Garda Superintendents say they are frustrated in their work because they are constrained by bureaucracy, limited resources, and ever-growing demands.
They will tell the Minister for Justice at their annual conference today that while they acknowledge his commitment, the reality is that progress on key issues has been slow, too often delayed, and at times, entirely absent.
They are particularly critical of the current Operating Policing Model which they say has weakened community links, forced many Superintendents to double job and stretched them beyond capacity.
The President of the Association of Garda Superintendents, Superintendent Colm Murphy, says that in spite of warnings about the model last year, nothing has changed, and Superintendents are losing their links with local communities and their personnel.
This, he says, requires "immediate attention."
The Crowe report identified supervision as one of the issues that led to traffic gardaí not bothering to do their jobs and displaying a lack of interest in doing it.
'Structural flaws' in Roads Policing
The Superintendents say there are "structural flaws" in the supervisory structure in Roads Policing with Inspectors reporting directly to Divisional Chief Superintendents thereby bypassing the Superintendent rank.
The Inspectors previously reported to Regional Traffic Superintendents before the system was changed.
They also say there are simply not enough superintendents in An Garda Síochána because while the law provides for 191, at present there are thirty fewer than their should be.
An increase they say is "urgently required."
Other issues of concern to Superintendents include the provision of Legal Expenses Insurance and Psychological Support Services.
They say their members "remain exposed" to face "recurring legal challenges without the necessary protections" and that Superintendents are now under "very real strain" from "carrying the weight" of their policing responsibilities.
Superintendent Murphy says proposals for enhanced psychological support and a structured "panel of friends" system "need to be resourced and supported by government in a meaningful, long-term way."
He also says the exclusion of Superintendents who are "available 24/7, 365" from pay negotiations "is neither fair nor sustainable" and that they are "committed to constructive engagement."
