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.

As well as improving in areas such as community policing and having the right system and structures in place to support communities, the watchdog said it should focus on engagement with victims, children, and communities with “heightened vulnerability”.

“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 over the next three years,” said PCSA chief executive Helen Hall.

“These are also the key areas that will focus our oversight activity on, to assess progress made by An Garda Síochána.” 

It set out its recommendations to gardaí under three headings: Work in a partnership to meet community needs; provide a consistent, supportive, and quality service; and enable the frontline.

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These have been set by the PCSA and submitted to justice minister Jim O’Callaghan for his approval, and then given to Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.

The PCSA said Mr Kelly must ensure the Garda's strategic plan 2026-28 and its annual service plans over this period incorporate what the oversight body has recommended.

It said it took into account the current resources available to An Garda Síochána, the “huge” policing demand that will come from Ireland holding the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of the year, and the wider sociopolitical and economic environment.

Following the consultation process, the PCSA said it is confident that the priorities will ensure the service offered to communities by gardaí is improved where improvement is most needed, and are also realistic and achievable within the resources available.

“Independence and inclusion are two cornerstones of the system,” said Mr O’Callaghan. “It is important that our policing priorities are set by an independent body, which were developed following a comprehensive and inclusive process.

“Our gardaí provide a range of vital services to the public, and we rely on them to protect our communities and keep people safe.

“These priorities will help ensure that An Garda Síochána remain focused on key areas where they can improve the policing services offered to communities.”