The President of the Garda Representatives Association called on An Garda Síochána to review its uniform and dress code after three Garda trainees were sent home from Templemore Garda Training College and had their tattoos removed, reports RTE.
The trainees were told that the tattoos did not comply with the dress and uniform code.
They were part of the 175 recruits who arrived for the July 31 induction.
The Garda confirmed that many Garda recruits were suspended from their posts “to comply with the uniform and dress code at An Garda Síochána”.
“An Garda Síochána Uniform and Dress Code is published on the Garda website and details provided in the Recruitment Candidate Information Booklet,” a statement added, reports RTE
GRA President Brendan O’Connor said he was aware that one of the three incidents involved a small discreet star tattoo behind the ear, which he said could have been covered up with makeup if not followed.
Speaking to Philip Boucher Hayes on RTÉ’s Today, he said that at a time when Garda Commissioners are scrambling to fill places at Templemore, getting people through the system who are deemed fit and then parting ways with them because of the self-disclosure element is taking place in these regulations. are subject to subjective interpretation, reports RTE.
Mr. O’Connor urged the Gardaí to find a code that is more flexible and reflected the broader social values that should be reflected in An Garda Síochána, rather than the conservative principles of previous generations of the organization.
He describes the issue as complex and nuanced because you have to have code, but of course times and attitudes have changed and it “is a little but conservative”.
“At a time when we need to reach out beyond where we traditionally may have looked for recruits and be more imaginative, inclusive and diverse to socially acceptable things be excluded from the training programme does seem to raise some questions,” he said, reports RTE.
“Perhaps this policy is slightly out of step and is robbing the organisation of three people with the potential to be excellent guards and serve their communities well,” Mr O’Connor said, reports RTE.
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