A new initiative to improve the quality of the Garda Síochána, particularly in relation to the preparation of prosecution files, is to be led by a new quality unit ordered by Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell.
The 20-strong Garda Professional Standards Unit will be able to carry out spot checks in Garda stations to ensure that investigation files are properly prepared, and on other elements of a station's performance.
In August 2003 Director of Public Prosecutions James Hamilton complained that significant numbers of Garda files sent to him were not prosecuted because the paperwork was so poorly carried out.
Speaking then to the Association of Garda Superintendents' magazine, the Garda Times, Mr Hamilton said some files were "extremely poor", while gardaí failed to produce key evidence in 90 per cent of cases where he decided not to prosecute.
Urging gardaí to use standardised forms when preparing prosecution files, the DPP said he believed that some gardaí did not always know exactly what is expected of them.
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy announced the creation of the Garda Professional Standards Unit to representative organisations at a meeting of the force's consultative council in early December.
Last night Mr McDowell said the establishment of the new unit was a key part of the ongoing reform of An Garda Síochána that would ensure that best practice was followed, delivering value for money.
The new body, which is specifically provided for in Section 24 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, will have "responsibilities for addressing performance, effectiveness and efficiency across all levels of policing activity".
It will be responsible for "the maintenance, development and promotion of professional standards in keeping with best international practice, the monitoring and assessment of performance".
Before deciding on the final shape of the new unit, the Garda Commissioner reviewed "best practice" models already in place in police forces throughout the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
Led by a chief superintendent, the standards unit, Mr McDowell said, will have to produce "verifiable and non-anecdotal evidence of Garda standards and performance and to make firm and appropriate recommendations for improvement where necessary.
"It will ensure consistency, cohesion and credibility in how An Garda Síochána measures and monitors performance and publicly verifies its standards," Mr McDowell said last night.
"The establishment of this professional standards unit and the Garda Inspectorate are practical examples of the Government's determination to support An Garda Síochána in their efforts to meet the challenges of enhanced professionalism, performance and accountability," he said.
Eight other gardaí - two superintendents, two inspectors and four sergeants - will be assigned to the standards unit, while 11 civilians, including management experts, will also be recruited.
The standards unit will complement the work of the independent Garda Inspectorate, which will be established shortly and which will be able to submit reports on, and make recommendations about, policing matters to the Minister.
"The objective of the inspectorate," Mr McDowell said, "is to ensure that the resources available to An Garda Síochána are used so as to achieve and maintain the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness in its operation and administration, as measured by reference to the best standards of comparable police services".
Meanwhile, the Garda Ombudsman, led by former High Court judge Kevin Haugh, will be tasked with independently investigating complaints by the public against members of the force, instead of the present Garda Complaints Board.
