Sligo County Joint Policing Committee

28/05/2009 -

Background

Joint Policing Committees were established under Section 36 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005.  They offer local authority elected members, An Garda Síochána, members of the public and members of the Oireachtas, the opportunity to make a significant impact on the quality of life within communities, by working together as a collective body.

Sligo Borough Council Joint Policing Committee was set up in July 2006 as one of twenty two pilot Joint Policing Committees which were established nationally. In 2008 Joint Policing Committees were rolled out to all 114 local authority areas.  A Joint Policing Committee was established for the Sligo County Council Administrative area in December 2008. 

Membership of Sligo County Council JPC

• 13 local authority elected members. The Cathaoirleach is an ex-officio member. 
• 5 members of the Oireachtas. 
• The County Manager who is an ex-officio member and a person nominated by him. 
• 2 Garda officers nominated by the Commissioner and accompanied by other Garda Officers as need arises.
• 3 persons representing the Community and Voluntary sector in the county.

Functions of the JPC

The function of the JPC is to serve as a forum for consultation, discussion and recommendation on matters affecting the policing of the Sligo County Council administrative area by: 

1. Keeping under review: 
   

   • levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in that area.
   • factors underlying and contributing to the levels of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area.
2. Advising the Local Authority and the Gardaí on how best they might perform their functions.
3. Arranging and hosting public meetings concerning matters affecting the policing of the Local Authority’s administrative area.

How the JPC works

The JPC will meet four times per year with one of these meetings being a public meeting. Members of the wider community are invited to submit written questions to be answered at the public meeting by the relevant members of the JPC. The public are also given the opportunity to put questions directly to members of the JPC during an open meeting.

There have been two meetings of the Sligo County Council Joint Policing Committee, to date in 2009. 

According to the Joint Policing Committee guidelines issued by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, issues for consideration by the Joint Policing Committee include:

• Illegal drugs; Traffic management; CCTV;
• Youth diversion; Public Order; Vandalism;
• Safer Neighbourhoods; Casual trading; Litter;
• Community-based crime prevention initiatives;
• Planning of major events attracting large crowds;
• Consideration of drink licensing applications;
• Estate management.

JPCS are a facilitating body and a forum for discussion.  They are intended as a means of building trust and confidence, bringing communities together in a way in which all participants feel comfortable.  It is intended that the JPCs should engage with local community groups to the greatest degree possible as these groups are an important resource in tackling many of the issues addressed by the JPCs.

 
- Back Row Left to Right - Councillor Seamus Kilgannon, Councillor Albert Higgins, Rita McNulty Director of Services, Sligo County Council, Councillor Gerry Murray, Councillor Sean MacManus, Councillor Margaret Gormley (Vice Chair), Councillor Paul Conmy, John Perry T.D., Brendan Queenan Community Representative, Chris Davis Community Representative, Councillor Joe Queenan.

- Front Row Left to Right - Supt. Kevin Ginty, Councillor Deirdre Healy McGowan, Chief Supt. Kieran Kenny, Councillor Jude Devins (Chair), Councillor Mary Barrett, Hubert Kearns, County Manager, Senator Geraldine Feeney, Senator Marc MacSharry.

- Absent from photo:
Councillor Joe Leonard, Councillor Aidan Colleary, Councillor Veronica Cawley, Jimmy Devins T.D., Eamon Scanlon T.D., Michael Rochford Community Representative, Supt. Michael Barrett.