of their promotion yesterday by the human resources section of Garda Headquarters – they take effect from December 8.
Sources have said that Mr Harris sought to bypass the normal new competition approach as garda management identified an urgent need for sergeants and inspectors.
Promotions to middle management and operational supervisory roles in An Garda Siochana normally occur following a competition in which qualified gardaí take an exam and interview.
The gardaí who are successful in this competition are then given a number and the promotions are offered based on the place attained on the list and the amount of positions available.
This process was bypassed this time, according to a Garda statement, as the promoted inspectors had previously completed a competition but were not appointed as there were not enough posts.
“As part of our new Operating Model, An Garda Síochána has received sanction to increase the number of Inspectors within the organisation.
“These Inspectors will be deployed in each Garda Division to support Senior Management in the delivery of front-line policing and a quality local service to communities.
“The Commissioner has promoted 50 Sergeants to the rank of Inspector who had successfully completed a recent internal promotion competition but for whom there were no vacancies at the time,” a garda spokesman said.
A previous batch of gardaí were promoted to sergeant in the same manner and assigned supervisory roles.
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Proper order, aptitude, experience and a willingness to learn should be what counts, not if your face fits and have the right connections.
@Jointheclubtoo: but that’s the way it not in guards only but in in most government positions I’m sure.
I’ve worked all over the world for some of the biggest companies out there. Applying now for jobs with OPW etc. It’s crazy the amount of forms you need to fill out in the country for a government job. Competition, competition. It’s a job application!!!
It’s similar to a field promotion in the army. Nothing unusual about it.
@Celtic Spirit: Doesn’t happen in the,DF
@Paul Murphy: yes it does, Privates are meritoriously promoted to corporal in their final year if they are due to retire on age grounds. Junior officers are promoted on a defined timeline, and Tech officers are also promoted likewise.
@D Mems: Correct
I can see it now claims of unfair promotion which would be understandable. New Spin Doctor for the Government now this what next Santa will turn out too be a lie.
@Mick McGuinness: depends if any garda sgts became eligible between when last interviews were run and now? If there were none this is a good approach, if some more did become eligible get ready for the legal cases
@D Mems: As long as you have previously run an “open process” for the jobs and as long as you choose only candidates who were “successful” in that process but weren’t allocated jobs on the basis of lack of available placements then I *suspect* it would be very hard to rule against this decision unless you had a very strong case which could prove you would be a better applicant than those that have previously been accepted.
@John Considine: You would have a solid complaint in that you were never given the chance to prove you’re a better applicant given the lack of a competition
A Commissioner with a no nonsense approach to modern policing….
I have no opinion on this because I’m American and it would be silly to pretend I understand… Kinda like someone from Ireland talking about President Trump.
@Chaunce Hayden: I’m sure you’ll agree, the President of the United States of America is often referred to the as the leader of the free world and therefore it is very appropriate for people outside of the US to have an opinion or comment. What Donald Trump does, more often than not, has an impact on other countries. The Gardai however have little to no impact on the everyday life of people beyond our own shores.
@Chaunce Hayden: lol that’s exactly the kind of thinking half way through that got that unpleasant person elected.. honestly even Melania looks afraid of him at times.
Looks at the loud minority gathering outside election officials’ houses with guns trying to overturn the will of the people. That is the type of person your outgoing president appeals to and creates more of.
Is that really what you want for your country?
They will have to invest in bigger trousers.
Is this the end of Pull
Even if this wasn’t a corrupt move wouldn’t there be an opportunity to prevent promoting a corrupt officer during the competition stage? No matter the urgency he’s made a complete mess of this by using a backdoor approach instead of going by the book
What criteria did he use to choose the most qualified, committed and deserving people for the job?
I can’t see that 92% approval in the Gardaí holding steady, what a waste of an opportunity.
@Oisín Neary: how on earth is it a corrupt move? They all went through the competition process recently but there were no positions available, rather then running another lengthy and costly competition process he used previously vetted candidates to fill a current role. This is a breath of fresh air to see some initiative in a public sector role and remove some of the ridiculous red tape
have your say