An Garda Síochána has published both its Strategy Statement 2010 – 2012, which outlines the policing priorities and objectives for the next three years
Also published is the Policing Plan 2010 which sets out key objectives for the first year of the Strategy Statement.
Speaking at Garda Headquarters today, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said:
“The Strategy Statement sets out our medium to long-term goals and objectives while the Policing Plan focuses attention on our policing priorities for 2010.
The Policing Plan highlights key areas to which we will direct resources and activity this year including national security, roads policing and community policing. Goal Two: Confronting Crime goes to the heart of our daily work in reducing crime and the fear of crime. Key actions under this goal include tackling organised crime through targeted, intelligence-led operations as well as reducing crimes against people and property through crime prevention and reduction activities combined with meaningful and active engagement with the community.”
Referring to the significant investment in technology and human resources made in recent years, the Commissioner said:
“As a modern progressive organisation, An Garda Síochána is fully committed to using all available resources to meet our over-riding objective, which is to prevent, detect and disrupt crime and criminal activity and to ensure that people feel safe in their homes, on our roads and in public places.
The recruitment of extra gardaí in recent years has facilitated an expansion of teams in areas such as roads policing and community policing. Unprecedented investment in information technology is enabling the rollout of a national digital radio, the upgrading of the computer aided dispatch system in the Dublin region and significant enhancements to other Garda Information Systems including the Automated Fingerprint Identification System and other critical technical investigative tools.”
The development of the Garda Strategy Statement – the second to be prepared in accordance with Section 21 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 - has involved wide-ranging engagement with relevant stakeholders, agencies and of course with communities, together with a comprehensive internal consultation process.
Highlighting the crucial importance of An Garda Síochána’s relationship with the community, the Garda Commissioner concluded:
“An Garda Síochána has a long established tradition of working closely with communities all across Ireland. The community must remain at the core of everything that we do, because they are our greatest ally in detecting and preventing crime. Indeed, building and maintaining close relationships with communities is a key indicator of the effectiveness of any police force.
During the lifetime of this Strategy, we will continue to listen to, act and work with the community. We will develop an increased level of community partnerships, while ensuring a more visible Garda presence and a reduction in crime and the fear of crime in our communities”
Note to Editors:
The Strategy Statement 2010 – 2012 and the Policing Plan are available to download on the Garda website (www.garda.ie) in the Publications section.
ENDS.
Garda Press Office
