Communication, Engagement and Partnership with Communities and Stakeholders
This domain tests how you build trust and co-produce safety with communities and partner agencies rather than treating engagement as publicity. It covers community policing, Joint Policing Committees, Local Community Safety Partnerships, victim engagement and inter-agency work.
Core rules
- Community policing depends on visible presence, listening, problem-solving and feedback.
- Joint Policing Committees were established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005; the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 provides for Local Community Safety Partnerships as the successor structure, subject to commencement.
- Partners include local authorities, HSE, Tusla, schools, businesses, victim support services and minority community organisations.
- The Garda Public Attitudes Survey measures trust, legitimacy and community confidence.
- Victims should receive clear information, respect and referral under the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017.
Worked example
Residents report anti-social behaviour at a local park. A sergeant attends the Joint Policing Committee, hears that lighting and lack of youth facilities are underlying issues, and agrees a joint action plan with the council and youth service. Gardaí increase patrols at peak times, the council repairs lighting and the youth service runs evening activities. The sergeant reports back to residents and reviews reported incidents after six weeks.
Traps
Do not treat a meeting as engagement without follow-up. Do not speak only to the loudest residents. Do not promise what another agency must deliver. Do not ignore feedback. Do not confuse partnership with surrendering operational independence.