Our History

The concept and roles of the Community-Police Consultative Councils were developed from the recommendations of the Fitzgerald Report and reference to relevant sections of that report provide an overview and understanding of both the roles and the obligations of the Councils.

Section 8.3 "Changing the Approach", provides several important criteria in regard to the aims and roles of community policing, ie the community and police working together. The following quotations are particularly relevant.

In regard to "Reactive Policing", the report states" if crime is to be reduced and the public reassured, the police and the public must co-operate in initiating strategies to protect citizens from crime and capture and prosecute offenders." [Section 8.3.2 (b)]

In regard to "Preventive Policing", the report states "the challenge for police is to involve the community in developing new approaches which achieve results, constrain growth rates and ultimately reverse them" [Section 8.3.2 (c)].

In regard to "Community Policing", the report states "to be successful, community policing and crime prevention must focus on the needs of particular communities and involve the community in meeting those needs" [Section 8.3.2 (d) (i)].

In regard to "Developing Community Policing Programmes and Strategies", the report states "the establishment of community crime committees consisting of members of the public, police officers, welfare and other community groups is the first step in community-based crime prevention" [Section 8.3.2 (d) (ii)].
This selection from the report highlights the importance of co-operation between the community and police. It confirms the need for ongoing and increased support from the police for ongoing operation of Community Consultative Councils and where desirable, the nurturing of new Councils.