Minister McEntee publishes 2019 Annual Report of An Garda Síochána
- Progress made in first year of implementation of A Policing Service for our Future including 344 Gardaí reassigned to frontline policing duties in 2019
- Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau seized illicit drugs worth over €21 million in 2019
- 2019 marked 60th anniversary of women joining An Garda Síochána
08 December 2020
The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has today published the 2019 Annual Report of An Garda Síochána. A major focus of Garda activity throughout the year was the commencement of the rolling out of ‘A Policing Service for our Future’, the Government’s implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which was published in December 2018.
Minister McEntee said,
“I would like to thank the Commissioner and all members and staff of An Garda Síochána for their positive engagement and ongoing work to ensure An Garda Síochána fully implements the vision outlined in ‘A Policing Service for our Future’. Reform can be difficult. However, implementation of the programme is not just in the best interests of the public, but also in the best interests of An Garda Síochána itself and of each and every individual who serves in it, and will ensure the delivery of a service which is modern, efficient, effective and fit for purpose.”
In particular, 2019 saw the commencement of the implementation of the new Garda Operating Model, as well as the continuing redeployment of Gardaí to frontline duties and the civilianisation of staff. The appointment of Garda staff to certain non-policing roles in An Garda Síochána has ensured highly trained Gardaí are deployed quickly to the frontline, where their valuable skills and experience can be used to better purpose. A total of 344 Garda Members were reassigned to frontline policing duties in 2019.
The Minister continued,
“A visible policing presence reassures communities and the new Garda Operating Model is designed to ensure there is proactive policing and a visible Garda presence across the country. The rollout of the new model will reduce bureaucracy and move real power and decision making from Garda Headquarters to the Chief Superintendents leading Garda Divisions in the communities they serve. Importantly, it will enable more frontline leadership positions with Sergeants and Inspectors on the ground where leadership, supervision and mentoring is crucial.”
The year 2019 marked the 60th anniversary of women joining An Garda Síochána, with the 12 women who became the first female recruits joining the organisation in 1959. The annual report notes the contribution women have made to An Garda Síochána in the time since, as well as noting the work done to establish a Women’s Network to act as a forum for women to learn and support each other in their careers in the organisation.
Minister McEntee added,
“I would like to pay tribute to every woman who has served as a member of An Garda Síochána over the last 60 years. The women of An Garda Síochána have made an outstanding contribution to Irish society, working every day to keep every woman and man in the State safe. I believe however that even more work can be done to increase the female proportion of the Garda workforce.
“I was therefore pleased to note the recent publication of An Garda Síochána’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategy Statement & Action Plan 2020 – 2021 and I look forward to working with the Commissioner further on this.”
The annual report also outlines a number of other notable achievements in 2019 including:
- The Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) had a number of significant operational successes, including seizures of illicit drugs worth over €21 million.
- 11 new Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) went live in 11 Garda Divisions in 2019. This added to the already established units bringing the total to 15 DPSUs, which has subsequently been expanded to every Garda Division in 2020.
- One of the main focuses for the Criminal Assets Bureau during 2019 was associates of Organised Crime Groups. Particular emphasis was placed on targeting the lower level tiers of criminals, in addition to more serious crime gangs, in an effort to disrupt the progression of individuals within these gangs.
- An Garda Síochána continued to cooperate closely with EU and international counterparts in sharing intelligence and responding to threats.
It should be noted however that, despite a number of awareness campaigns, 2019 saw a rise in road user fatalities from the record low of 140 in 2018 to 142 in 2019. Commissioner Harris noted a commitment to work closely with road safety partners and the public to save lives and reduce serious injuries going forward.
Accompanying the Annual Report, a separate report has also been published on the 2019 Policing Plan. The Garda Commissioner sets out the proposed arrangements and targets for policing services each year through the annual Policing Plan. Of the 104 targets identified in the 2019 Plan, 61 were achieved, 27 were partially achieved and 16 were not achieved. The Department of Justice will work closely with An Garda Síochána to help ensure key targets are being met and to follow up on areas where further progress is required.