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Policing and Community Safety Authority

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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 of the police and security service of the country, the Garda Síochána. It was established in 2025 as a successor to the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. The Gardaí 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

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The Garda Síochána Inspectorate was established in 2006 under the Garda Síochána Act 2005.[1][2][3] Its stated role was to "ensure that the resources available to the Garda Síochána are used efficiently and effectively".[4][5] Its insepections were either self-initiated, or requested by the Minister for Justice or the Policing Authority.[6] The first Chief Inspector was former Commissioner of Boston Police, Kathleen O'Toole. She reported directly to the Minister for Justice. From 2006 to 2009, O'Toole was supported by two other inspectors, Robert Olsen and Gwen M. Boniface. Olsen was Chief of Police for 8 years of the Minneapolis Police Department. Boniface is a former Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and was one of 3 female police commissioners in Canada when appointed in May 1998. She suggested that rank and file Gardaí were not equipped to perform their duties or protect themselves properly. She also suggested that routine arming may become a reality but dismissed the suggestion that this was currently being considered. In 2012, O'Toole was succeeded by Robert K. Olson.[7]

The Policing Authority was established in 2016, enabled by an amendment to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 by the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015.[8][9] The authority was led by a board of 8 ordinary members and a chairperson.[9] The first chair of the new authority was Josephine Feehily, the outgoing chair of the Revenue Commissioners.[10] The authority published reports on the progress of the Gardaí against its objectives.[11] 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."[12]

In 2025, under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate were dissolved and their functions were transferred to the newly established Policing and Community Safety Authority.[13][14][15]

Functions

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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.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Garda Síochána Inspectorate (Establishment Day) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 401 of 2006). Signed on 26 July 2006 by Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  2. ^ "Minister McDowell establishes Garda Síochána Inspectorate and announces appointment of two new Inspectors" (PDF). Garda Síochána Inspectorate (Press release).
  3. ^ "O'Toole not shocked by Morris findings". RTÉ News. 14 September 2006.
  4. ^ "Garda Síochána Inspectorate". Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Timeline GSI for PP" (PDF). Garda Síochána Inspectorate. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 April 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Garda Inspectorate". Government of Ireland (gov.ie).
  7. ^ Lally, Conor. "Ageing Garda fleet a 'financial time bomb' warns inspectorate". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  8. ^ Policing Authority (Establishment Day) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 611 of 2015). Signed on 22 December 2015 by Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  9. ^ a b c Gartland, Fiona (26 April 2016). "What is the Policing Authority?". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  10. ^ Brady, Tom (13 November 2014). "Government appoints outgoing Revenue Commissioners chairman head of new independent policing authority". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald announced this afternoon that Ms Josephine Feehily would "bring a wealth of experience and competences" to her new role. She will be chairperson-designate until legislation establishing the authority has been fully enacted.
  11. ^ Lally, Conor (10 August 2021). "Policing Authority doubts Garda's ability to reform". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  12. ^ 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. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Statement from Chief Inspector Mark Toland on the dissolution of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate" (PDF). Garda Síochána Inspectorate. 1 April 2005.
  14. ^ "Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan commences landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024" (Press release). Department of Justice. 4 April 2025. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  15. ^ Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (An tÚdarás Póilíneachta agus Sábháilteachta Pobail) (Establishment Day) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 108 of 2025). Signed on 2 April 2025 by Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
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