Garda inspectorate reports on changes

The Garda Síochána Inspectorate yesterday published progress reports on the implementation of 108 recommendations in the areas of missing persons, roads policing and resource allocation.

Of 18 recommendations in the area of missing persons, 17 had been implemented, according to the report.

These included the training of Missing Persons Bureau staff in family liaison and child interviewing skills.

A recommendation that the Garda and the Health Service Executive define a joint protocol for when children in care go missing had been implemented in April 2009, the report said.

The report said that there were “no immediate plans” to update current missing-persons technology to allow for the collaboration and co-ordination with the PSNI and other police services in Europe.

In the area of roads policing, a recommendation by the inspectorate that all Garda recruits possess a valid driving licence prior to employment is “still under consideration”, according to the progress report.

A plan to deploy automatic recognition of number plates to “deny criminals the use of the road” has been implemented on 54 Garda computers.

In the area of resource allocation, plans to increase civilianisation in some functions have seen 18 civilian call-takers hired to release gardaí to front-line duties.

Sixteen JobBridge interns are currently being sought to work in the Garda Central Vetting Unit.

However, the report said some 300 civilian staff will be required to improve this service to the public.