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NINE GARDAÍ HAVE faced official disciplinary action over the misuse of the Pulse computer system and other information systems this year, according to figures revealed to TheJournal.ie.
In the last three years alone, some 30 gardaí have faced disciplinary sanctions for misusing the system, showing that the issue is an ongoing problem within the force.
In addition, three civilian staff members working for the gardaí have faced disciplinary action for the same breach in the last ten years, according to new figures from Garda management.
Gardaí have been repeatedly warned not to use Pulse, the system which stories details of all information reported to gardaí, to look up information about individuals and events not related to a crime they are investigating.
Last year, the former Justice Minister Alan Shatter spoke out about some gardaí using the Pulse computer system “as a social website” rather than a tool to record criminal acts.
Shatter said he had raised concerns about its misuse with Garda management as far back as 2013.
Snooping for information
No information has been released detailing what the disciplined gardaí were searching for on Pulse.
However, details of one such case are known.
In June of this year, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) investigated a woman’s claims that her ex-partner, who is a garda, accessed her personal details through the Pulse system.
An examination showed that he had snooped on his former girlfriend’s personal information, and was sanctioned by the authorities.
Figures obtained from the Department of Justice by Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy reveal that the disciplinary investigation of one civilian staff member for the misuse of a Garda email account is still ongoing.
The rules are different for civilian staff members who misuse Pulse and gardaí who do the same thing
Such breaches by civilian staff is dealt with under the Civil Service Disciplinary Code, however, Garda management have said there is no specific rule that says misuse of Pulse is a disciplinary matter for gardaí.
Instead, management states that such wrongdoings fall under neglect of duty or dishonourable conduct, adding there are 30 acts that constitute wrongdoing.
Given a warning
The Garda Síochana (Discipline) Act 2007 states that where breaches are detected, a supervisor may informally discipline or give a warning to a member found to have committed such “minor breaches”.
The rules also state that there is no formal rule to ensure that these breaches are logged with central Garda management.
However, the latest figures find that of the breaches that were logged, nine gardaí and reserve members faced sanctions this year over their misuse of the Pulse system.
The cases are still ongoing.
Last year, five gardaí were investigated for the misuse of Pulse, with one officer found to have broken the rules after an internal investigation was carried out. Four of the cases are still being investigated.
In 2015, 16 members were investigated for breaches, with six being found of wrongdoing after an internal investigation.
Five cases fall under the ‘result other than members being found in breach’ category, which Garda management explained could mean a variety of outcomes such as disciplinary matters having been discontinued due to retirement or resignation.
In some cases it could mean that GSOC accepted a complaint in relation to such an investigation, resulting in the disciplinary procedures ceasing.
Of the 16 cases in 2015, five are still ongoing.
Misuse of Pulse
The largest number of members being investigated for misusing Pulse occurred in 2014 – a total of 26 gardaí.
Garda management explained that this large number is a result of 14 members being investigated in one disciplinary case.
Of the overall number, 17 were found to have been in breach of the rules, seven had their disciplinary action dropped and two cases are still ongoing.
Deputy Murphy, who secured the breakdown of figures from Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, said she was unhappy with the lack of transparency relating to the number of gardaí facing sanctions.
“Again, there appears to be one rule for members of An Garda and another for civilians within the organisation. Civilians are quite clearly dealt with in a transparent manner for abuse of Pulse and other Garda information systems under the civil service disciplinary codes, however gardaí are not,” she said.
“There are 30 acts or conducts constituting breaches of discipline, however not one that directly references Pulse, furthermore a supervising officer may handle the breach of the Pulse system informally – these infringements are not recorded centrally by An Garda Síochana and so there is a level of ambiguity to be addressed there.
“The figures released to me may not paint the true picture of breaches of sensitive personal information by members of the gardaí at all ranks,” she concluded.
I’ve read this whole article and as far as i could see there is absolutely no mention of the data commissioner’s office.
@Eddie Byrne: what would ya expect from them they investigate themselves
There is no discipline in the gda.revelations about corruption, embezzlement,by gda management has undermined the complete force.management setting bad example and no accountability,no consequences.
Humans are hardwired to be curious. Children are extremely curious. When human curiosity solves particular puzzles reward related structures in the brain are activated. A core component of the brain’s reward processing system can motivate animals to seek out information. Even tittle tattle can satisfy this desire.
Neoteny is the retention of juvenile features in adults. We live in a world of artificial intelligence but humans are the ultimate learning machines. A healthy dash of curiosity helps humans take advantage of the learning capacity.
Police work depends on human curiosity. The best detectives are often the most curious human beings.
@Emmet Dillane: So does a plumbers whats your point
@Nameless:
I’m exploring human nature with a view to understanding why these intrusions of privacy might have occurred in the first instance.
