Garda Síochána Analysis Service

The Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) was established in 2007 and is a national, operational support service. GSAS is the centre of expertise for turning internal and externally sourced data into information and insight that both directly supports investigations and management decisions. GSAS Analysts are embedded directly as part of investigation teams across the crime, policing and intelligence spectrum.  GSAS also publishes reports based on data analytics to support specific discussions with key stakeholders which will form the basis for the direct publication of open data and related analysis in the future. 

GSAS reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), who oversees the Data and Technology Region, and sits under the remit of Deputy Commissioner Policing and Security (Operations).  GSAS provides support across the organisation including at regional level for the four geographic regions of An Garda Síochána and also across national and specialist units including: Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS) and Organised and Serious Crime (OSC) which includes the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB).  GSAS Analysts are co-located with the region or unit they support in various locations nationwide, there is also national support team based at Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park. 

GSAS has recently embarked upon a programme of development and expansion in line with recommendations contained within the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, 2018 and A Policing Service for the our Future (APSFF).  It is planned for GSAS to expand significantly in order to support information-led policing across all divisions as well as additional national and specialist units.  This will include the recruitment of additional staff at grades across GSAS; the chart below shows the full planned GSAS organisational structure which allows for career progression within this specialist area.

GSAS Analyst Roles:

Analysts are assigned to work within a variety of areas which are further outlined below.  Individuals join GSAS from varied educational and employment backgrounds which is one of the greatest strengths of GSAS.  Common to all roles is the ability to work with data, investigate trends and being able to produce clear and concise products for communication. 

•        OSC Crime Analysts:  Crime Analysts attached to Organised and Serious Crime support the teams within this region, which include the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, Garda National Protective Services Bureau and Garda National Economic Crime Bureau.  OSC Crime Analysts are embedded in their assigned bureaus and work closely with the teams on serious crime investigations and operations conducting a variety of work including network analysis, content analysis and mapping. 
•       Regional Analysts:  Regional Analysts support all policing functions of the Region and therefore have a broad remit.  This includes regular reporting to managers to inform decision making, supporting operational policing through the analysis of patterns and trends in high volume crime and supporting complex investigations by analysing evidence from a wide range of sources. 
•      Strategic Analysts:  Strategic Analysts support organisational objectives and priorities through the production of detailed reporting on topics of national importance.  Strategic Analysts also produce regular periodic reporting for senior management, internal and external stakeholders, ensuring key decision makers have the data necessary to make informed decisions in areas of importance.  Analysts working in this area are also tasked with providing the necessary data and analysis for proactive publication as well as to respond to parliamentary questions and media queries. 
•      Intelligence Analysts:  Intelligence Analysts support the understanding and prevention of threats by carrying out detailed analyses on intelligence from a variety of sources.  Intelligence Analysts maintain a working knowledge of domestic and international events that may impact the general threat environment.  This role also involves the preparation of briefing material for senior leadership and government to communicate developments and inform decision making. 
•      Roads Policing Analysts:  Roads Policing Analysts support all functions of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau.  This includes providing the evidence base for Roads Policing operations, reviewing and analysing operations to assess whether performance targets and objectives were realised and providing ongoing support to external stakeholders in the area of road safety.  Roads Policing Analysts also provide regular monthly reporting to Regional and Divisional level and the provision of information of public interest through proactive publication, parliamentary questions and media queries. 
•     Data Science Analysts:  Data Science Analysts support information led policing by extracting and surfacing insights using cutting edge big data, spatial analysis and business intelligence platforms.  Domain knowledge coupled with machine learning/natural language processing deepen our understanding of crime patterns and inform preventative crime strategies.  

Testimonials

“I've been able to draw on my background to aid in everything from investigation of murders, to helping formulate strategies to reduce theft of bicycles.  One of the most striking things about the role is the sheer breadth of it.  This has meant not only that different aspects of the job appeal to different people, but also that it draws in people with vastly different skillsets and we all learn from each other, challenging each other to stretch ourselves in new ways.” (Senior Analyst, HEO). 

“Job satisfaction is very important to me and I find my role as an Analyst provides me with this on a daily basis.  The workload is varied and interesting and ultimately very fulfilling.  Whether this comes in the form of carrying out crime trend analysis or involvement in investigations, the potential is there for me to play my part in either preventing crime occurring or helping investigations reach a positive conclusion.” (Analyst, EO) 

The Garda Research Unit

The Garda Research Unit (GRU) is a specialised section that sits within GSAS.  Established in 1994 in order that research in AGS would become increasingly systematic and strategic, the unit now provides a dedicated research function which conducts police-related research, supports research by others and makes research findings widely available.  At present, the GRU is staffed by two researchers with plans to expand capacity.  Specifically, their role involves conducting research relevant to An Garda Síochána, its practices and operations, thus contributing to the organisation’s strategic direction.  The core responsibilities are to conduct evidenced-based research which will inform decision-making at senior Garda level and support the Strategy Statement and Policing Plan.  In addition, the unit produces An Garda Síochána’s Public Attitudes Survey and liaises with researchers (including universities, government departments, non-state bodies and individual third-level researchers) and AGS employees seeking access to An Garda Síochána for research purposes.  The GRU also represent AGS at CEPOL (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training) and are involved in training.  The varied role provides opportunity to support operational policing and to collaborate with external stakeholders.   

Interested in joining the GSAS team?

All recruitment to GSAS is by way of specialist competition followed by a bespoke induction programme.  GSAS offers a unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of data and information as well as high job satisfaction in being able to make a contribution to all aspects of operational policing as part of our organisational mission of Keeping People Safe.  Open competitions are held periodically and are advertised on PublicJobs.ie.