'We have some tough decisions to make': Concerns over future of community policing in Cork city

CONCERNS have been raised about community policing in Cork ahead of a roster reshuffle in the coming months. The issue was raised at a meeting of the joint policing committee in Cork yesterday, with Chief Superintendent Tom Myers saying “we have some tough decisions to make”.

In recent weeks, The Echo reported concerns raised by Fianna Fáil councillor Tony Fitzgerald, who said that, under a new Garda roster system, it is proposed to place all community gardaí on routine rosters, meaning, he said, that those gardaí would be working during the night and not available for community policing.

Speaking at the meeting yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald said “my understanding is it may be possible that the community policing units may be integrated into the new roster system, which will in effect be a disbanding of the community policing in our city.

“I know that it may be an administrative issue and it may be coming from national headquarters.”

He asked Chief Supt Myers for clarity.

Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer echoed Mr Fitzgerald’s concerns, highlighting the importance of the JPC not allowing “our community policing to be downgraded”.

“It has shown, whether we look at UCC or different parts of the city, that community policing works,” he said.

Change of roster 

Chief Supt Myers said: “We have a change of roster coming on November 6 and I’m actually crunching the numbers as I speak.

“The commissioner has publicly declared that we have some tough decisions to make in relation to manning five units now rather than four units, and everything is on the table at the moment.

“But I share your concerns about community policing. There’s no bigger fan of community policing than myself. But we have some tough decisions to make.

“I’m hoping not to have to do it but I have to be able to man five units now and as I said, that decision has to be made very soon.”

'Major step-back'

Mr Fitzgerald said the JPC should call on the Department of Justice to ensure An Garda Síochána gets the resources it needs, and that “there’s absolutely no way that Garda community policing be disbanded” in Cork or elsewhere.

“If we take out the pillar of community policing, it would be a major step-back in crime prevention,” he said.

Fine Gael councillor Damian Boylan highlighted the importance of writing to the Garda commissioner and department on the issue, while his party colleague, Joe Kavanagh, called for community policing in Cork to be enhanced, rather than downgraded or discontinued.

“It gives communities a sense of security and connectivity, knowing that there’s somewhere they can go to highlight issues or concerns in their local areas where they live their lives,” he said.