Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community gardaí here; the number of community gardaí deployed in Athlone, Mullingar and Longford, and in total throughout this Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the issue of this voluntary force. [14756/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 28 February 2009, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the total number of Gardaí assigned to the Community Policing Unit was 736. The areas referred to by the Deputy are covered by Roscommon /Longford and Westmeath divisions. A breakdown of the Community Policing strength of the two Divisions by station was as follows:

The Commissioner recently launched a new National Model of Community Policing for An Garda Síochána. This new model will build on the success of existing good community policing practice and I look forward to the implementation of this plan. A National Community Policing Office will be established within Garda Community Relations Section and every district officer throughout the country will take ownership of community policing within their area of responsibility.