Trust in force high and fleet at its largest, says garda report
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has launched a report outlining what he says is how gardaí have been transformed over the past seven years under his stewardship.
The report entitled 'Transforming An Garda Síochána 2018-2024' says a wide range of significant changes have been rolled out while Commissioner Harris was in his role.
He is due to retire in two months and was accompanied at the launch today by the two assistant garda commissioners who have both applied to succeed him.
The report says over 15,000 mobility devices have been issued to gardaí, while 700 body worn cameras are being piloted.
It also says the garda fleet at 3,672 vehicles - which includes two water canon, ASU vehicles, Public Order and Community Engagement vans - is the largest it has ever been and that public trust in the force stands at 89%.
Gardaí say the report was compiled to provide an organisational account of the implementation of the 'A Policing Service for Our Future' programme in An Garda Síochána, a key recommendation of which was the delivery of the garda operating model.
The operating model, which replaces the previous organisational structure in place since the foundation of An Garda Siochana, has now been rolled out to all 21 garda divisions and represents the biggest structural change to the organisation.
It has established four functional areas within each division, community engagement, performance assurance, crime and business services functions.
Garda Headquarters claims the operating model serves to enhance the service it provides to the public, particularly the most vulnerable in society.
It points to the investment in divisional protective service units which are in every garda division and says the model "has delivered for communities and in particular for victims of child abuse, serious sexual assault and domestic abuse."
However, this is disputed by all four Garda representative organisations representing gardaí, sergeants, inspectors and superintendents.
Rank and file gardaí say the operating model has failed and is not fit for purpose, describing it as "an unmitigated disaster where people are tied up in red tape and bureaucracy."
The AGSI has said the model has removed gardaí from the streets because they are now spending more time in garda stations doing paperwork, instead of being out on patrol.
They also say it is breaking the link between gardaí and their local community because local gardaí are being pulled to cover other areas and are not policing their own localities and getting to know the people in their own communities.
"While we have made progress, there is more to do"
The Garda Superintendents have also strongly criticised the model, saying the new areas of responsibility are too large, and that while one superintendent could be a kilometre from a serious crime, the officer to whom responsibility would be assigned could be 200km away.
The Association also says there are not enough officers to operate the model as it was envisioned, and that very often gardaí do not know who is in charge.
Garda Headquarters also says that since 2018, garda staff levels have increased by 51% and that this has released gardaí to front line duties, as well as provided additional support to operational gardaí.
However, the number of operational gardaí has only increased over those seven years by 260 - from 14,058 at the end of 2018 to 14,318 last Friday.
Commissioner Harris said this morning the report "provides an opportunity to reflect on the work that has been done over these past seven years to bring about really meaningful change in our organisation."
"While we have made progress, there is more to do," he said
However, the vast majority of rank and file gardaí who are members of the Garda Representative Association two years ago voted no confidence in Drew Harris as Garda Commissioner, by an overwhelming margin of 98%.
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