A restructure of An Garda Síochána will deploy more Gardaí to frontline duties and increase policing presence in the community.
The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said community policing teams will work with people to identify and tackle crime in their area. The changes aim to put an extra 1,800 gardai on the frontline. There will be fewer superintendents but more sergeants and inspectors. While there should be very little difference felt among rank and nfile Gardai, the number of regions will be reduced from 6 to 4 while the number of divisions will fall from 28 to 19. Garda representative bodies say their members want more consultation about the plans.
Martin Murphy, a farmer in rural County Monaghan, has had machinery stolen from his land near the border. He wants to see more Gardaí on patrol. His local station used to have 25 officers but now has just one Garda.
More Gardaí on the ground would be a very very big help surely in this rural country here where we are.
The structural changes proposed have been described as the biggest transformation of An Gardaí in the history of the force. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris says that changes will provide a policing service that is bespoke to local needs.
Gardaí unions, however, say that they have not been consulted on the plans. Noel Cunningham, president of the Association of Garda Superintendents, raises concerns about how the plans will operate and how resources will be distributed geographically.
Concerns have also been raised by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) about the policing of roads under the new plans.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is now one year in the job and these plans allow him to put his stamp on the police force. The plans are due to be rolled over a three year period and should be in place for the centenary of An Garda Síochána in 2022.
Members of a retirement group in Monaghan town welcomed the plans. Jane Flynn believes that the plan will work if the Gardaí are freed up to solve crime rather than spending time on administration work. Agnes McElevaney says there is a need for greater visibility and Gardaí need to be seen on the beat.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 22 August 2019. The reporter is Samantha Libreri.
