An Garda Síochána has today announced the first five Divisions where its new Operating Model will be implemented.
They are: Galway, Cork city, Dublin South Central, Meath/Westmeath, and Limerick.
They were chosen because:
– Cork City, DMR South Central and Galway had run pilots of the local policing model
– Limerick is a large division that is already at the desired scale for the new Operating Model
– The merger of Meath / Westmeath will enable the model to be used to provide a wider range of policing services to communities in the area
Before changes are made at a Divisional level, change impact assessments will be conducted at a local level to ascertain what needs to be done to enable implementation.
The first major changes under the new Garda Operating Model came into effect on Monday, October 7 with the reduction in the Garda regions from six to four.
An Garda Síochána has previously stated that the introduction of the Operating Model at Divisional level will be done on phased basis.
Commissioner Harris has also previously commented that border Divisions will remain unchanged until there is clarity on Brexit.
An Garda Síochána has committed to ensuring Superintendents will be in locations throughout a Division and not all located in the Divisional Headquarters.
An Garda Síochána has also said that every effort will be made to minimise disruption to personnel.
