Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 2

Written Answers. - Community Police Force.

Noel Ahern

Question:

150 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the study or examination, if any, which has taken place on the concept of having an auxiliary or community based police force whereby members of the community could assist gardaí on community employment schemes or on a voluntary or part-time basis; his views in this regard; and if he will introduce this in some disadvantaged area where there is a high level of anti-social behaviour and where current police methods cannot adequately cope. [13439/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am assuming from the Deputy's question that a community polic force under the control of the Garda Síochána would be along the idea of a reserve police force.

The question of the establishment of such a force has been considered from time to time. However, it is not clear that any possible advantage arising from the establishment of such a force would outweigh potential difficulties which arise from it. For example, one would have to be concerned with the rights of individuals faced with a new law enforcement group who would initially lack the expertise and training of full-time police.

A reserve police force would also cost money and, given the potential difficulties and the problems of acceptability of such a force, I am in no doubt that the money would be better spent in providing increased capacity for the Garda Síochána. This can be achieved through the recruitment of additional gardaí and by increased civilianisation, thereby maximising the number of gardaí who can be released to operational duties. It is in line with this belief that the Government is committed to incresing the strength of the Garda Síochána to 12,000 members by 2002.

It has always been the policy of this Department and the Garda authorities to encourage all law abiding citizens to assist the gardaí in law enforcement. This policy is being implemented by the concept of community policing in the urban context where we have the community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes and various other community based voluntary initiatives. Neighbourhood Watch has been in operation in Ireland since 1985. There are currently over 2,600 schemes countrywide, covering over 410,000 homes. The schemes provide a sound basis for a partnership between the gardaí and the community, the aim of which is to prevent crime.

Community Alert is a community based initiative which aims to improve the life and security of people who are vulnerable, especially the elderly. It is often seen as a rural version of Neighbourhood Watch although it has, in fact, a far wider brief. The scheme is organised by Muintir na Tíre, a voluntary self-help body active in rural areas. The Community Alert network throughout the country comprises over 1,100 committees, and employs five development officers. As you may be aware, I allocated a grant of £80,000 to Muintir na Tíre in December 1998 to partly fund the cost of employing the development officers who organise the running of the Community Alert programme nationwide.

I am not convinced that a reserve police force is currently needed and I intend to commit the resources that we have in strengthening the Garda Síochána and in continuing our existing community policing initiatives.