John Brady
Question:867. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice to detail what is understood by her Department and the gardaí as constituting community policing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12216/24]
View answerWednesday, 20 March 2024
Questions (867)
Written answers
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 out in all 21 Divisions, and is fully commenced in ten.
As the Deputy may be aware the Community Policing Framework was introduced by the Garda Commissioner in 2020. In developing the Framework, An Garda Síochána engaged with key stakeholders, internal and external, to identify the policing requirements of communities.
An Garda Síochána listened to the guidance from their oversight agencies and carefully considered the recommendations contained in relevant reports on delivery of a community policing service (Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland’s report, ‘The Future of Policing in Ireland, 2018’; Garda Síochána Inspectorate Report, ‘Crime Investigation, 2014’ and ‘Policing with Local Communities 2018’; and the KC Consulting Report on Community Policing 2017).
The Framework is accompanied by Community Policing Framework Guidelines for each and every member of An Garda Síochána and Garda staff. The guidelines provide An Garda Síochána with key principles that must be adhered to in order to deliver an effective community policing service, responsive to the needs of a modern and diverse community.
As defined in the guidelines, Community policing is 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 and addresses crime and policing quality of life issues affecting communities.