Gardaí urged to prioritise mental health and community safety

PCSA chief executive Helen Hall said: 'The launch of these statutory policing priorities is an important milestone in providing clarity and focus on the areas of policing that An Garda Síochána needs to focus on.' Picture: Gareth Chaney Collins

Gardaí should prioritise responding to mental health crises, drug-related intimidation, and other community safety issues over the next three years, its oversight body has said.

The Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) has published its 'policing priorities' for An Garda Síochána through to 2028, based on a public consultation and meetings with serving gardaí, experts, and community stakeholders.