Legislation for the Establishment of Joint Policing Committees
Under Section 36 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005, Joint Policing Committees have been established to provide a forum where Local Authority and senior Garda Officers responsible for the policing of that area, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting policing of that area. Kildare has five Joint Policing Committees (JPC)
- County Joint Policing Committee (JPC)
- Leixlip Town Council JPC
- Naas Town Council JPC
- Newbridge Town Council JPC
- Athy Town Council JPC (Already established as a pilot in 2007)
Guidelines
Download the Guidelines for Joint Policing Committees
Membership of the County JPC
The committee has 26 members comprising:
- 13 Elected members with at least two from each electoral area. The Mayor will be an ex-officio member.
- 5 Oireachtas members
- 2 Local Authority Representatives (The manager and one other nominee)
- 2 Garda Representative (One being the Chief Superintendent)
- 3 Community Representatives.
Purpose of the Joint Policing Committee
The purpose of the Joint Policing Committee is to serve as a forum for consultation, discussion and recommendation on matters affecting the policing of a Local Authority by:
- Keeping under review: Levels and patterns of crime, disorder & Anti-social behaviour in that area
- Advising the Local Authority and the Gardai on how best they might perform their functions having regard to the need to do everything feasible to improve the safety and quality of life and to prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour with the area.
- Arranging and hosting public meetings concerning matters affecting the policing of the Local Authorities administrative area.
- Establishing in consultation with the local Garda Superintendent local policing forums.
Matters for consideration for Joint Policing Committees
The matters to be considered by committees and subcommittees might include traffic, vandalism, anti-social behaviour, underage drinking, casual trading, litter, planning for events attracting large crowds, community based crime prevention initiatives, Garda Divisional and District annual policing plans and Local Authority initiatives.