Policing and Community Safety Authority
The Policing and Community Safety Authority (Irish: An tÚdarás Póilíneachta agus Sábháilteachta Pobail) is a statutory body in Ireland with certain powers of governance and oversight with regard to the police and security service of the country, the Garda Síochána. The Garda organisation is also answerable to the government through the Minister for Justice, while complaints about the actions of members of the force can be directed to the Fiosrú – the Office of the Police Ombudsman.
History
[edit]The Policing Authority was established in 2016, enabled by a 2015 law.[1] The body was led by a board of 8 ordinary members and a chairperson.[1] In 2025, the Policing Authority was dissolved and its functions were transferred to the newly established Policing and Community Safety Authority.[2] The new authority also assumed the functions of the Garda Inspectorate.
Functions
[edit]The authority oversees the working of the Garda force, including holding a monthly meeting with the Garda Commissioner. It promotes the improvement and reputation of the Garda. The body also has a role in nominating candidates for the roles of commissioner and deputy commissioner, and makes the appointments for the ranks of assistant commissioner, chief superintendent and superintendent, as well as certain senior civilian positions.[1]
At a policy level, the authority is involved in setting long-term force priorities and approving three-year strategic plans, and annual policing plans. It also defines the force's ethical code.[1]
The authority publishes reports on the progress of the Garda organisation against its objectives.[3]
Criticism
[edit]The potential of the former authority to meet the objectives claimed for it have been questioned, with one academic paper stating "It seems more accurate to describe it as an elaborate national advisory body rather than a national police authority. Despite the Irish government's initial endorsement of the latter, it is likely that it never intended anything other than the former."[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Gartland, Fiona (26 April 2016). "What is the Policing Authority?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan commences landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024" (Press release). Department of Justice. 4 April 2025.
- ^ Lally, Conor (10 August 2021). "Policing Authority doubts Garda's ability to reform". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ Walsh, Dermot (1 July 2018). "Adapting the Police Authority Concept to a Centralised National Police Service: Appearance over Substance in the Republic of Ireland?". The Modern Law Review. 81 (4): 622–645. doi:10.1111/1468-2230.12354. ISSN 0026-7961. S2CID 149797610.
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