13 hours ago
Policing model ‘an unmitigated disaster and unfit for purpose'
The Operational Policing Model (OPM), in place since 2019, has been an 'unmitigated disaster and is not fit for purpose', the Oireachtas Justice Committee will be told today.
The OPM was introduced as part of the Government's reform programme, titled 'A Policing Service for Our Future', which emerged from the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Both the Garda Representative Association (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) will today outline their ongoing opposition to the new model.
The general secretary of the GRA, Ronan Slevin, will say: 'The aim of this model was to modernise AGS [An Garda Síochána], by decentralising decision-making, enhancing community engagement, and improving frontline visibility. This has proved to be an unmitigated disaster and is not fit for purpose.' Ronan Slevin, General Secretary. Pic Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
Mr Slevin will add: 'This has created super-sized divisions that span across many counties and has starved communities of local stations and policing. In many ways, division is the key word here, as that is exactly what this model has caused between our trusted, dedicated members and the public and communities that they serve.
'Prior to the implementation of the OPM, Ireland possessed the most desired model of community policing in the policing world. As a result of the OPM, the local garda has been stripped from the community.
'Where previously the majority of incidents in country areas were investigated by the local garda, which resulted in increased local knowledge, now, under the OPM, most incidents, while investigated, are done so by gardaí stationed miles away with little or no knowledge of the community, and no real reason to expand that knowledge.' Pic: Collins Photos
The AGSI, will say it is the 'resounding view' of its membership that the OPM has had a 'profoundly negative' effect on policing, and warn that it is 'well known' there is significant public dissatisfaction with the service delivery provided by the gardaí following its introduction.
They will say it has been adapted from similar models utilised internationally, but will add that a 'fundamental and fatal flaw' is the architects of the Irish version 'failed to take account' of the unique policing and geographical requirements in this jurisdiction.
It will say: 'The AGSI are now of the view the current operating model has negatively affected interactive community policing in this country.
'It is no surprise international police forces have recognised the fundamental flaws with the operating model and are withdrawing from this and returning to more traditional policing models.'
The AGSI will acknowledge that there have been some 'positive developments' that have arisen out of the operating model, such as business services hubs, which transfer administration tasks to Garda staff.
The association will say: 'The creation of Divisional Protective Service Units has been a very positive development for the organisation. However, this is an initiative that was not reliant on the introduction of the operating model and could have been established under the previous traditional policing model.'
On retention, the AGSI will warn 'excessive' oversight and social media are some of the 'causes' affecting Garda morale. The GRA, meanwhile, will say there remains a 'massive issue with morale' with little action taken to address it.
It will say that the continuous issuing of policies and procedures that members must comply with, and the excessive use of discipline and suspension, have resulted in members being in fear of receiving any form of complaint, as there is little trust in the discipline process.
