CORK could lose one of its three chief superintendent positions if a plan to double up some garda divisions goes ahead.

Proposals for a new divisional policing model include the possibility of merging Cork North and Cork West divisions into one. 

Currently, Cork North covers north and east Cork and is headed up by a chief superintendent. Cork West is also headed up by a chief superintendent and covers from Kinsale to the end of the Beara peninsula. It also covers northwest Cork into the border with Kerry.

A proposal to merge both would result in a "super division", stretching from Mitchelstown to the Beara peninsula, and also taking in Midleton and Youghal. It is envisaged that such a division would be overseen by one chief superintendent.

Cork city would remain untouched.

The proposal is part of a major plan for a shake-up of the garda organisation.

Currently, a pilot project is underway in Cork city, to change the current management system from the existing district structure to functional policing.

As part of the pilot, there is an administration hub in Anglesea Street garda station. This is where all the administrative work previously done in district headquarters is now being done.

The investigation of all serious crimes is now headed up in Anglesea Street, instead of at district level.

The pilot is also being done in Galway, Mayo and Dublin South Central.

The pilot is also part of the bigger project.

The proposals for the major shake-up were shown to chief superintendents last week. The plans would result in a reduction in the number of chief superintendents across the country, as well as a reduction in the number of assistant commissioners.

As a result, it will result in fewer promotion opportunities for superintendents.

Cork city-based Superintendent Michael Comyns, who is on the executive of the Association of Garda Superintendents, said the association has not yet seen the proposals and are waiting to view them.

He said there is no date for the roll-out of the plan.