The Garda Síochana Act 2005 makes provision for the establishment of Joint Policing Committees. It does this against the background of a rapidly changing Ireland and with the awareness that not only central government must respond to the issues faced by local communities.
What are Joint Policing Committees?
Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) aim to develop greater consultation, cooperation and synergy on policing and crime issues between An Garda Síochána, Local Authorities and elected local representatives.
JPCs also facilitate the participation of the community and voluntary sectors in this regard. The committees are now being rolled out to all 114 local authority areas. The operations of the JPC are set out in guidelines drawn up by the Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Dept. of Justice. Please see JPC Operational Guidelines
A JPC is made up of:
- Chairperson (Local Authority representative)
- Garda Officers nominated by the garda Commissioner
- Local Authority members
- Members of the Oireachtas for the area
- Community/Voluntary sector representatives
Membership of the JPC
Minutes of the JPC
JPC meeting dates 2012
What are the functions of JPCs?
- Serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on policing and crime issues within Local Authority administrative areas.
- Review levels and patterns of crime and related underlying factors.
- Establish and coordinate Local Policing Fora.
- Meet four times per year.
- Hold annual public meetings.
A JPC is also to be established in each of Cork's Town Councils. Meetings have already been held in Mallow, Passage West and Bandon.
Cork County JPC
Cork County JPC held their first meeting in May 2009 and have held four meetings overall. The Committee have agreed a work programme for the next two years. The establishment of this structure allows issues of concern to be brought before the SPC by members. To date issues include methods of addressing:
- community alert concerns in West Cork
- increased garda presence in West Cork towns
- anti-social behaviour in peri-urban areas
- Establishment of a communication structure to liaise with Town Councils
- Establishment of three subcommittees to cover rural policing issues outside the Town council areas. These subcommittees would be geographically based on the three Cork County Council Divisions and will be serviced by the three Cork County Council Regional Directors.
- Assistance to Cork County Youth Council with their submission to the White Paper on Crime
- Communication established with Muintir na Tire and IFA.
For more information please contact Dympna Murphy at 021-4285337.
