Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
458. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to the community policing unit within R district of the DMR as of 13 May 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22884/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled across the country and is fully commenced in thirteen Garda divisions.
The new model will provide more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will divide service delivery within division into four functional areas, one of the most important areas being Community Engagement. This will allow for a greater, more consistent focus on community policing in all divisions.
The Garda authorities have advised that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT) and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality of life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement are working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or local business fora.
Community Policing Teams strategically manage and lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the Garda Community Policing Framework. Like most Garda members, those assigned to CPTs have dual functions. In addition to their strategic roles in their Community Policing Teams, part of which requires them to regularly update their Community Engagement Superintendent on the policing needs of their community, they are also frontline members. It is also important to note that CPTs draw on all frontline Gardaí to carry out community policing.
I very much welcome the interactive map launched late last year on the Garda website which is designed to allow the public to identify the local CPT in their area. This map will continue to develop in line with the continued rollout of the new Garda Operating Model.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 31 March 2024 there were 63 Community Gardaí assigned to the DMR North Division, of which 16 Community Gardaí were assigned to the R District.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out these Community Gardaí by rank.
|
Community Gardaí - R District |
Insp |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
Coolock |
0 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
Malahide |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Swords |
0 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
Total |
0 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change.
