Major shake-up of several garda divisions confirmed under new Garda Operating Model

A MAJOR shake-up of several garda divisions across the country has been confirmed, following a review by senior garda management.

Details of the changes, which will see the creation of five new garda divisions across seven different counties, have been announced by the Garda Commissioner.

The new Garda Operating Model is being introduced under the Government’s policing reform programme, A Policing Service For Our Future, which is based on recommendations from the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

Under the Operating Model, garda divisions are headed by a divisional Chief Superintendent, who oversee four newly defined functional areas: Business Services; Performance and Assurance; Crime; and Community Engagement. Each of these functional areas is led by a Superintendent, with the exception of Business Services, which is led by an Assistant Principal Officer.

The three-county divisions which were reviewed as part of the latest phase of the national roll-out were: Laois/Offaly/Kildare, Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow and Donegal/Sligo/Leitrim.

The review, which was completed in recent weeks, included leadership interviews, and consultation with internal and external stakeholders.

It also took into account the population and demographic changes in the country since the development of the original Operating Model structure in 2018, as well as projected population and demographic trends in the coming years. It looked at the number of incidents in the relevant Divisions, along with their operational and community needs. Staffing and accommodation were also factored into the review.

Commenting on the planned changes, a garda spokesperson said. "The revised Divisional structures will most effectively deliver the benefits of the Operating Model by supporting a more balanced level of service demand across the Divisions. It will also increase the capacity of Divisional Management teams allowing for effective service provision, and greater oversight and governance."

The next phase of the review will see a further feasibility and detailed impact assessment completed to determine the timeline for deployment of the revised divisional structures.

"There will be no impact on our service to the public in the relevant Divisions during the transition to the revised Divisional Model. An Garda Síochána remains fully committed to delivering the Operating Model in a timely manner and realising its full benefits across the entire organisation which includes increased specialist services in areas such as domestic violence and sexual crime, and cyber-crime delivered at local level," added the spokesperson.

The Operating Model is already fully implemented in six Divisions: Limerick; Kerry; Cork City; Galway; DMR South Central and Mayo/Roscommon/Longford.

The Garda Senior Leadership Team overseeing the roll-out of the new Garda Operating Model is chaired by the Commissioner, and includes the Deputy Commissioners, Chief Administrative Officer, the Assistant Commissioners, the Executive Directors, Chief Medical Officer and the Director of Communications.