Press release
Recruitment competition for CEO designate of the new Policing and Community Safety Authority
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Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has today welcomed the launch of a competition to recruit a Chief Executive Officer designate for the forthcoming new agency - An tÚdarás Póilíneachta agus Sábháilteachta Pobail, the Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) - which will be established following the enactment of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, which is currently before the Seanad.
The competition has been launched today by the Public Appointments Service with the deadline for applications to close at 3pm on Thursday, 16 November.
Once established, the PCSA will consolidate and enhance the broad-ranging oversight functions of the existing Policing Authority and the expert inspection functions of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate into a new body. This is a key step toward a more cohesive and effective framework for the independent oversight of An Garda Síochána and to help us building stronger, safe communities.
The establishment of the PCSA is one important element of the broad overall suite of changes being delivered under the Policing, Security and Community Bill 2023.
A comprehensive implementation programme is running in parallel with the passage of the Bill to ensure that the new structures and provisions can be established as soon as possible following enactment.
The key role of the PCSA will be to review and assess the performance of An Garda Síochána and to promote the continuous improvement of An Garda Síochána in delivering on their mission of ‘Keeping People Safe’. The independent body will benefit from an expert, in-house inspection function, which will have robust inspection powers, including the power to conduct unannounced visits of Garda premises.
The PCSA will also promote inter-agency collaboration and community engagement to improve community safety, including through oversight of Garda cooperation and collaboration with other relevant agencies. This is in line with the policy underpinning the Bill that improving and maintaining community safety is not only the responsibility of An Garda Síochána, but requires a whole-of-government and cross-society approach.
The PCSA will also continue to fulfil the important public awareness and engagement role of the current Policing Authority, including through regular public meetings with the Garda Commissioner and his senior leadership team.
Announcing the competition, Minister McEntee said:
“I very much value the important work that is currently undertaken by both the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.
“The successful candidate for this position will have a unique opportunity to build on this work in the new PCSA which will strengthen and further develop the independent, external oversight of An Garda Síochána.
“They will play a significant leadership role in upholding the performance, community safety, accountability and transparency responsibilities of An Garda Síochána for the benefit of the communities they serve.
"The launch of the CEO competition is a significant milestone in the large programme of work underway in my department and the relevant agencies to prepare for enactment and commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Bill.
“This work is ongoing in parallel to the passage of the legislation through the Houses to ensure the various new bodies, structures and processes can be established as soon as possible following the enactment of the Bill.
“Implementing these wide ranging reforms is key for me as we work to build stronger, safer communities.
“This Bill provides for a new framework for policing governance and oversight. It also strengthens collaboration and coordination across Government, between agencies and with communities themselves to improve and maintain community safety.
"In combination, this will support the optimal performance of An Garda Síochána as a professional, ethical, modern and effective police and security service that is well-managed, cost-effective, properly trained and equipped, and clearly accountable.
“This is critical to our mission to build safer, stronger communities.”
As provided for under the Bill, the Minister may designate a person to be appointed as the first Chief Executive of the Authority in advance of the establishment of the Authority. This person shall stand appointed as the first Chief Executive on the establishment day.
When enacted, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 will repeal the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) in its entirety.