Mystery surrounds resignation of controversial chief garda analyst Laurence Scanlan
John Mooney
January 5 2020, 12:01am, The Sunday Times
Garda Headquarters last week confirmed Scanlan had resignedPATRICK CUMMINS
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The recenty appointed head of the Garda Siochana Analysis Service (GSAS) resigned from his position before Christmas following a series of controversies in the service, which provides analytical support to the force.
The Policing Authority announced the appointment of Laurence Scanlan to lead the GSAS in late July following an international competition to fill the post after Gurchand Singh was promoted to chief information officer at the Department of Justice.
Scanlan joined the force as a principal officer having previously worked as a strategic adviser and intelligence specialist with the Victoria Police in Australia.
His resignation was preceded by a series of controversies in the GSAS, according to security sources. One issue concerned his desire to turn the service into a semi-autonomous intelligence analysis agency.
Shortly after his appointment, Scanlan sought to rebrand the GSAS by replacing the garda badge with that of a rose, an ancient symbol of secrecy sometimes used by intelligence services. He instructed GSAS staff to use a rose emblem on all correspondence and reports created by the service, though his instruction was ultimately ignored.
Scanlan also sought to have responsibility for the GSAS transferred from the forceās security and intelligence branch to his direct control. This move was resisted by Michael OāSullivan, the assistant commissioner in charge of security and intelligence, and members of the forceās executive management team. Garda commissioner Drew Harris was briefed on the issue.
Scanlan is understood to have left Ireland and possibly moved to the United States after garda staff raised a series of separate issues about his approach to running the GSAS. Scanlan subsequently emailed his staff advising them to deal with a colleague until further notice before vacating his office, according to sources with knowledge of the events.
The GSAS provides analytical support to garda departments and investigations to enhance both operational and strategic policing initiatives.
Garda Headquarters last week confirmed Scanlan had resigned. A spokesman said it was not policy to comment on any individualās recruitment process. The Policing Authority said it did not comment on individual members or staff of the Garda Siochana. The Department of Justice and Equality also said it was unable to comment on internal garda matters. The Sunday Times was unable to contact Scanlan for comment.
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