Fast-track Police reforms says Sherlock
Labour Justice spokesperson Sean Sherlock TD has welcomed the common sense and practical proposals on policing and has said:
“A comprehensive roadmap of reforms for policing in Ireland has been published, and the Minister must now commit to fast-track those measures. It will take some time to digest the full report and its implications, but an implementation strategy is now needed.
“The Minister wants time to consult with other government Departments and agencies, and has said it will take three months before there is an implementation plan. That isn’t good enough, and it must be moved on more quickly.
“It’s time to draw a line under years of controversy and transform our policing service so that it is focused on serving communities across Ireland.
“The key recommendations and principles as outlined by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland if implemented will be transformative.
“In particular, I welcome the organisational and oversight changes, including the merger of the Inspectorate and Policing Authority, changes to GSOC, and the establishment of a Strategic Threat Analysis Centre. The Minister for Justice must now outline to us what his plans are for these proposals.
“The Garda College in Templemore must be linked to a third level institution and while there are recommendations that suggest some moves on this, we do need formal partnerships to underpin those who wish to pursue service.
“After this report, I want the focus to return to community policing and resources must be targeted to that, so that police officers at a district level are at the frontline, in our streets, estates, villages and townlands, and provide a full community service as the report proposes.”