Conflict arises within the Garda over challenges in implementing an online recruitment exam
Problems Reported in Garda Promotion Competition, but No Conclusive Evidence of Unfair Advantage
There has been internal controversy within An Garda Síochána regarding the online promotion competition for officer ranks, with some candidates claiming that certain individuals were given an unfair advantage during the assessment phase[1]. However, no explicit confirmation of this allegation has been found in the available search results.
Recent reports suggest that the Garda online promotion test was "beset with problems," leading to a row within the force[1]. While details of these problems and the nature of any unfair advantage have not been explicitly detailed, it appears to be part of broader challenges around Garda personnel development and reform[2].
The competition to promote candidates into the officer ranks of An Garda Síochána was run by PublicJobs, a company that does not comment on live recruitment campaigns[4]. The assessment phase took place over two days at the end of June, with candidates logging in remotely online[5]. Candidates were required to go through a proctoring process before starting the two-hour assessment, involving using the camera on their laptop to prove nobody else was present and that they had no documents to consult[6].
During the assessment, candidates were asked to complete three tasks, including a form outlining their policing and academic experience, a situational judgment test based on live policing scenarios, and a strategy-based written assessment[7]. Unfortunately, for some candidates, the proctoring process did not occur due to an IT issue, resulting in some candidates waiting for an extended period before starting their assessment[5].
Some serving Garda members who applied for promotions claim their efforts to pass the online assessment and secure an interview for promotion were hampered on the day[8]. Some candidates believe that their rivals for promotion re-sat the test for a second time two days later, which they think afforded an advantage to those candidates[9]. However, PublicJobs has confirmed that it believes no unfairness arose and no candidate was disadvantaged, regardless of the circumstances in which some candidates re-sat the assessment[10].
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) confirmed it was made aware of the problems[11]. The AGSI believes that any of the candidates who experienced problems could have re-sat the assessment[12]. The competition for Garda promotions, initially intended for 21 superintendents' posts and now up to 50, is being run by PublicJobs[13]. The competition was also open to members of the PSNI[7].
Despite the reported problems, all parties involved, including AGSI, PublicJobs, and the Garda's executive director, Yvonne Cooke, have confirmed the integrity of the competition and that no unfairness arose and no candidate was disadvantaged[14]. Further official Garda publications or investigative reports would be needed for a definitive answer regarding the allegations of unfair advantage.
References:
- RTE News
- Irish Examiner
- The Guardian
- PublicJobs
- Irish Times
- Irish Examiner
- Irish Examiner
- Irish Times
- Irish Times
- Irish Times
- Irish Times
- Irish Times
- Irish Examiner
- Irish Examiner
Candidates contest the fairness of the sports competition for Garda promotions, alleging that certain individuals may have had an unfair advantage during the assessment phase.Despite the reported problems within the online sports competition for Garda promotions, relevant authorities, including PublicJobs, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), and the Garda's executive director, Yvonne Cooke, have asserted the integrity of the process and denied any charges of unfair advantage.
