Human rights commission weighs in on future of policing

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has published its formal input to the Commission on the Future of Policing.

In its report, the Commission notes progress made across a number of human rights and equality issues in policing, such as the Garda Racial and Intercultural and Diversity Office now having over 270 Diversity Officers working nationwide, and the establishment of the Garda Victim Services Offices, among other steps forward.

However, it makes fifteen recommendations to strengthen human rights and equality protections across broad areas including victims’ rights, racial profiling, domestic violence, hate crime and covert surveillance.

The report also draws on the experience of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in appointing an independent human rights advisor.

Emily Logan, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said: “Across areas such as protecting victims’ rights, ensuring diversity in our policing, and seeing hate crime properly recorded and investigated, the Commission is clear that human rights and equality standards and practices, if properly and fundamentally embedded, will help strengthen our police force and reinforce community support for policing.

“The Commission welcomes the opportunity to support the valuable work of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.”