Policing expert Dr Vicky Conway spoke of the need for an independent Commission on Policing when she addressed a consultation seminar on justice reform in Ireland, organised by the Irish Minister for Justice.
Dr Conway, a Senior Lecturer at Kent Law School, was one of four speakers invited to address an audience which included senior representatives from the Gardai (Ireland’s national police force), the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Ireland’s police ombudsman) and experts from legal and academic sectors.
The seminar was convened to address key questions relating to the establishment of a new Independent Policing Authority in Ireland.
Dr Conway’s paper, Reforming an Garda Síochána, focused on issues of culture, governance and accountability within the Irish police force and called for an independent commission to help reach a full understanding of the current weaknesses of policing in Ireland.
In her conclusion, Dr Conway said: ‘A unique opportunity presents itself, where there is broad agreement on the need to reform policing. For those with the capacity to reform policing in Ireland, my primary call would be for the creation of a Patten style commission which would conduct a thorough review of policing in Ireland, listening to all those with views to express.”
Other speakers at the seminar attended by more than 100, included Ireland’s Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, and acting Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan.
Dr Conway’s research expertise in policing, miscarriages of justice and criminology is regularly called upon by Irish media. Earlier this year, she was quoted as a ‘top security expert’ by Irish newspaper, Herald.ie.
Dr Conway is the author of The Blue Wall of Silence on police accountability and the Morris Tribunal. Her third book, Policing Twentieth Century Ireland was published last year by Routledge. For more information about her publications, visit Dr Conway’s staff profile page.