The Garda Siochána will target crime at all levels next year, including organised crime and drug-related crime, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said today.
He was speaking as the Garda published its policing plan for 2009.
The plan includes the priorities of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and is based on consultation with the community and other partners. It concludes the three-year planning cycle outlined in the Corporate Strategy 2007-2009, the commissioner said.
“Partnership and consultation are central not just to the policing plan itself but to the delivery of a policing service throughout the country on a daily basis.
"We have to ensure that we are addressing people’s concerns and meeting their needs. It is through maintaining contact with the community and building relationships that we can best achieve this."
Mr Murphy said the plan outlined the "key actions" gardai will undertake in preventing and detecting crime next year.
"We will continue to target those people who are committing crime at all levels including organised crime and drug crime. We will also focus on anti-social behaviour and public disorder which can affect the quality of life in local communities. In line with our continuing commitment to road safety and roads policing we will work with other agencies to change driver behaviour and reduce deaths on our roads."
The commissioner said he was also determined to ensure that people feel safe on the streets and in their homes.
"This plan is directed at achieving that objective and ensuring that we consistently seek to deliver the highest standards of professional policing for the community.”
The plan includes a commitment to introducing privatised speed camera operation by the second half of the year. The Garda also plans to roll out a number plate recognition system for vehicles in the course of the year.
Other developments include a new Garda website to be launched in the first quarter of 2009, with a roll-out of email access for members in the second half of the year.
The Garda is also to examine the number of civilians in the force, with a view to maximising the number of civilians carrying out tasks currently done by uniformed members.
The force also plans to recruit 400 new gardai next year.