Policing Authority publishes half-year Assessment of Policing Performance 2024

20 December 2024

The Policing Authority has today published its half-year Assessment of Policing Performance 2024, an evaluation of the Garda Síochána’s performance to the end of June. Policing performance is assessed primarily against the Authority’s Statutory Performance Framework — consisting of the Garda Síochána Statement of Strategy, Policing Priorities, and annual Policing Plan. This biannual assessment is key to providing transparency about policing performance, the oversight of policing, and the outcomes of that work.

The report highlights the positive Data and Technology journey that the Garda Síochána has undergone over the lifetime of the Authority, improving the Garda information infrastructure and efficiency of service provision. It also provides commentary on notable achievements, challenges and risks in key areas, including:

• Protecting and Supporting Victims and the Vulnerable: The Garda Síochána has made significant strides in responding to, and supporting victims of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. The implementation of the recommendations from the Garda Inspectorate’s report on Child Sexual Abuse brought an electronic notification process, which has been introduced between Garda Síochána and TUSLA. Progress was also made in streamlining the processing and identification of child sexual abuse material.
  It is vital that these improvements continue to ensure the highest level of victim support possible.
• Supporting and Ensuring Community Safety: The roll out of the Garda Operating Model continued with a number of Community Engagement Hubs coming into operation across various Garda divisions. Feedback from the Garda Síochána in relation to the new operating structure has been positive in the main. A review of public order policing was completed by the Authority at the request of the Minister. The review found that while significant progress has been made since the publication of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate Report “Public Order Policing” in 2019, some of its key recommendations remain incomplete.
• Tackling Organised and Serious Crime: There is sustained success in tackling Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) engaged in the drugs trade and perpetrating cyber and economic crimes in Ireland. In particular, collaboration with international partners to respond to the activities of OCGs in collaboration with US, UK, EU and other partners, has led to landmark successes for the Garda Síochána.  “Significant seizures around the country resulted in an estimated €25 million worth of drugs being seized.”
• Rights Based and Ethical Service Delivery: The Authority welcomes progress made in this area. This includes the introduction of drug testing for new Garda recruits, the publication of data on suspensions of Garda members, the roll-out of body-worn cameras as part of its proof of concept and the rising engagement with the peer-to-peer support programme. Nonetheless, the Authority is concerned about the lack of progress made in relation to the introduction of in-career vetting. The Authority also remains concerned at the lengthy nature of some of the suspensions, with 25 suspensions having been ongoing for 4-6 years and 43 for 2-3 years. While there may be valid reasons in individual cases for delays, this nonetheless has a direct impact on resources, well-being, morale and public confidence in the Garda Síochána.   
• Development of the Capacity to Strategically Manage Garda Resources: Positively, at the end of June 2024, two thirds of Garda divisions had fully implemented the Operating Model structure and this is an important milestone. However, resourcing continues to be the most significant challenge to the organisation across all functional areas. The Authority has significant concerns about the organisation’s ability to recruit and retain members and staff, with the current rate of intake of trainees likely to be mostly off-set through resignations and retirements in the coming years.

Policing Authority Chairperson, Dr. Elaine Byrne, BL, commented on the publication of the report:

The assessment of performance is made against the commitments made by the Garda Síochána to the public in its annual Policing Plan. While significant progress has been made, it is clear that resources remains the biggest single issue impacting the service that the Garda Síochána can provide.  The important progress made in the area of Garda Data and Technology over the past number of years shows what targeted investment in the policing service can deliver to improve the delivery of policing for the Garda workforce and the service provided to the public.

This half-year Assessment of Policing Performance is the latest in a series of bi-annual reports assessing Garda Síochána performance. These reports are provided to the Minister for Justice, the Garda Commissioner, and other stakeholders, and made publicly available through the Authority’s website.