An Garda Síochána Louth Division
Older People Strategy Implementation Plan
Foreword The Louth Garda Division is dedicated to implementing An Garda Síochána Older People Strategy throughout Co. Louth. In the past year, many steps have been taken towards achieving this goal. The Louth Garda Division has worked very closely with Louth County Council and the Louth Older People’s Forum to establish the Louth Age Friendly County Alliance. Chief Superintendent Patrick McGee, Louth Divisional Officer, represents an Garda Síochána as part of the executive committee of this alliance. The Louth Age Friendly County Alliance has enjoyed a number of successes in the past months. Through the work of the alliance, Co. Louth has been designated an ‘age friendly county’.
In 2011, President Mary McAleese launched the Louth Age Friendly County website. The Louth Garda Division has a webpage on this site which is updated regularly with security and crime prevention advice for the older person, as well as contact details for every Garda station in Co. Louth and the names and contact details of Community Gardaí across the county. The Louth Division Older People Strategy – Implementation Plan sets out the way in which the Louth Division will continue to build on recent achievements and will ensure the highest level of service is provided to older members of the community.
Objective One
Develop and maintain effective communication links between Gardaí and older people
National Initiative 1.1
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Outcome Required
Instil in all Gardaí the importance of engaging and communicating with older people.
All Gardaí to be trained in this regard through the CPD programme.
Chief Superintendent
Improved service provision
Divisional training rollout will be based on an Garda Síochána Older People Strategy and will be in line with Garda training models.
Each Superintendent
Courses and presentations will be sourced from Age Action group. Junior members will be rotated onto Community Policing Units for experiential learning.
National Initiative 1.2
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Engage with statutory and non statutory agencies in common geographic areas to enhance / establish communication links appropriate to assess the needs and expectations of older people.
The Louth Garda Division will continue to work with Louth County Council and representatives from the older community to build on the success of the Louth Age Friendly County Alliance.
Chief Superintendent
National Initiative 1.3
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Louth Division will continue to implement and communicate the Garda Síochána Older People Strategy through the Louth Age Friendly County Alliance.
Chief Superintendent
Develop and communicate the Strategy for Older People in line with An Garda Síochána’s Strategy Statement 2010-2012, and other existing strategies.
National Initiative 1.4 Promote and utilise the experience and wisdom of older people in their communities, and encourage their participation in crime prevention initiatives.
Outcome Required Improved understanding of needs of older people.
This alliance provides an excellent means of Each communication between the older Superintendent community and statutory agencies.
Outcome Required Co-ordinated approach to Strategy Implementation.
The Garda section of the Louth Age Each Friendly County website will be updated on Superintendent a continuing basis by the nominated liaison Garda.
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Older people will be encouraged to participate in new and existing Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert initiatives.
Chief Superintendent
Older members of the community will be invited to talk to youth groups and youth clubs as guest speakers, accompanied by Gardaí.
Each Superintendent
Outcome Required Strengthening of community links and improved contribution from older people to communities.
National Initiative 1.5
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Through the medium of local and national media keep communities informed of policing issues that affect older people.
The Garda section of the Louth Age Chief Superintendent Friendly County website will be updated continuously.
Process Owner
Outcome Required Reduced isolation and increased engagement.
Garda slots on Dundalk FM and LMFM Each Superintendent radio stations, as well as articles in local newspapers will be used to keep communities informed of policing issues relative to older people.
National Initiative 1.6
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Explore diverse technology channels to increase engagement and contact with older people.
The Louth Age Friendly County website will be used to increase engagement and contact with older people.
Chief Superintendent
National Initiative 1.7
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Publicise and promote initiatives and good practices that An Garda Síochána has established.
Local radio stations, newspapers and the Chief Superintendent Louth Age Friendly County website will be used to promote Garda initiatives.
National Initiative 1.8
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Update, review and publicise the Strategy on a continuing basis.
The Divisional Strategy Evaluation Chief Superintendent Committee, under the direction of Chief Superintendent, Louth will review and update the Strategy on an ongoing basis.
Gardaí will promote the use of safety and security devices amongst older people.
Outcome Required Reduced isolation and increased engagement.
Each Superintendent
Process Owner
Outcome Required Reduced isolation and increased engagement.
Community Gardaí will carry out visits to Each Superintendent Old Folks Clubs and Senior Citizens Groups to give presentations on Garda initiatives.
The Louth Age Friendly County website will be updated to reflect any changes in the Strategy.
Process Owner
Outcome Required Improved responsiveness to needs and expectations of older people.
Objective Two
Deliver a timely and effective proactive response by An Garda Síochána for older people
National Initiative 2.1
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Determine the policing requirements of older people and appropriate responses.
Submissions to the annual Louth Division Policing Plan will be invited from older members of the community.
Chief Superintendent
Community Gardaí will provide feedback from older persons on a day to day basis at operational level.
Each Superintendent
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Deliver high visibility targeted patrolling, both mobile and foot, in neighbourhoods where older people reside and congregate.
Gardaí will work with Local Authorities to address issues highlighted by older residents.
Chief Superintendent
National Initiative 2.3
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
National Initiative 2.2
Outcome Required Targeted responses appropriate to requirements.
Outcome Required Targeted responses appropriate to requirements.
