A celebratory event for An Garda Síochána graduates from the BA in Applied Policing programme was held on the University of Limerick campus last Friday.
The event was held in the Kemmy Business School and was for the 1,835 Garda who graduated from UL in-absentia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UL Provost and Deputy President Professor Shane Kilcommins welcomed representatives from the Garda College and graduates from the BA in Applied Policing.
The purpose of the event was to acknowledge their academic achievement having successfully completed their studies during the pandemic.
Chief Superintendent Pat Murray, Superintendent Aidan Minnock and Superintendent Brian Murphy from Templemore Garda College were among those who attended the ceremony, together with Associate Vice President Student Engagement, Dr Patrick Ryan, Interim Executive Dean Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) Dr Sandra Joyce and colleagues from the AHSS faculty.
Professor Kilcommins said: “This was a wonderful day in the academic life of University of Limerick as we celebrated the success of these graduates and welcomed them back to campus, some for the first time as they studied remotely during the pandemic.
“We acknowledge their academic success and determination to complete their studies during a difficult time and it was wonderful to meet so many of them and celebrate their achievement.
“There is a very strong relationship between the University and An Garda Síochána already with UL accrediting a number of training programmes including, among others, a Postgraduate Diploma in Proceeds of Crime and Asset Identification.
“It builds on an already deep connection between UL and An Garda Síochána, which has enabled a deep relationship between practice and scholarship and we are very proud of the ongoing connection between the organisations,” Professor Kilcommins added.
Chief Superintendent and Director of Training in Templemore Pat Murray said: “This ceremony demonstrates the collaborative approach between University of Limerick and An Garda Síochána in publicly displaying a quest for excellence in the delivery of Police Training to all Garda Entrants who undergo the Foundation Training Programme as a mandatory component of organisational entry requirement.
“Working in collaboration with University of Limerick has harnessed an opportunity to nurture a culture of transparency and accountability while professionalising Police Training to allow improved Policing Services to Communities right across the country.
“The success of the collaborative approach in relation to this programme has allowed An Garda Síochána deepen its links with University of Limerick in further professionalism across a number of areas of Police Training in Post Graduate courses delivered in specialist policing areas.”
UL accredits the Garda Siochana level 7 and level 9 training programmes; it provides an online level 8 top up programme in Applied Policing for members of An Garda Síochána, and an MA in Serious Crime Investigation for those serious crime investigators who have completed the postgraduate diploma in serious crime investigation. UL also has an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, and an LLM/MA in Criminal Justice and Human Rights.
UL and the Criminal Assets Bureau also work together on a Postgraduate Diploma in Proceeds of Crime and Asset Identification.
