Róisín Shortall
Question:612. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if a copy of the current An Garda Síochána policy on community policing will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40434/20]
View answerTuesday, 1 December 2020
Questions (612)
Written answers
The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter and will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
SUBSTANTIVE ANSWER:
I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 612 for answer on 1 December 2020, in which you requested if a copy of the current An Garda Síochána policy in relation to community policing will be provided.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information was available.
The requested information has now been provided by An Garda Síochána and accordingly, please note the following.
Community Policing is defined as the provision of a policing service to the whole community both urban and rural through a partnership based, proactive, problem solving style of policing. It is focused on community engagement, crime prevention and law enforcement that addresses crime and policing quality of life issues which affect the community. Nationally there is a mix of blended and dedicated Community Policing Gardaí.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána’s New Framework for Community Policing will establish Community Policing Areas (CPAs) in every Garda Division in the country. Community Policing Gardaí will be assigned to Community Policing Teams (CPTs) and will be supported by specialist units within the Garda Division. This will ensure an organisational wide, problem solving approach to community needs. The Framework will be supported locally by the supervision of Community Policing Sergeants and Inspectors. The Community Engagement Superintendent will be responsible for the management of resources and delivery of a community policing service. The Chief Superintendent will ensure effective governance through regular review and performance accountability.
Pilot programmes under the new Framework for Community Policing are currently implemented in four Divisions:
- DMR South Central
- Mayo
- Galway
- Cork City
The pilots commenced in November 2019 and management briefings were delivered to each of these four divisions by the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau (GNCEB). Training was also delivered to Community Gardaí in each of these pilot areas.
Further rollout of this New Community Policing Framework is planned for 2021.
In addition to this New Community Policing Framework, on 13 November I announced that my Department will pilot three Local Community Safety Partnerships in Dublin’s North Inner City, in Longford and in Waterford. These Partnerships are the structures proposed in my Department’s new Community Safety Policy to take a holistic approach to safety issues in partnership with the community.
They will operate at local authority administrative level and will be made up of local representatives, a range of local services including An Garda Síochána, community representatives and residents. Local Community Safety Partnerships will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner and addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community.
For information, I have enclosed a copy of the current Community Policing Framework Guidelines.
I trust this information is of assistance.