Latest news with #APolicingServiceforOurFuture
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Drew Harris says two new water cannons to be used in ‘extreme scenarios'
Gardaí are also planning to increase the capacity at Templemore so that 1,000 recruits can be attested every year. Commissioner Drew Harris was speaking today at the launch of a report into how An Garda Síochána has transformed in the seven years under his leadership. The report states that the number of garda staff has increased by 51pc while 700 body worn cameras are now used by gardaí on a pilot basis. It says an 'information led' approach has also resulted in almost 15,000 mobility devices being issued to gardaí, The organisations vehicle fleet is at its highest ever level after spending €75m in the last five years with more than 3,600 cars, armed support vehicles and public order vans, as well as two water cannons now available. The water cannon trucks have not yet been deployed but were on standby during a recent large demonstration in Dublin city centre. Each vehicle has two mounted water cannons and are operated by trained gardaí from the public order unit, while they also have a self-extinguishing water system if they are petrol bombed. Mr Harris said that they will be deployed in 'extreme scenarios' and, referring to the Dublin Riots and Coolock Riots, noted 'very violent incidents' that had occurred in recent years. He also said that Ireland holds the EU Presidency in 2026 and that they have to be prepared for 'any public order threats that might arise' during that. 'In a very violent situation, we need to make sure that we're not suffering members being injured, as opposed to having the vehicles and the equipment, including water cannons, which can probably deal with very violent disorder. So that's what they're there for,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT 'They're there for pretty extreme scenarios, but they're there to protect the public. They're there to protect members of An Garda Síochána who are engaged in public order policing. So, it is essential that we have them ourselves.' He also said it was important that the vehicles are adaptive for the streets around Dublin and elsewhere in Ireland where they might be used. The 'Transforming An Garda Síochána 2018-2024' report was compiled to provide an organisational account of the implementation of the 'A Policing Service for Our Future' programme. It notes that Garda staff have increased by 51pc since 2018, but that the number of attested gardaí between 2019 and 2024 has reduced from 14,307 to 14,125. The Garda Commissioner has said that they plan to increase the capacity of the Garda Training College in Templemore to ensure that 1,000 gardaí can graduate every year. 'How we're going to achieve that is really then back to our actual recruitment process. We've revamped all of our processes, to try and speed them up and try and bring people through the process quicker and actually make it more related to the vocation that it is.' So far 700 gardaí have piloted new body worn cameras which frontline personnel have described as the 'most important and invaluable' adaption to their personnel protective equipment in recent years. Gardaí have received a report on the pilot phase and will begin the process of rolling out the body worn cameras across the organisation by the end of this year. Mr Harris said that anecdotally there has been evidence of them reducing threats to frontline members while also acting as an investigative tool. 'I think it makes a difference in terms of just taking the temperature out of a situation when people are told that a camera is on, and those who have any sense at all realise their actions are being recorded, but some don't,' she said. 'And then this is very useful evidence, very appropriate evidence then, to bring before the courts. It gives the unvarnished, unalloyed description and representation of their behaviour at the scene. 'So that does make a difference. And we believe that it's really significant for us in terms of just speeding up criminal justice cases, but also helping on the ground and on the street-based situations.' A significant change has been the rollout of the operating model which has moved from localised focus at district level to larger autonomous divisions. Mr Harris rejected collective criticism of the model from policing representative bodies, and said they don't speak about the successes delivered under it. He said this included each division having a Detective Superintendent to oversee serious criminal investigations and Divisional Protective Services Unit to investigate sexual offences and domestic violence, as well as increasing the number of garda staff to free up attested garda members.
RTÉ News
9 hours ago
- RTÉ News
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%.
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Public trust in gardaí now at 89%
A new garda report shows that 700 body-worn cameras are now in operation across five stations in divisions in Dublin, Limerick, and Waterford, while 15,000 mobility devices have also been issued to gardaí. That's according to the 'Transforming An Garda Síochána 2018-2024' report which is published today, Monday, by Garda Headquarters. It also shows: 567 Garda stations are providing public services in communities; 3,672 vehicles are now in operation making it the largest fleet in garda history; Public trust of An Garda Síochána is now at 89%. The report sets out the journey of the transformation and growth taken by the gardaí since the publication of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) in 2018 which was guided by 10 key principles. Programme of reform It reflects a broad programme of reform from operational structures and systems to governance and standards as well as the ongoing transition and progress to date by gardaí — bringing about the biggest structural change in the gardaí. It details how divisional protective service units are now staffed by highly-trained specialist detectives and how this change has delivered for communities in particularly for victims of child abuse, serious sexual assault, and domestic abuse. The report also shows how: 75% of respondents agree that gardaí are community-focused; 82% say gardaí are focused on human rights and community-based approaches to policing; 4,000 Garda personnel have completed a University of Limerick-accredited course in policing and human rights law. New technology The report found that the issuing of 15,000 devices has minimised the time it takes to retrieve information on vehicles and people, as well as the issuing of fixed-charge notices. It also outlines how the development and implementation of new technology systems has ensured that when gardaí are dispatched to an incident all relevant information is available to them. Staff levels have also increased by 51% since 2018 which has helped release gardaí to front line duties as well as provide additional support to operational gardaí. Garda vetting The Garda vetting bureau is turning vetting applications around within eight days. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: "This report serves to document our transformation journey, while highlighting some key changes implemented by An Garda Síochána under A Policing Service for Our Future. "It 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. "And so, An Garda Síochána will continue to adapt to the needs of the public and we remain committed to delivering a modern, community-focused policing service to the people of Ireland.'
