Two Garda regions to go in major shake-up

TWO out of the country’s six Garda regions are to be eliminated in a shake-up of the force’s structures by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

The move will cut the number of assistant commissioners from six to four as well as axing a number of chief superintendents.

It will save the force in the region of €5million, which sources say ‘could be very well utilised in other ways.’

A change in the structure was mooted in the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland report, published alst September.

Well-placed sources at Garda Headquarters have revealed that the six Garda regions are to be reduced to four, and this will lead to a reduction in numbers of the 28 Garda divisions.

As each division is headed by a chief superintendent, there will be a decrease the number of superintendents, and in turn, inspectors and sergeants. ‘It will be a sizable change in Garda structures and a reduction in senior Garda staff,’ said a well-placed source.

The restructuring is expected to be formally announced in the coming months. Garda HQ said in a statement to the Mail that changes are in the pipeline. It said: ‘The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland made a number of recommendations... This included a reduction in the number of Garda divisions (currently at 28) and a flatter management structure with a lower senior management ratio.’

At present, there are six Garda regions – Dublin Metropolitan Region; Northern Region; Western Region; Eastern Region; Southern Region and the South Eastern Region. It is understood the Dublin Metropolitan Region will remain untouched. Sources say it is likely the two regions in the south will be amalgamated.

One source said the move to reduce the number of chief superintendents would be ‘very poorly received’. The source explained: ‘This will have an impact on career prospects for all members. But more importantly, local communities are going to be losing their senior officers.’

Changes will save about €5million