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FOUR NEW DIVISIONAL PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNITS GO LIVE

FOUR NEW DIVISIONAL PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNITS GO LIVE

- Will provide a consistent and professional approach to the investigation of domestic and sexual crimes across the country.

- Cabra, Clondalkin, Anglesea St and Dundalk are first locations - Move marks delivery of key pledge in Garda’s modernisation programme Four new Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) will go live across three Garda divisions today, marking a new chapter in the investigation of specialised crime types.

This represents another milestone in An Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal programme and is one of a number of initiatives designed to improve our policing service to the public. The units are based in Cabra, Clondalkin, Anglesea Street (Cork) and Dundalk. They are the first to be established as part of a phased nationwide roll-out of DPSUs in all Garda divisions with Phase 2 commencing in 2018.

DPSUs, which are a major commitment in An Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme, will deliver a consistent and professional approach to the investigation of specialised crime types, including sexual crime, human trafficking, child abuse and domestic abuse. DPSUs will also focus on the provision of support for vulnerable victims of crime, including enhanced collaboration with the Child and Family Agency to safeguard children. 

DPSUs will go live in the remaining 25 Garda divisions from the beginning of next year. The DPSUs will be supported on an advisory level by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. Speaking today, Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey said this project will impact positively on Garda members and the public. "Today marks a significant step forward in the provision of protective services for vulnerable people in Ireland. It means that people who are victims of a range of crimes, including sexual, domestic  or child abuse, prostitution and human trafficking can expect a more professional and consistent service from the Gardaí. Equally our response to the investigation of missing persons, children who are missing in care, and sex offenders will be enhanced by the establishment of DPSUs,” said Deputy Twomey.  "It will also provide us with an opportunity to place vulnerable victims of crime at the centre of the Garda service, which is in line with our stated ethos of providing a more victim-centred, empathetic and meaningful service to the people who need it most. It also reaffirms our commitment that there is no place for deferential treatment in modern Irish policing.” Noeline Blackwell, CEO Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said: "Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has waited for these units for a long time.  We are pleased to see four units being rolled out. We need well informed, well trained Gardaí to effectively combat sexual, domestic and gender based violence. We need victims to be confident that if they work up the courage to report, their cases will be investigated in a consistently high quality manner. These units are structured to provide that. We hope that now that the roll out programme has started it will continue so that victims of sexual crime everywhere will have access to these Protective Service Units.” Maeve Lewis, Chief Executive One in Four said: "One in Four warmly welcomes the roll-out of Protective Service Units in three Garda Divisions. 

We believe that the specialist training provided to Gardaí in the DPSUs will improve the experience of survivors of child sexual abuse in engaging with the Gardai, and hopefully will encourage more people to come forward.  The DPSUs will also ensure that Gardaí investigating these very serious crimes will be equipped with the knowledge and skills that these complex cases require." Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) said: "NWCI welcomes the establishment of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs). We know from women throughout the country how difficult it is to report domestic, physical and sexual violence and the new divisional units are a significant positive step forward to changing that experience and supporting women through the criminal justice system.  Having a dedicated service for women who have experienced domestic and sexual violence will support women in reporting these crimes and having greater confidence in the services provided by An Garda Síochána. The units will contribute to women staying in the system and thus reducing the high attrition rates for cases of domestic and sexual violence.”

There will be up to 15 personnel attached to each of the units. This will include an Inspector, two Detective Sergeants, 10 detective Gardai and two administrative staff, with a small number being allocated on a phased basis. The four new units going live today will be commencing Phase 1 of the initiative – an ‘assessment and evaluation’ phase. Regular assessments will be made to review implementation progress. Lessons learned from phase 1 will then be incorporated into the deployment of further phases. Deputy Commissioner Twomey added: "Additional benefits provided by DPSUs are that it will ensure An Garda Síochána works with key strategic partners, such as the Child and Family Agency, in the investigation of crimes and support of victims in the identified areas. It will also allow us to foster a collaborative working relationship through a policing response to the investigation of crime and support for victims.” The full list of crime types and service areas that will be for consideration by the Divisional Protective Service Units are: • Sexual Crime Investigation • Online Child Exploitation Investigation • Child Protection, Crimes against Children and Child Welfare • Domestic Abuse Intervention and Investigation • Human Trafficking Investigation • Organised Prostitution Investigation • Specialist Interviewing • Sex Offender Management • Missing Persons • Missing Children in Care • Support for Victims of Crime • Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (ViCLAS).

Editor’s Note Representatives from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau will be available for interview today. To arrange, please contact the Garda Press Office pressoffice@garda.ie