The new Garda Inspectorate was finally established yesterday after Minister for Justice Michael McDowell announced the appointment of two further inspectors for the body.
Robert Olson, former chief of police in Minneapolis, and Gwen Boniface, currently commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, were appointed following a public competition which attracted 67 candidates from Ireland and abroad.
They join the Chief Inspector, former Boston Police commissioner Kathleen O'Toole, who was appointed in May. The two new inspectors will take up their appointments in September.
Announcing the appointments yesterday, Mr McDowell said the selection process had "succeeded in bringing together three highly accomplished policing experts who have headed their respective police forces".
"They have provided competent and stable leadership for their forces in very challenging times and personally led them through major change programmes. I am confident that, as a team, they will play a most important role in ensuring that the Garda Síochána operates at a level of efficiency and effectiveness that is in keeping with best international practice."
The inspectorate's first task will be to review all operational and administrative aspects of the Garda, identify strengths and weakness and recommend improvements. Mr McDowell has asked for an interim report by next January and a final one next May. The review will focus on the force's crime reduction and public safety strategies, resource allocation including personnel, and technology systems.
The Department of Justice said yesterday the inspectorate would consult widely with representatives of the Department of Justice, Garda management, representative associations and the public.
The Department of Justice said yesterday that it has also asked the inspectorate specifically to review Garda procedures and practices for dealing with incidents such as the Abbeylara siege which resulted in the shooting dead of John Carthy.
"Ms O'Toole is currently studying a copy of the [ Barr] tribunal report and has already contacted the Garda Commissioner about arrangements for the review," the department said.
Set up under An Garda Síochána Act of 2005, the inspectorate is allowed, at the request or with the consent of the Minister, carry out "inspections or inquiries in relation to any particular aspects of the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána". It will submit reports on its inquiries to the Minister for Justice.
It will also provide advice to the Minister with regard to best policing practice. However it has no role in investigating specific complaints about the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána.
"Responsibility for such complaints currently rests with the Garda Síochána Complaints Board and will transfer, in due course, to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission", the department said.
Mr Olson served for nine years as chief of police of the City of Minneapolis from 1995 to 2004. He previously served as police commissioner for the City of Yonkers, the fourth largest city in New York State, and prior to that as chief of police for the City of Corpus Christi, Texas. He has 38 years' experience as a police officer holding command positions in uniform, detective and technical services.
Ms Boniface was the first woman police commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police in 1998 and led significant police restructuring and change management, the Department of Justice said yesterday.
She is a past president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and holds a bachelor of arts degree from York University and bachelor of laws from Osgoode Hall. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1990.