@Emmet Dillane: spying on neighbours to have a hold over them and selling data to private investigators, cupidity, are primary drivers, not idle curiosity.
@Frank Cooney:
Of course. The sleuth treads a fine line between the two,
The gumshoe has no line in the sand.
@Emmet Dillane: Or just acknowledge that they’re fairly corrupt would be easier
@Emmet Dillane: ya.
Like nailing dead rats to there colleagues front door?
Guards know a lot about innocent people but know a lot less about criminals.
@Tony Daly:
The Pulse system contains information about:
recording crime;
traffic management;
progression of criminal cases through the courts, including the outcome;
firearms licensing;
driver licences;
insurance;
character vetting.
Any citizen can request the information the Gardai hold on them.
@Tony Daly: that’s very true . Now that is the police imagine when every Tom Dick and Harry Who work in them wee offices has access on your info via that stupid idea of public service card !!! People has to open their eyes . Do you feel safe . HELL NO.
@Emmet Dillane:
God Emmet you talk a load of shi⭐️️e
Pull your head from your ar⭐️️e
This really is an abuse of power.Accessing information on an individual by a member of the force who has no authority to do so is an offence end of story.And they should face discipline for this.
It would be as tempting as a big red “Do Not Press” button to Fr Dougal but, that doesn’t make it alright.
Unless your a guard of course – then everything’s alright.
I do support law and order really.
Just saying like.
@Brendan McLaughlin: like lets them all know you’re from Cork,like.
@Brendan McLaughlin: Langer.
Frankly I’m shocked….
Not that they have done it…
The fact they keep getting caught!!!
You’d expect better than them!!!
This is unbelievable, at least it would be in a properly functioning democracy. The Gardai hierarchy have lost the plot, are no longer fit for purpose and should be removed from their positions immediately, otherwise there will be no reform and the public will have to deal with the consequences going forward.
It’s not acceptable in this day and age that we have criminals in uniforms getting away with blatant abuse of the powers bestowed upon them. They are supposed to protect and serve the public but we are so far away from those ideals under the current system and only a fool would have any faith in the on the ground Garda doing their job properly when they take their orders from a completely dysfunctional hierarchy of megalomaniac dictators!
@Super Ted: Trouble is… what do ya do once the who garda hierarchy are removed from their positions? Is there a subs bench to call in replacements immediately?
@Joe Phillips: *whole
@Super Ted: Don’t worry Ted, Noirin o Sullivan said at a recent passing out parade that the Gardai are already a shining beacon of hope and an example to us all !!…
“Don’t spend too much time looking into the light Noirin it’s dazzling you ”
Gardai are overpaid,corrupt, and accountable to nobody.
@Super Ted: Hyperbole much?
If Deputy Murphy didn’t ask the right question us Mushrooms would still be kept in the dark and fed S***
@Brian O Reilly:
Too Late for some people , An old buddy of mine was a member of the Gardai based in Dublin during his early years , He would come home every couple of months and before the visit he would check PULSE for who in our Town had been charged with Drink Driving etc and would blurt out all the details after a few beers.
A guy I used to work with , when he was buying a house, and had narrowed his options , he called up a Garda friend of his and got him to check the neighbours on pulse for each house he was considering…
I believe either of them couldnt even fathom a problem with this behavior
@just readin:
And I have no doubt most people would do the same if they thought it would rule out them buying a house beside the local paedophile
Have they not got Tinder and POF? These folks need to move with the times.
#Gardabrutallity #Maryboyle #Gardacorruption
Gardai in Cavan and Monaghan regularly access the pulse system to update the PSNI. Remember the Pulse system is a register of everything you do that is noticed by the Gardai or gleaned by information received from informers.
When I say everything I mean everything – what pub you drink in, what car you drive, what shops you frequent, what people you talk to, the pulse system is full of peoples details pertaining to totally innocent activities.
The Gardai then use the information as a road map of your daily activities that is available to anyone that has the connections to the Gardai operating the system.
Gardai have to pay their mortgages too folks so they could care less about how the info they sources about you and sell on will affect your life.
@Bob Allen Peters:
Name and shame.
Wonder what the disciplinary action will be.
“You’re a naughty boy , run along now and don’t get caught again”
Oh wow this is very shocking I am very surprised that this happened.
I’d love a snoop on that would be better then face book
Honestly a disgrace horrible force.
IF your worried about the garda ,you should also be worried about your local bank and the local credit union ,its amazing what staff will tell you after a few drinks ,some times the staff just end up having relationships with wealthy customers ,they just happen to meet out socialising ,lolololoolo.not much secret nowadays ,just accept it .and be aware of it .the russians ,brits and americans have a first class pulse system ,lol
Sack the pigs
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