Introduction Context It is a peculiar, but familiar, paradox in these islands that government reform in the wake of major police scandal and abuse includes … Read more
Category: policing
Comprehensive Garda Reform – Again
Introduction A few weeks ago, the Irish Minister for Justice published the ‘General Scheme of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill’. It aims to … Read more
Combating Garda corruption
Introduction Internal corruption of various types has been a high profile and persistent problem for the Garda Síochána for decades. The shelves are stacked with … Read more
Policing hostile activity at UK ports and border
Introduction The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2019 confers extensive powers on an “examining officer” to stop, question and detain a person at a UK port … Read more
Police Interviews and COVID-19
Introduction Traditionally, criminal investigation, prosecution and trial have been organised and conducted on the basis that the relevant participants are in each other’s physical presence. … Read more
Police Firearms Operations in the UK
Introduction Fatal police shootings of civilians during pre-planned operations have been increasing in England over the past few decades. Although the total numbers are still … Read more
Police Pre-Charge Bail in England and Wales
Introduction In 2017 the UK government introduced restrictions on the police use of ‘pre-charge bail’ following widespread and sustained concerns with the manner and extent … Read more
Police retention of biometric data
Introduction Before 2012, it was standard practice for the police to take the fingerprints, photograph and a DNA sample (from which a DNA profile was … Read more
Police complaints reform
Introduction The handling of complaints against the police has been a subject of significant public concern in each of the jurisdictions of the UK and … Read more
Garda/PSNI Joint Investigation Team
A few weeks ago, the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland established the first ‘Joint Investigation Team’ to advance the cross-border investigation … Read more