The Garda “found itself again” during the Covid-19 pandemic as gardaí were freed from a range of “ancillary tasks” that always fall to them but have “nothing to do” with its official role, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said. Mr Harris explained the Garda was looking to shed responsibility for non-core tasks so it could better serve the public. He made his remarks at a hearing of the Policing Authority on Wednesday in response to questions from authority member Vicky Conway. ReassuranceMr Harris said Garda members knew instinctively how to interact with the public and understood that people needed support and reassurance during the pandemic. “I don’t think this was in any way a change in mental gear for them,” Mr Harris said of gardaí helping the public during the pandemic.

Source: The Irish Times June 24, 2020 20:37 UTC