Student gardai training at Templemore are to be sworn in early as part of a new coronavirus policing plan.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris announced the unprecedented measures this morning.
Gardai say they’re going to be patrolling supermarkets after scenes of panic buying because of #covid19 #coronavirus
Commissioner Drew Harris doesn’t think it’ll turn to looting pic.twitter.com/CRW5CA6mWY— Stephen Murphy (@Stephen_Murphy5) March 13, 2020
325 students at the Tipperary facility will skip the final months of their training and become fully qualified gardai immediately.
Meanwhile, any officers due to retire in April will be offered the chance to stay on for another 3 months.
210 extra vehicles are also being hired.
Gardai are to increase patrols at Supermarkets as shoppers continue to panic buy.
Despite scenes of panic buying yesterday, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris doesn't believe people will turn to looting:
"People nee not remain calm about the food supply, and therefore the fear of looting should not arise."
Commissioner Harris says Gardai will have a presence at supermarkets, but this is being done Wprimarily to provide reassure and to help with traffic flow.W
He says they do not have a fear of an outbreak of disorder or looting.
