Politicians back policing committees but some fear they’re ‘talking shops’

Joint policing committees (JPCs) are of great benefit to community representatives and politicians, but less so for gardaí, according to a Government review.

While there is broad support for JPCs among members, many fear the bodies do not fulfil their potential.

Many feel some JPCs, particularly those in towns, are just “talking shops” and used as an opportunity by local politicians to quiz gardaí in front of the media.

Gardaí want JPCs, which bring together local authorities, gardaí, politicians and community representatives, to be less about holding them to account and more about a collaborative approach to solving problems.

JPCs were set up on a pilot basis in 29 local authority areas in 2006 before being rolled out nationwide two years later. There are 114 in the country.

JPCs aim to create a partnership approach to addressing concerns about crime and community policing.

A review by the Department of Justice expressed “concern” that only 18% of committee members surveyed responded.

It found most groups say JPCs are of great benefit, including 87% of Oireachtas politicians, 81% of local politicians, and 81% of community representatives. However, the level is lower among gardaí (63%) and local authority officials (74%).

About 93% of gardaí said JPCs should be more about a collaborative approach rather than “questions simply being put to Garda representatives”.

“There is a risk that some JPCs might become ‘talking shops’, going over the same ground without coming up with proposals for concrete action,” said the review.

It said some of the feedback suggested this problem was more prevalent in town council areas.

Other feedback reported: “Elected members are using the JPC solely to hold gardaí to account or to generate local press coverage and continue political arguments.

“There was concern in some committees at the emphasis on questioning gardaí as opposed to developing collaborative solutions.”