COMMUNITY POLICING: Chinese hopes

Roger Luo has spent almost a third of his life in Ireland

Roger Luo has spent almost a third of his life in Ireland. He came here from Zhengzhou in central China when he was 17, and is now 25, and he has already applied to join the Garda Síochána.

"I think every child has a dream to be in a uniform," he explained.

"I think it would be good to serve the Chinese community. The Chinese community is looking forward to the day when the gangsters among it are dealt with."

He thinks it is difficult for Irish police to know what Chinese people are thinking and to recognise when Chinese people are lying.

READ MORE

Chinese police officers are needed to deal with crime within that community, which is a serious problem for members of that community.

His first language is Mandarin, but since coming to Ireland he has also learned Cantonese, spoken by people in the south of the country, so he feels he could deal with the entire community.

"I have applied online, and got an application number. My test is November 22nd. If I pass the first stage, I'll know in a month."

Two other Chinese, both students like Roger, also participated in the workshop, but must wait before they can apply.

Galen Geoxiaokon has been in Ireland for under four years, and Amber Guo for 4½.

They also expressed the desire to serve their community as members of the Garda.

"There is a lot of discussion in the Chinese community about this," said Galen. Joining the force is also seen as a permanent commitment to Ireland, they both said. "If you join you have to stay here for the rest of your life. It's a career, not just a job," said Amber.

Four Sikhs, two wearing their distinctive turbans and two bare-headed, also attended the workshop. There are over 1,000 Sikhs in Ireland, with a similar number in Northern Ireland.

Three of the four are students and one, Salwinder Singh, has worked full-time in a security company for five years, while the others work part-time in security.

Sikhs have a tradition of joining police forces the world over, starting in their native India. Why is this?

"One part of the Sikh religion is fighting for justice, so we like to be involved in law enforcement or the army," said Salwinder Singh.