Effective from Sunday, 11th August 2024, changes to the Cork County Division will be implemented as part of the phased rollout of An Garda Síochána's Operating Model. This model is a key component of the "A Policing Service For Our Future" transformation programme, designed to restructure Divisions with a focus on community policing.
This implementation means that the Southern Region is the first Garda region to have all its Divisions (Kerry, Clare, Tipperary, Limerick, Cork City, Cork County) move to the Operating Model Divisional Functional Structure.
Under this new structure, each Division will be organised into four Functional Areas: Community Engagement, Crime, Performance Assurance, and Business Services.
The Cork County Division has already implemented the Business Services Functional Area, successfully reducing the administrative workload for operational Gardaí. Building on this progress, the remaining Functional Areas will be introduced from 11th August 2024.
Each Functional Area will be led by a Superintendent, with the exception of the Business Services Functional Area, which will be headed by an Assistant Principal Officer.
As part of the Operating Model, all Garda Stations and former Districts have been realigned under the Community Engagement Functional Area, as outlined below:
Cork South West (Bandon) Community Engagement
Superintendent Cornelius Crowley
Superintendent Cornelius Crowley
• Bandon
• Kinsale
• Innishannon
• Ballinhassig
• Timoleague
• Kilbrittain
• Ballineen
• Clonakilty
• Rosscarbery
• Skibbereen
• Dunmanway
• Drinagh
• Baltimore
• Bantry
• Durrus
• Schull
• Drimoleague
• Castletownbere
• Glengarriff
• Kealkill
• Ballydehob
Cork North West (Mallow) Community Engagement
Superintendent Gary McPolin
• Mallow
• Charleville
• Kanturk
• Buttevant
• Doneraile
• Milford
• Liscarroll
• Newmarket
• Glantane
• Macroom
• Baile Bhuirne
• Tarelton
• Millstreet
• Coachford
• Beal Atha An Ghaorthaidh
• Rathmore
• Boherbue
• Crookstown
• Ballydesmond
Cork North East (Midleton) Community Engagement
Superintendent Adrian Gamble
• Midleton
• Cobh
• Youghal
• Ballycotton
• Carrigtwohill
• Killeagh
• Cloyne
• Whitegate
• Fermoy
• Mitchelstown
• Kildmery
• Watergrasshill
• Rathcormac
• Castletownroche
• Kilworth
• Ballynoe
Operating Model project lead and Assistant Commissioner, Southern Region, Eileen Foster said: "The changes coming into effect will enable us to provide a more responsive, efficient, and improved service to local communities across County Cork. This will help provide enhanced investigations into crimes against vulnerable groups, including sexual crimes, and community policing teams dedicated to identifying and addressing local issues. Today’s announcements highlight the progress we've made and plan to continue in the coming months as we continue implementation of the Garda Operating Model.”
The Garda Operating Model was introduced after recommendations from the Garda Inspectorate, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, and based on feedback from Gardaí at all ranks.
It is designed to modernise organisational structures that have been in place for over 100 years and were not suited to delivering a consistent policing service in a rapidly changing society and crime environment.
The Operational Model provides for greater community engagement, and the delivery of more specialised services at local level.
This implementation in County Cork means that 16 of the 21 Garda Divisions have fully implemented the Operating Model. The remaining Divisions are at different stages of implementation.
Before the introduction of the Garda Operating Model, there were six Garda Regions and 28 Divisions with the requisite administrative personnel and structures for each Region and Division.
