A NEW REPORT on garda front-line supervision recommends a review of current roles throughout the Garda Síochána, with an aim of reducing admin work and releasing Sergeants from offices.
The call comes in the Garda Inspectorate’s eighth report, launched by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, called Front-Line Supervision.
Following its publication, the Minister has also begun discussions on the partial revoke of a moratorium on appointing sergeants and inspectors.
The Inspectorate said it was frequently told that front-line sergeants, who ideally should patrol with gardaí they are supervising, were seldom available to do so. It described this as “an unacceptable situation”.
It also said that members expressed concern that training was not provided in a timely manner immediately following promotion.
The report itself was received in April 2012, but the Minister said that it was decided to delay publication pending the appointment of the new Garda Inspectorate team, and until the Garda Commissioner had been able to give detailed consideration to the report, and prepare an implementation plan based on its recommendations.
Work has already begun on some of the issues raised in the report. The report itself looks at the level and quality of supervision of front-line staff, with a particular focus on uniformed Sergeants.
Its recommendations include:
It also calls for a review of current roles throughout the Garda Síochána, to improve processes to reduce administrative burdens and release sergeants for front-line duties.
It also calls for the nationwide implementation of a Dublin Metropolitan Region system, where the sergeant in charge completes a court schedule that relieves officers of having to attend court. The Commissioner has commenced a review of the roles across the Force so as to ensure the proper deployment of all officers.
Age profile
Minister Shatter welcomed the report, and also noted that the force has a greatly reduced age-profile at the moment. He is currently in discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, for derogation (partial revoke of) on the moratorium to allow the Garda Commissioner to make appointments at Sergeant and Inspector level.
Other initiatives being implemented to enhance resources include a pilot computer-aided dispatch system; the introduction of a resource allocation and deployment system; training and development of members to be enhanced; and a more streamlined system of handling court attendance to reduce time spent by members attending court.
The Minister also noted that: “The need for new innovations such as centralised control rooms to provide emergency response assistance is readily accepted and is included in the Policing Plan for 2013″.
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