The Commission on the Future of Policing will host its first open evening in Athlone next week, and has invited members of the public, local community groups and interested stakeholders with views on the future of policing to attend.
The open evening is the first event of this type being held by the Commission, and will take place in Athlone Civic Offices, Church Street, next Thursday, December 14 from 6pm to 8pm. The event is an opportunity for members of the public to meet with Commission members in an informal setting to discuss the future of policing.
The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland was established by Government in May, 2017 to develop a blueprint for policing in Ireland into the future. The Commission is tasked with undertaking an independent, comprehensive examination of all aspects of policing in Ireland, including all functions currently carried out by An Garda Síochána, as well as the full range of oversight bodies.
Chairperson of the Commission, Kathleen O’Toole, said: “I’m delighted that the Commission will be hosting its first open evening in Athlone. Consultation is central to informing the Commission’s work and we are eager to hear the views of the people in the Midlands. As we work towards a blueprint for policing in Ireland it is essential that we hear directly from the very communities that a police service seeks to serve and protect.
"Through these public meetings and our call for submissions, the Commission wants to stimulate a genuine national conversation on the future of policing in Ireland – so we would encourage everyone with an interest in the issue to come to our public meeting, and send us their views and opinions. All of these perspectives will help to inform our work.”
Members of the public are invited to make submissions online at www.policereform.ie before the deadline of January 31, 2018.
