17/08/2010 -

JPC Plan Launched

Sligo Public have their say on Joint Policing

Sligo Borough Joint Policing Committee’s Public Consultation Meeting  in Northside Resource Centre, Forthill, discussed the Sligo/Leitrim Annual Garda Policing Plan 2011 and outlined the role and functions area of the role of the committee.

Chairperson of the Policing Committee Councillor Chris MacManus highlighted the importance of the committee’s work:

‘Each year the local Sligo\Leitrim Division of An Garda Siochana prepare and then implement a Policing Plan for the Sligo\Leitrim area. For the first time in this region a local community will be able to assist that process by meeting and discussing a range of issues such as Crime, Public Order, Effective Roads Policing and Community Engagement. This input from the public will then inform and assist An Garda Siochana as they prepare the 2011 Policing Plan for this area.

Sligo Borough JPC views this type of public consultation as being of high importance. This was the second public meeting since I became Chair twelve months ago and I intend to continue this level of engagement with the public over the next number of years.

I ask that people within our community, would no longer stand on the sidelines pointing out what is wrong in Sligo, but would get involved, engage with ourselves and An Garda Siochana and have your say in how our community should be policed.’

Chair of Sligo Borough Council Joint Policing Committee Councillor Chris MacManus and Vice-Chair Councillor David Cawley promoting the Sligo/Leitrim Policing Plan 2011

Background
Joint Policing Committees were established under Section 36 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.  They offer local authority elected members, An Garda Síochána, members of the Public & 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.  A Joint Policing Committee was established in the Sligo Borough Council Administrative area in July 2006.                   

Membership of Sligo Borough Council JPC

• All 12 local authority elected members of the Borough Council.
• 3 members of the Oireachtas.
• 2 officials nominated by the county manager, one of whom may be the county manager.
• 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 borough.

Functions of the JPC

• To serve as a forum for consultation, discussion and recommendation on matters affecting the policing of the Sligo Borough Council administrative area by:
• Keeping Under Review: Levels & patterns of crime, disorder & anti-social behaviour in that area.
  Factors underlying & contributing to the levels of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area.Advising the Local Authority and the Gardaí on how best they might perform their functions.
• Arranging & hosting public meetings concerning matters affecting the policing of the Local Authority’s administrative area.

A copy of the 2010 Sligo/Leitrim Garda Policing Plan is available to download from www.garda.ie.