Agsi questions safety of gardaí’s Tetra radio system
Garda sergeants and inspectors have called into question the safety of the force’s Tetra radio system, saying some experts have likened using it inside a vehicle or Garda station to “being inside a microwave oven”
The Irish TImes just communicated that Garda sergeants and inspectors have called into question the safety of the force’s Tetra radio system, saying some experts have likened using it inside a vehicle or Garda station to “being inside a microwave oven”
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (Agsi) said there were real concerns for the safety of every member of the force using the system, especially the hand held walkie talkie radios.
“The Tetra system we have is not for general consumption among the public,” said Agsi vice president Willie Gleeson at the association’s annual conference in Trim, Co Meath, on Tuesday morning.
“ The police; some people will see them as guinea pigs in using this system, and particularly in relation to hand held terminals.
“For example, they should never be used inside in vehicles, where possible. They shouldn’t be used inside in buildings or in stations where possible, because the aerial which is transmitting and receiving is inside with you.”
He said other radio systems used inside vehicles or buildings operated off external aerials.
“There may also be issues in relation to people living and working near terminals and near radio installations and aerials. And that’s a matter that we would simply want more information on.
“Some experts describe using a walkie talkie hand held inside a car as the same as being inside a microwave oven.
“And the only protection you have really is the glass, or windows, if they’re wound down.”
Mr Gleeson questioned if studies had been carried out into the safety of the systems before they had been introduced for use in Irish policing.
Agsi president Tim Galvin said many of his members were concerned at the reform of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 which provided for, among other things, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and Garda Inspectorate.
