GOT THE BLUES | 

Gardaí who quit force say ‘job broke me’ as reasons for mass resignation revealed

Many were suffering significantly with mental health issues as a result of working as gardaí and said they felt “fear” in making day-to-day decisions, over the potential for disciplinary repercussions.

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Report shows low morale among gardaí as large numbers resign

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A major study exploring why so many gardaí are quitting the force has uncovered a number of issues within An Garda Síochána, including the fact that every single officer who recently left has highlighted the serious lack of morale within the ranks.

A significant number of former gardaí also reported feeling burnt out, stressed, victimised, bullied and unsupported in their roles, according to the report.

Many were suffering significantly with mental health issues as a result of working as gardaí and said they felt “fear” in making day-to-day decisions, over the potential for disciplinary repercussions.

And 97.5pc confirmed that their mental and/or physical health has suffered since they joined An Garda Síochána.

In March of this year, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) began a research project which saw them contact a significant number of gardaí who had recently resigned and ask if they might participate in an “exit interview”.

Forty frontline gardaí agreed to be extensively interviewed, on condition of anonymity, about their reasons for quitting the force. All interviewees had left the organisation between July 2021 and June 2023. In total, 200 gardaí quit the force during this period — so these interviewees account for 20pc of members who left in that time period.

The former gardaí were questioned to determine the reasons for their departure at a time of unprecedented crisis in recruitment and retention for the organisation.

In recent years, there has been a steady increase in gardaí opting to abandon their careers in law enforcement. Based on current figures, it is estimated that up to 150 officers will resign this year, up on 109 from last year. These numbers compare with just 47 in 2017.

Tara McManus, assistant to the GRA’s general secretary, conducted the interviews and evaluated the findings. She identified the six most common reasons why former gardaí quit, with many interviewees reporting several reasons.

In all, 70pc cited unfair treatment, including being bullied by management.

The five other most common reasons included work-related stress and burnout (37.5pc); too heavy a workload, with no time to properly investigate crimes (32.5pc); negative and toxic work environment (32.5pc); lack of support (27.5pc); and work/life balance, and impact on relationships (22.5pc).

Of those who resigned, 40pc stated that stress was one of the major contributing factors in their decision to leave.

Some 77.5pc of interviewees stated that there were no circumstances under which they would consider returning to An Garda Síochána.

But 22.5pc said they would reconsider their choice to leave if the organisation tackled such issues as transfers, pension and salary, and if they received more support and had more flexibility.

The former gardaí were asked if they believed that their contributions within their time in An Garda Síochána were recognised by management. Some 80pc of participants said no.

Over 92pc of participants said that their perception of what it would mean to be a garda had changed throughout their service.

All 40 participants reported there was a serious issue with garda morale. Almost all (39 of the 40) said their mental and/or physical health had suffered since they joined An Garda Síochána.

“This is extremely worrying and is reflective of findings in other police jurisdictions,” said McManus.​

Some 60pc of participants stated that the fear of making a mistake affected their decision-making and 70pc said that the fear of discipline affected their decision-making. They cited a “constant fear” and anxiety around the area of decision-making and that they had “no support” in this area.

Since resigning from the gardaí, all the former officers cited a positive difference in their personal lives with regards to work/life balance and their mental health. They described their new occupations as having appropriate support systems in place, with more flexible working patterns, as well as significant numbers stating they are on better salaries.

One former officer said they were happier now, after having “left a toxic, abusive relationship”.

Unprompted, three former gardaí reported that “the job broke me”. A further 5pc said they felt there was “too much regulation and bureaucracy” and another 5pc said they had “no regrets” about leaving but “wished they didn’t have to”.

Study author McManus said the “stories were difficult to listen to at the time”, but added: “Their accounts have provided invaluable insights into the reality of policing, particularly for our younger members who statistically are more likely to resign.

“They have described a worrying work culture where bullying, mental stress and burn out, and a sense of vulnerability are rife. They have described feeling undervalued and overworked, and overwhelmingly describe morale as being at an all-time low in the garda.

“These issues must now be addressed as matter of urgency to stem the flow of experienced and qualified gardaí out of the garda organisation.”

GRA’s general secretary Ronan Slevin said Garda Commissioner Drew Harris should pay attention to the findings in this new piece of research.

“These interviews have uncovered a real disconnect between our members and senior garda management. The commissioner has in the past insisted that there was no issue with morale — but these testimonies speak volumes.

“Unless these issues such as morale, training, equipment, resourcing and pensions, as well as concerns with the discipline and suspensions policies, are properly addressed, we fear that this trend will continue.”​

Meanwhile, GRA president Brendan O’Connor said he was “taken aback” by the report’s findings.

“But I can completely empathise with those members who felt that they had no option but to leave. While my time and career in An Garda Síochána has been largely enjoyable and fulfilling, I have been aware of many of my colleagues who have had very different experiences.

“Experiences of bullying, unfair treatment and the fear of discipline which have been cited by those surveyed are something I’ve witnessed colleagues struggle to deal with and the effect can be very detrimental.

“A sense of isolation and a perception of not being supported can impact very negatively on self-confidence and mental health, which in turn affects performance and ability to function as a garda.

“It is now up to garda management to take heed of the alarm bells ringing.”