Garda To Restructure With Increased Front-Line Officers

An Garda Síochána has today announced plans to restructure the force with increased numbers of front-line officers and a new operating model.

Changes to the processes and governance will see a more localised service delivered to communities, more officers on the front-line and operational impact maximised.

The restructuring will take place over national, regional and local levels in the hope of placing a greater focus on community policing based on local needs.

It will allow greater supervision, better resources, less paperwork, and more career opportunities for members and staff. It will also make best use of an expanding workforce and investment in ICT.

There will be a reduction in administrative structures, the introduction of community policing teams dedicated to working with communities to identify and tackle problem crimes in their area, a greater range of specialised services such as economic crime and cyber-crime being delivered locally, and enhanced local investigation of serious crimes and crimes against the vulnerable such as sexual crime.

2,090 Gardaí have been recruited since 2017, and a further 478 have been re-deployed to the front-line. A further 1,500 Garda members are expected to be recruited between now and 2021, with an additional 1,000 Gardaí re-assigned to the front-line. 
In addition, from 2017 to 2019, 1,070 Garda civilian staff have been recruited and a further 1,265 are expected to recruited by end of 2021.

Commissioner Drew Harris said: "Reduced bureaucracy and ICT initiatives combined with an increase in Garda members and Garda staff will increase Garda visibility in communities. It will mean Gardaí at all ranks will have more time to engage with local communities and stakeholders to help keep people safe.

"These changes will deliver a more visible, localised and responsive policing service. What won't change though is the strong connection we have with local communities."

Under this model, decision making for policing delivery will be devolved from the centre to the regions and divisions.

Divisions will increase in size, will be operationally autonomous, and will be the key to policing delivery. 
A Division will be typically made up of around 600 to 800 personnel. This will ensure each Division has the resources and skills to deliver a wider range of community policing and specialist services based on the demand in their area.

Regions and divisions will have greater control over how policing is delivered, while working to a corporate framework and oversight from the centre. The focus of the centre will be on supporting regions and divisions.

This model has been recommended by both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and the Garda Inspectorate, and echoes the views of our personnel gathered through extensive consultation. The restructure reflects international policing best practice as well as the realities of modern-day policing in Ireland, the changing nature of crime, and population trends.

This process has already started as part of the implementation of 'A Policing Service for the Future', with the introduction of the new local policing model in four Divisions – Kevin Street, Cork city, Galway and Mayo.

It will continue on Monday 26 August with the new regional structure of four regions.

The reduction in Divisions from 28 to 19 will also now commence on a phased basis. The new structure will be implemented throughout 2020.



(JG/CM)