The piloting of local diversity forums to build relationships with minority communities and a mental health ‘First Aid’ network for Gardaí are among the priorities set out in 2024’s Policing Plan.
Victims of ‘hate crime’ are also set to receive special attention from Gardaí this year as they seek to engage with communities across Ireland.
The Policing Plan 2024 identifies a number of key sources of harm afflicting communities around the country, including the proliferation of drugs and serious repeat offending. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris also writes that a “Younger Persons Plan” is to be developed this year to meet the “policing needs of younger people”.
Guided by their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, An Garda Síochána will aim this year to develop its relationships with “ethnic, diverse and minority communities at local and national level”.
“This will be realised through partnership working and engagement, with a focus on diversity, piloting of a Divisional Diversity Forum, and delivery of training across our organisation,” the policing plan reads.
The plan promises a delivery of a “consistent, visible and engaged” community policing service at both local and national level, while victims of crime, “particularly victims of hate crime” will be engaged with to ensure they can “have trust and confidence” in An Garda Síochána.
In relation to the wellbeing or personnel, a ‘Mental Health First Aid’ network to support Gardaí is to be a priority this year which recent research has indicated would be beneficial.
Another development indicated by the plan is the rollout of a National Criminal Intelligence Framework to assist with the anticipation and tackling of crime.
An additional cybercrime hub based in Cavan is to be progressed. It was initially planned for 2022 and was intended to join existing regional hubs in Cork, Galway, Wexford and Mullingar but is believed to have been delayed by staffing issues.