Law Society: Garda reform should focus on community policing and restorative justice

The Law Society of Ireland has recommended an increased community policing role for gardaí and an increased focus on restorative justice in its recent submission to the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CFP).

The Law Society’s 14 recommendations include placing the role of the solicitor in attending Garda station interviews on a statutory footing.

Commenting, Ken Murphy, director general of the Law Society, said: “Solicitors, in their representation of victims of crime as well as in criminal defence, can offer a unique perspective on policing.

“We know that focussed and strategic community policing has several benefits, not least restoring public confidence in the Gardaí while also acting as a deterrent to potential offenders.

“Rather than simply responding to crimes once they have been committed, community policing concentrates on preventing crime and eliminating the atmosphere of fear it creates.”

Mr Murphy said a community policing approach “could have a particular impact in rural areas where feelings of isolation, fear and vulnerability have been exacerbated by the closure of local Garda stations and decreased visible presence of gardaí”.

The Law Society submission highlighted the success of the dedicated Office of Community Policing Services in the United States.

Meanwhile, it pointed to the success of two restorative justice programmes in Ireland (Restorative Justice in the Community in Nenagh and Restorative Justice Services in Tallaght) which recommended the use of restorative justice on a national basis.

It added that restorative justice programmes delivered by Greater Manchester Police and Thames Valley Police have reported successful outcomes for both crime victims and offenders.

Mr Murphy said: “The Society recommends that the Commission promotes the use of properly-resourced restorative justice initiatives by An Garda Síochána and evaluates the current systems and resources available for this type of work.”