Proposals to extend rural policing in Mayo revealed by minister

Rural community policing is to be extended in Mayo, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has informed Deputy Dillon.

She elaborated: "It is envisaged that in some rural areas existing personnel will form the community policing teams, CPTs.

"It is important to recognise that they will have dual functions as first responders and CPT members.

"In addition, CPTs will be augmented by community support gardaí, who will perform front-line duties and be assigned to particular community policing areas to support dedicated community gardaí.

"In this way, people will know who their gardaí are and be able to contact them directly.

"The roll-out of CPTs will complement the roll-out of new community safety partnerships, which will be established nationwide in 2024 after the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill is commenced.

"This will bring together gardaí, members of the community, various agencies and local representatives to work on a plan to serve communities."

The existing dedicated community policing unit for Mayo currently comprises two sergeants and seven gardaí.

These dedicated community policing units are assisted by garda members across the community engagement areas, who act as community gardaí as part of their regular duties.

In the meantime, Castlebar Garda Station, in HQ of the Mayo Roscommon Longford Policing Division, remains without a superintendent.