One in three gardai not trained to drive at high speed -- or use lights and sirens
A third of Garda drivers are not trained to drive at speed or to use lights or sirens, Extra.ie can reveal.
There are now calls to change the entire driving training system to a new model, which will see more members of the force being able to respond to calls without fear of discipline.
There have been several incidents in recent years in which members of the force have faced legal or disciplinary difficulties for chasing alleged criminals.
A third of Garda drivers are not trained to drive at speed or to use lights or sirens. Pic: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
In total, there are just 4,700 members of the force who are trained to the level where they can use lights and sirens while also breaking the speed limit to respond to calls. The remaining 8,913 Garda members have only completed the basic driving assessment, which allows them to drive patrol cars.
To drive at higher speeds and use equipment such as lights or sirens, gardaí are required to pass a specific level of training called Competency Behaviour Driving 2 (CBD2). CBD2 is a two-week course aimed at frontline Garda drivers. This course contains road techniques and emergency response driving.
Last year, just under 600 members were trained in CBD2. The number so far for this year is 277. The Garda Representative Association (GRA), along with other Garda associations, has repeatedly said that the threat of internal investigation or discipline has resulted in gardaí being fearful of doing their jobs.
Detective Garda Mark Ferris of the GRA has claimed that no gardaí in the country are specifically trained for pursuits. Pic: KarlM Photography/Shutterstock
A new Garda Spontaneous Pursuits Policy was published in December 2024. It states that gardaí are now permitted to chase scramblers, motorcycles, and electric bikes in a more proactive way, a change from previous restrictions, where they were often told to step down from any pursuits of these vehicles.
Detective Garda Mark Ferris of the GRA has claimed that there are no gardaí in the country who are specifically trained for pursuits. He said: ‘There is no member of An Garda Síochána trained and appropriately authorised in pursuit driving which renders the policy inoperable.
‘Competency Based Driving 2 [CBD2] drivers, which make up the vast majority of response drivers, are not trained in any element of pursuit. To allow these pursuits magnifies the risks to the health and safety of rank-and-file gardaí and jeopardises their career trajectory with the potential for disciplinary or even legal action in the event of a mishap.
In total, there are just 4,700 members of the force who are trained to the level where they can use lights and sirens while also breaking the speed limit to respond to calls. Pic: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
‘Until An Garda Síochána addresses this lack of training, pursuit policies will remain theoretical and expose everyone involved to high-risk situations. Inadequate or no training results in individuals making poor decisions or, worse again, no decisions.
‘The risk to the public is great in situations where people are not equipped appropriately to deal with dynamically unfolding events.’
In a statement, An Garda Síochána said it does not comment on internal procedure documents. However, a spokesman said that Garda HQ had been criticised in the past for having a pursuit policy that was too restrictive.
He said: ‘The policy statement clearly states, “It is the aim of An Garda Síochána to preserve the safety of members of the public and Garda personnel when a spontaneous pursuit is initiated”.’
He added: ‘Any decision to engage in a pursuit must be done in the interests of public safety, to protect life, to prevent crime and to apprehend offender(s) in line with the statutory obligations set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
‘A key consideration is to ask if the pursuit is necessary and balanced against threat, risk and harm for which the subject driver is being/about to be pursued. An Garda Síochána has previously been subject of adverse criticism, internally by various garda representative associations, and mainstream media and public, that the previous pursuit policy was too restrictive.
‘The current documents provide guidance and direction to Garda personnel who in the course of their duties engage in the use of pursuit tactics and pursuit management in order to reduce the risk associated with pursuits and stopping of subject vehicles, rather than a prescriptive process.
