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Superintendents Warn of Strain as Minister Signals More Posts and Commissioner Expands Street-Policing Plan

The association says the 2019 operating model and staffing controls have weakened community links and left gaps in roads-policing oversight.

Overview

  • At their Co Meath conference, the Association of Garda Superintendents told Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan that progress on key issues has been too slow and called for immediate, funded changes.
  • Commissioner Justin Kelly said he is expanding a plan to put more gardaí on the streets of Dublin and other urban areas to address public safety perceptions.
  • Mr O'Callaghan said he is open to raising the number of superintendents to 191 if requested by the Commissioner and would discuss it with Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers.
  • The association cites an effective cap of 168 superintendent posts against a legal complement of 191, saying a roughly thirty-post shortfall is forcing double-jobbing and stretching oversight.
  • Superintendents flagged roads-policing supervision as flawed, with inspectors bypassing the superintendent rank, and sought legal expenses cover, enhanced psychological supports, and inclusion in pay talks.