Garda sergeants and inspectors have strongly criticised the current system of garda suspensions where members can remain out of work for years, saying it is failing both the organisation and gardaí.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) is calling for an independent review of all suspensions after 12 months because investigations are taking too long to conclude.
The association has also raised concerns about the pressure the forthcoming EU Presidency will put on garda resources, the abuse of gardaí on social media and the road traffic legislation in relation to drink driving.
Garda sergeants and inspectors will gather for their annual conference in Westport, Co Mayo, amidst what they say is an evolving policing landscape with sustained pressures and increasing demands in economic and cybercrime and on frontline policing.
They say they have no confidence in the current suspension policies whereby gardaí can remain out of work for years waiting for investigations to conclude with many having no case to answer.
They want an independent review of each case after 12 months.
They are also concerned about what they say is the growing level of abuse of gardaí online, with people individually targeted and in some cases their identities, homes and families exposed.
They say urgent supports, guidance and protections must be put in place.
On policing the forthcoming EU Presidency, the sergeants and inspectors say there will be "unprecedented pressure" on garda resources from July to December and warn that "crime will not stop" while gardaí "are already stretched".
They are seeking assurances from the Government and garda management that the organisation has the capacity to meet these demands without impacting day-to-day policing.
They say the housing crisis is having an impact on gardaí with an increasing number relying on Housing Assistance Payments because of the difficulties they face in securing accommodation, which has also made it more difficult to retain staff.
The AGSI is calling on the Government to examine the reintroduction of housing supports to ensure members can live and work in the communities they serve.
It said historic practices when An Garda Síochána provided accommodation to its members and gardaí lived in stations should be examined.
The association also wants all new garda recruits to be fully vetted prior to commencing their training in Templemore and the road traffic legislation amended to allow a sample to be taken from a suspected intoxicated driver within five hours of driving rather than within the current three-hour limit.
