Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:52. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of community gardaí assigned to the Bandon, Bantry and Clonakilty districts. [60514/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 December 2022
Ceisteanna (52)
Freagraí scríofa
An Garda Síochána takes pride in being a community police service, with strong links to the communities it serves built on a culture of policing by consent.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation, including decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am, however, assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimal use.
To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. 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.
Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.
I can inform the Deputy that as of 31 October 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 4 Gardaí assigned to community policing in Cork West Division, which includes the districts of Bandon, Bantry, Clonakilty and Macroom.