An Garda Síochána has published its Policing Plan 2011 which sets out key objectives for year two of its overall Strategy Statement 2010 – 2012.
The Policing Plan includes the priorities determined for An Garda Síochána by the Minister for Justice and Law Reform under Section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
Speaking at Garda Headquarters today, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said:
“The Policing Plan sets out our strategic goals for 2011. All policing activity over the next twelve months will be informed by the priorities identified in this plan which were determined following consultation with the community and a range of partners.
One of the guiding principles of the plan is that we will continue to maximise our resources by engaging in intelligence-led and targeted operations and investigations as well as high visibility patrolling.”
Referring to some of the key priorities identified in this year’s policing plan, the Commissioner continued:
“National security and the reduction of crime and fear of crime are part of our core business. This year’s plan identifies a number of key actions including the continued targeting of organised criminality as well as a renewed focus on crimes against the person and high volume property crime such as theft and burglary.
This year’s plan also puts a particular emphasis on domestic violence, crimes of a sexual nature, the management of the risks associated with sex offenders and the support and protection of child victims. This follows on from a number of important initiatives during 2010 including the publication of our domestic violence policy and of our policy on the investigation of sexual crime, crimes against children and child welfare as well as the establishment of the sexual offender management and intelligence unit. These policies and national structures as well as dedicated training programmes are designed to support Gardaí who are dealing with these challenging and difficult crimes and vulnerable victims.”
The Commissioner also stressed the importance of roads policing saying:
“We have witnessed a welcome decrease in deaths on our roads in recent years but our resolve to further reduce deaths and serious injuries remains strong. In addition our traffic corps and all Gardai engaged in roads policing are focused on delivering operations and intelligence which will deny individuals the use of the roads for criminal activity.”
The Policing Plan also outlines An Garda Síochána’s priorities in the key areas of enhancing partnerships with the community and other agencies with a view to identifying and solving problems together, the reduction of anti-social behaviour and the use of smart processes and technology to support frontline policing.
A full copy of the Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2011 is available to download on www.garda.ie
Garda Press Office
10th January 2011
