Only 44% of gardai patrolling on streets

Force admits redeployment of officers needs to happen faster

LESS than half of gardai available for duty are engaged in visible policing, it has been revealed.

An audit discovered just 44% of fully-trained officers are involved in direct contact with the public.

The figure was uncovered by an RTE freedom of information request and is understood to be in contravention of the Force’s own policing plan.

It is also against recommendations by the Garda Inspectorate which said there should be the maximum number of officers dedicated to conducting highvisibility patrols.

The Garda Internal Audit Committee, which carried out the study, described the number as “low”.

It is the first time such a figure has been revealed and is drawn from audits into the strength of the Force’s 28 divisions nationwide.

It is not revealed if the gardai concerned are involved in specialist units or in dedicated office work.

The Garda Press Office said it accepted the pace of redeployment of members from administrative roles to operational duties could improve. A spokesman told RTE: “This has not happened at the pace it originally anticipated. Plans are in place to accelerate that process.”

In terms of what the other 56% of gardai were doing, the press office said those not engaging in patrols or with the public might be on other important policing duties. A spokesman added: “An important part of An Garda Siochana delivering a policing service that protects and supports communities is visibility of members in local communities.

“This was impacted by the significant reduction in Garda members as a result of decisions by successive Governments.

“As recruitment of members has increased so has the ability of officers to ensure increased visibility.” Meanwhile, preliminary findings of an audit found the Garda did not pursue between 6,000 and 7,000 juvenile offenders from 2010 to the end of last year.

The children and teens were deemed unsuitable for admittance into the juvenile liaison system due to the seriousness of the offences involved. Garda authorities are set to discipline the officers involved.