Joint Policing Committees
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From: Department of Justice
- Published on: 28 February 2019
- Last updated on: 12 January 2023
The functions and powers of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) are set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for a Committee in each local authority area.
Joint Policing Committees
Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) provide a dedicated forum to support consultation, cooperation and synergy on policing and crime issues between An Garda Síochána, local authority officials, elected representatives and the community and voluntary sectors. A JPC operates in each of the City, City and County and County Council areas.
Revised guidelines for the operation of JPCs
As per section 35(1) of the Garda Síochána act, as amended by the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, the Policing Authority has, following a period of consultation with Joint Policing Committees (JPCs), the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, revised the guidelines for JPCs.
The revised guidelines place a renewed emphasis on the need for JPCs to be strategic in their focus, to engage with and be representative of the full diversity of their community and to undertake capacity building and evaluation of their work. The ambition for the guidelines is that they will contribute to an increased consistency in approach and operation across JPCs, in preparation for their transition to Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs).
The guidelines were launched at the Policing Authority’s annual event for the Chairpersons and Chief Executives of JPCs held on 19 September 2022 and have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The guidelines are presented in three formats:
- a summary of the revision made to the previous (2008) guidelines - Garda Síochána Act 2005 Joint Policing Committees Guidelines August 2014
- a consolidated version showing changes from the previous guidelines - Garda Síochána Act 2005 Joint Policing Committees Guidelines August 2014
- Joint Policing Committees Guidelines - September 2022 (English and Irish versions)
