Enhancing community ownership of policing kennedy sept 2014

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Enhancing Community

Ownership of PolicingInternational Mediation Conference:

Creativity within MediationC7: 15 MINUTE ‘TED TALKS’

4-7 September 2014Maynooth University

Kenny & Kennefick 2014

Kenny & Kennefick 2014 2

Presenters:

Enhancing Community Ownership of Policing

Garda Inspector Frank Kennefick Michael Kenny

Lecturer, Ex. Chair Local Police

Forum


In Ireland An Garda Síochána police by consent. It always has and hopefully will continue to do so.

An Garda Síochána .. more than a law enforcement body .. an intrinsic Social Service within Irish Society.



To ensure that policing continues to operate with the consent of the people and to ensure that the community receives the policing it wants and deserves there must be dialogue, discussion and debate between the parties.



Section 36 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provided for the establishment of a Joint Policing Committee (JPC) in each local authority administrative

area as part of the local government structures.

Joint Policing Committees (JPCs)?


Starting in 2006, JPCs were piloted in 29 local authority areas.

In 2008 JPCs were set up in all of the 114 city, county and town council areas

Mainstreaming of JPCs


The purpose JPCs: To provide a forum where a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for the policing of that area, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area.

Purpose of JPC?


In addition Local Policing Fora (LPF) were established at neighbourhood level

The Local Policing Fora intended, in a more informal way, to deepen the engagement between Gardai, the local authority and neighbourhood communities.

Local Policing Fora (LPF)


The role of the Local Police Forum in the Garda Station District is in line with that of the Garda Síochána Act of 2005 under section 4;

‘The Local Police Forum will provide a

mechanism through which the community, the Gardai and the local authority (and public representatives, other statutory agencies and other stakeholders as required) come together in a formal structured way.’



The Local Police Forum enables the free flow of information between the parties represented (An Garda Síochána, the Local Council, Local Public Representatives, Local Community Organisations and Local Residents).

Local Police Forum(LPFs)?


Local Policing Fora established in the six local authority areas where Local Drug Task Forces operate in August 2009

Cork/Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown/Fingal /South Dublin County Council and Bray Town Council.



In June 2010 following discussions with representatives of An Garda Síochána, The Area Drug Task Force, the Local Community Development Project, the Local County Council, community representatives and local service providers a Local Police Forum was established in the suburbs of Dublin with the first dedicated LPF Management Meeting in October 2010.

Case Study:


Envisaged that the Local Police Forum would develop a locally based action plan which would include the continuation of the local public consultation meetings.

Case Study:


The functions of the Local Policing Forum as stated in section 4.3 of the guidelines are as follows;

1. Improve communication and relationships between

the Gardai, local authorities, other relevant stakeholders and the local community

2. Share and exchange relevant and appropriate information, including crime data on local areas.

3. Identify issues of concern in relation to policing, anti-social behaviour and estate management.

Case Study:


4. Provide feedback on progress/hold agencies accountable.

5. Develop guidelines and supports to manage tensions and divisions that arise within communities as a result of the alcohol-related problems, drug-dealing and drug use anti-social impact.

6. Assist agencies to work together in a more co-ordinated manner in response to local problems.

7. Organise local public meetings on topics relevant to the issues being addressed.

Case Study:


Case Study:Example Public Meetings


Case Study:Example Response to Pubic Safety Issues


Local Police Forum is a very successful mechanism for

integrating local authorities, the local community and An Garda

Síochána in the common goal of ensuring Public Safety and

allowing persons to go about their daily lives in a peaceful manner.

Enhancing Community Ownership of Policing: Conclusion


The Local Police Forum enhances the cooperation between residents and their local

authority as both engage with An Garda Síochána in a common

effort to improve the living conditions of all.

Enhancing Community Ownership of Policing: Conclusion


Thank You:


Garda Inspector Frank Kennefick Michael Kenny

Lecturer, Ex. Chair Local Police

Forum

Services

Enhancing community ownership of policing kennedy sept 2014