This book offers a radical new analysis of the familiar components of the Garda Siochana, including: its hierarchical structure, recruitment, education and training, promotion, discipline, functions, state security role, political governance and accountability. In his methodical and incisive analysis the author exposes how the force has always been based on a ëpolice stateí as distinct from a ëconsensusí model of policing. It is only in the past 10 to 15 years, however, that this aspect of the Garda organisation has begun to impact on the public consciousness as the traditional ties between Garda and communities have begun to break down. As one scandal follows another the government has sought to restore the consensus image of the force through reforms based in the Garda Siochana Act 2005. The authorís critique of the Act and associated reforms reveals that they are likely to be counter-productive in so far as they will actually drag the Garda Siochana more deeply into the ëpolice stateí model. He advocates much more radical reforms including: the removal of the Garda Siochana as the state security service; the development of a judicial police as part of the force; the establishment of an independent Garda Authority as part of the governance of the force; and the creation of a real Garda ombudsman to deal with complaints and concerns about corruption. Series: Justice in Controversy Series