AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA has reduced its Garda divisions from 28 to 19 and reduced its Regions from six to four as part of a restructuring model.
Regions will be amalgamated and will be introduced into divisions on a phased basis. Divisions along the border are “unlikely to see any significant change” until there’s clarity on Brexit, Gardaí said.
“A wide range of operational factors have been considered when deciding where the new Regional and Divisional Headquarters should be based,” a statement said. These considerations include population, geography, projected growth, crime trends and workload across a range of work streams.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said of the decision: “Our new Operating Model will see larger Divisions with more resources. It will deliver increased Garda visibility in communities, as well more localised services”.
Harris said that superintendents will be empowered to make decisions on how policing is best delivered within their Divisions.
“In addition, our new Operating Model will enhance the investigation of crime through the delivery of a greater range of specialised services in local areas such as the investigation of sexual crime, domestic violence, cyber crime, and economic crime… Complex or highly technical crimes will generally be dealt with at national level.”
The new Regional and Divisional Headquarters are:
Divisions and Headquarters in North Western Region
Divisions and Headquarters in the Eastern Region
Divisions and Headquarters in the Southern Region
Divisions and Headquarters in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR)
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