The primary remit of the Authority is to oversee the performance of the Garda Síochána in delivering policing services. We do this in a number of ways which are described below.
Oversight of Policing
The main function of the Policing Authority is to oversee the performance of the Garda Síochána in the provision of policing services. We do this in a number of ways, including by:
- Approving the three year Garda Síochána Strategy Statement
- Setting annual Policing Priorities and performance targets for the Garda Síochána
- Approving the Annual Policing Plan
- Holding monthly meetings with the Garda Commissioner, including meetings in public at least four times each year, which are live streamed and are available to broadcast by the media, as required by statute.
- Building independent sources of evidence to assess performance through engagement with a broad range of stakeholders
- Reviewing arrangements and mechanisms within the Garda Síochána for
- Corporate governance
- Recruitment, training and development
- Performance measurement and accountability
- Management and deployment of resources
- Reporting and providing advice to the Minister for Justice and Equality arising from the Authority’s functions and on request
In 2016 the Authority developed a Code of Ethics for the Garda Síochána which sets standards of conduct and practice for members of the Garda Síochána. The Authority continues to oversee the embedding of the Code on an ongoing basis as part of its oversight activities- view Code of Ethics (pdf)
Appointments
The Authority undertakes a range of activities relating to the selection and appointment of personnel in the Garda Síochána, including:
- Nominating persons for appointment by the Government to the positions of Garda Commissioner and Deputy Garda Commissioner
- Undertaking selection competitions for appointments to the senior ranks of Assistant Commissioner, Chief Superintendent and Superintendent
- Making appointments to these senior ranks and equivalent senior Garda staff positions
- Approving the complement of Garda staff
- Overseeing a range of other functions relating to workforce planning, recruitment, promotion and training by the Garda Síochána.
Previously these functions were performed by the Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice and Equality.
Public Awareness and Engagement
The Policing Authority places a high value on transparency to promote awareness of policing performance and related issues in Irish society including to the general public and other interested parties. It communicates and engages with stakeholders to learn about and gain feedback about expectations and experiences which inform its work by:
- Publishing agendas and minutes of Authority meetings on our website
- Holding meetings and other events in public
- Holding public consultations with stakeholders and the general public
- Engaging directly with key stakeholders such as Joint Policing Committees and civil society
- Publishing reports and other material on our website
Research
An important objective of the Policing Authority is to add to the body of knowledge in respect of policing in Ireland, to identify best practice, and to contribute to national and international benchmarking including by:
- Undertaking in-house research to support the work of the Executive, the Authority and its Committees in achieving the organisation’s statutory functions and corporate priorities
- Commissioning or assisting in research projects in respect of matters relating to policing services
- Launching a Research Bursary, with up to €25,000 being made available in 2019 to fund a project or projects covering the research themes selected by the Authority
- Building networks with others in the policing and oversight arenas, nationally and internationally, including oversight bodies, academic and research institutions, and other stakeholders.
Visit the Remit of the Policing Authority page for further details about the full functions of the Authority.
Some of the key milstones can be viewed below:
What we've done so far
Policing Authority Strategy Statement 2019-2021 published
Research networking event held
Launch of the first Policing Authority Research Bursary
Review of 2018 published
Panel established for appointments to the rank of Chief Superintendent in the Garda Síochána
Made a submission to the Department of Justice and Equality on the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland
Sixth quarterly report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate in “Changing Policing in Ireland”
Fifth quarterly report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate in “Changing Policing in Ireland”
Published Mid-Year Assessment on Policing Performance 2018
National meeting with the Chairs of the Joint Policing Committee
Panel established for appointments to the rank of Superintendent in the Garda Síochána
Fourth Report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations in the Interim Internal Audit Report in relation to the Garda Training College
Nominated person for appointment by Government to the position of Commissioner of the Garda Síochána
Fifth quarterly report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate in “Changing Policing in Ireland”
Hosted a live streamed discussion event on the report of the Independent Culture Audit of the Garda Síochána
Submitted Annual Report for 2017 to the Minister for Justice and Equality
Submitted a report to the Minister for Justice and Equality on the effectiveness of the Authority and the adequacy of its functions as required by legislation
Made a submission to the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland
Third Report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations in the Interim Internal Audit Report in relation to the Garda Training College
Fourth quarterly report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate in “Changing Policing in Ireland”
First appointment by the Authority of a PSNI candidate to the rank of Superintendent in the Garda Síochána
Report published on the Review of Matters Related to Mandatory Intoxicant Testing and the Incorrect Issuing of Summonses by the Garda Síochána Instead of Fixed Charged Notices
Report to the Minister on the Garda Síochána response to the Report of the Fennelly Commission of Investigation
Second Report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations in the Interim Internal Audit Report in relation to the Garda Training College
Third Quarterly Report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate in “Changing Policing in Ireland”
Report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations in the Interim Internal Audit Report in relation to the Garda Training College
National meeting with the Chairs of the Joint Policing Committees
Panel established for appointments to the rank of Superintendent in the Garda Síochána and first appointments made of Chief Superintendents and Superintendents
Panel established for appointments to the rank of Chief Superintendent in the Garda Síochána
Second Quarterly Report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate in “Changing Policing in Ireland”
Publication of the first Annual Report of the Authority for 2016
Submission to the Garda Inspectorate on entry routes to the Garda Síochána
Policing Authority Annual Report 2016 published
First Panel established for appointments to the rank of Assistant Commissioner in the Garda Síochána and first appointment made by the Authority
First Quarterly Report to the Minister on the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate in “Changing Policing in Ireland”
Functions relating to Garda Appointments commenced and first Assistant Commissioner competition advertised
Code of Ethics for the Garda Síochána established
Report on the Garda Síochána Protected Disclosures Policy sent to the Minister and published
Policing Plan 2017 sent to the Minister for consent
Policing Priorities for 2017 submitted to the Minister for approval
National consultation event in relation to the development of the Code of Ethics
Policing Authority Strategy Statement 2016 – 2018 published
Garda Síochána Strategy Statement 2016 – 2018 approved
First national meeting with the Chairs of the Joint Policing Committees
Authority makes first senior civilian appointment
First meeting with the Garda Commissioner in public
First meetings of the Code of Ethics Committee, the Appointments Committee, and the Policing Strategy and Performance Committee
The Policing Authority established and holds its first meeting
Other Policing Oversight Organisations
A number of other organisations have a role in other aspects of policing oversight, as follows:
- GSOC deal with complaints from members of the public concerning the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána
- The Garda Síochána Inspectorate carries out inspections or enquiries on particular aspects of the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána
The Authority does not have any role in dealing with individual complaints. It does, however, keep itself generally informed about complaints made and the application of the disciplinary Regulations.
Information on the differences between functions of the Policing Authority, GSOC and the Garda Inspectorate are outlined in “Working together towards better policing for Ireland” - The role of the Garda Inspectorate, GSOC and the Policing Authority (pdf).
