Deficiencies in systems and practices highlighted:
- Serious failures in the recording, classification and reclassification of crime incidents.
- Inconsistencies in the claiming of detections.
- A lack of oversight of the decision making process.
- No standardised crime management process for reviewing, allocating and monitoring of investigations and ensuring each investigation is effective.
- An absence of intrusive supervision of crime investigations.
- Inexperienced gardaí investigating serious crimes.
- A new roster that does not adequately support the investigative process.
- Concerns over the timeliness of investigations.
- Inconsistent approach to updating victims of crime.
- Foundation training provided pre-2014 for investigating crime does not adequately equip gardaí for the task.
- Lack of IT and equipment to support the investigation of crime.
- Deficiencies in offender management practices particularly in the taking of fingerprints.
Some of the key recommendations in the Garda Inspectorate report:
- Implement a new divisional model of delivering policing services including detective resources.
- Procure a Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) that accurately records calls for service and efficiently uses available resources.
- Develop a new national crime investigation/records management system
- In the interim, take actions to improve the use of the PULSE incident recording system.
- Designate the Garda Information Service Centre (GISC) as the final decision maker in the classification of crime and for ensuring that detections are correctly recorded.
- Establish a crime management unit model on a divisional basis and include a system of Dedicated Decision Makers to decide on the classification of crime and approving the detection of a PULSE incident record.
- Develop new Crime Counting Rules for both recording and detecting crime in which the Central Statistics Office should have a central role.
- Introduce National Incident and Crime Recording Standards.
- Appoint a Force Crime Registrar with responsibility for accuracy and integrity of the recording of incidents and detections.
- Develop major incident investigation teams to investigate murders and other specified serious crimes.
- Implement systems to improve the quality of supervision of crime investigation.
- Improve the service and information provided to victims of crime.
- Develop and implement a technology based custody system.
- Improve investigative skills for gathering best evidence.
- Examine the whole process of fingerprinting and managing of persons detained in custody.
- Develop Standard Operating Procedures for the management of warrants and bail.