Three is to become two where the county’s Joint Policing Committees (JPCs ) are concerned, with the county committee to be dissolved in favour of just two committees in Athlone and Mullingar.
In place of the previous system where separate committees operated at Athlone, Mullingar, and Westmeath level, from now on just two groups will operate in the county. The Mullingar JPC is to be broadened to include representation from the wider Mullingar and Coole electoral areas, while the Athlone committee is to take in representation from the Athlone and Kilbeggan areas.
The decision was taken in order to prevent oversight and to avoid duplication.
In place of a county committee, the current chairman will meet annually with the chairs of the other two committees, along with the chief superintendent and the county manager, to review the operation of the two JPCs.
Joint Policing Committees provide a forum for the local authority and senior Garda officers, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interest representatives, to discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area.
