Is Garda policing model fit for purpose?

Sir, – The new Garda Policing Model, which will see wholesale change within the structure of the force, is not going to achieve the outcomes that those in senior management and elsewhere believe will happen.

Amalgamation of Donegal with the Sligo-Leitrim division is a case in point.

Donegal has a population of 166,321 compared with the combined population of 105,285 of Sligo-Leitrim, according to the 2022 census.

The total number of gardaí in Donegal is 373 compared with 286 in Sligo-Leitrim.

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Donegal has a vast rural, coastal and border area which has to be managed, along with the biggest fishing port.

The actual functional frontline numbers of gardaí available to patrol in any period is minimal.

The introduction of the five-unit roster system saw a huge reduction of gardaí who were available in any rostered period.

While senior managers try to allay the fears of the public and elected representatives, the stark reality is that this amalgamation, and the reduction in numbers of districts, is more of a cost-saving exercise than it has to do with strategic planning or policing.

Resignations, suspensions, retirements, sickness and injuries all feed into the decision- making of senior managers.

More worrying is that specialist units will be diverted to a more central command, like Ballyshannon, where a new divisional headquarters is more likely to be centred.

Superintendents and inspectors will no longer be in charge of districts but in charge of specific portfolios.

This model of policing may be more suited to large populated urban areas but I don’t believe it is suited for rural areas like Donegal or other counties of similar stature.

We may come to regret the decisions made by those at senior management level, but time will tell.

Are the gardaí no longer servants of the people or are they slaves to academic models of policing that I don’t believe are fit for purpose? – Yours, etc,

CHRISTY GALLIGAN

(Retired Gda Sgt),

Letterkenny,

Co Donegal.