Each Operation Anvil will be utilised to deploy Superintendent targeted patrols where older people reside.
Process Owner
Continue to develop and distribute The Louth Age Friendly County website will Chief be used to offer crime prevention and Superintendent crime prevention and personal personal safety advice. safety advice.
Outcome Required Improved awareness and response to Elder Abuse.
Crime Prevention Officer will give Each presentations at Neighbourhood Watch / Superintendent Community Alert meetings, Old Folks Clubs and Senior Citizens Groups.
National Initiative 2.4
Bogus Caller Cards will be distributed to older people through the above initiatives.
Crime Prevention Officer
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Continue to develop and distribute Community Gardaí and Traffic Corps members will give Road Safety Road Safety advice. presentations at Neighbourhood Watch / Community Alert meetings, Old Folks Clubs and Senior Citizens Groups.
Chief Superintendent Each Superintendent
Outcome Required Improved awareness of Road Safety issue.
National Initiative 2.5
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Continue to make young people more aware of the fear that they can cause to older people through noisy group behaviour.
Presentations will be delivered via the Garda Schools Programme.
Chief Superintendent
Community GardaĂ will deliver awareness talks at Youth Clubs and Garda Diversion Projects.
Each Superintendent
Outcome Required Improved understanding of the needs of older people.
Young people will be encouraged to share space with older people.
National Initiative 2.6
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Continuous analysis, identification, profiling and targeting of criminals suspected of committing crime against older people.
Suspects will be identified and targeted. Chief Superintendent Ongoing targeted operations will be deployed under Operation Anvil.
Process Owner
Each Superintendent Criminal Intelligence Officer
Outcome Required Targeted responses appropriate to requirements.
National Initiative 2.7
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Crime trends and patterns will be analysed Chief Continuous analysis of crimes Superintendent committed against older people to at Divisional and District Management Meetings. identify trends and patterns.
Outcome Required Targeted responses appropriate to requirements.
The fear of crime amongst older people will Each be addressed through targeted high Superintendent visibility patrolling.
National Initiative 2.8
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
In line with the National Elder Abuse Policy, develop and implement a strategy on Elder Abuse in consultation with other statutory and non-statutory agencies.
The Divisional Strategy will continue to be developed in line with the National Strategy.
Chief Superintendent
National Initiative 2.9
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Each Superintendent
Process Owner
Crime Prevention Officer will liaise with the Chief Superintendent
Continue to engage with planning planning authorities to promote crime prevention through environmental design. authorities to promote Crime Prevention through environmental design.
Crime Prevention Officer
Outcome Required Improved awareness and response to Elder Abuse.
Outcome Required Improved awareness of crime prevention advice.
Objective Three
Increase trust and confidence by lessening the fear of crime amongst older people
National Initiative 3.1 Increase awareness among Gardaí of the diverse challenges facing older people.
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
All Gardaí to be briefed and trained in this regard through the CPD programme.
Chief Superintendent
Presentations will be sourced from Age Action group.
Each Superintendent
Outcome Required Improved awareness of diversity issues.
Junior members will be rotated onto Community Policing Units for experiential learning.
National Initiative 3.2
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Develop a station / district register of older people (with consent) as a means of supporting engagement by Community Gardaí.
Gardaí will continue to compile a register of older people at District level.
Chief Superintendent
Gardaí will collaborate with relative agencies within the Louth Age Friendly County Alliance to further develop this register.
Each Superintendent
National Initiative 3.3
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Use all opportunities to promote the idea of supportive and caring neighbourhoods through new and ongoing initiatives.
Neighbourhood Watch / Community Alert schemes will be used to promote this initiative.
Chief Superintendent
Gardaí will continue working with communities to build supportive neighbourhoods, particularly during winter months.
Each Superintendent
National Initiative 3.4
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Improve quality of follow up, including victim support referrals, with older people who are victims of crime.
Community Gardaí will continue to carry Chief Superintendent out visits to elderly victims of crime, Each Superintendent offering support and advice.
Outcome Required Increased confidence and lessen feelings of fear.
Outcome Required Increased confidence and lessen feelings of fear.
Outcome Required Building of more trusting relationships.
National Initiative 3.5
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Develop/improve partnerships with statutory and non statutory agencies in producing information designed to reduce the fear of crime.
The Louth Garda Division will continue to work with Louth County Council and representatives from the older community to build on the success of the Louth Age Friendly County Alliance.
Chief Superintendent
Chief Superintendent, Louth represents an Garda Síochána on the alliance. Meetings are held every two months.
Each Superintendent
National Initiative 3.6
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Ensure that An Garda Síochána provide accurate, timely and proportionate information on crime to the media.
Weekly Garda slots on Dundalk FM and LMFM radio stations, as well as articles in local newspapers will be used to provide information on crime in a timely and proportionate manner.
Chief Superintendent Each Superintendent
Outcome Required Increased confidence and lessen feelings of fear.
Outcome Required Increased confidence and lessen feelings of fear.
Objective Four
Determining and responding to, on an ongoing basis, the needs and expectations of older people
National Initiative 4.1
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Develop mechanisms within the Public Attitude Survey to canvass the views of older people.
The Louth Age Friendly County Alliance will Chief be used to gather feedback and views from Superintendent older people.
Process Owner
The National Public Attitude Survey will be consulted to provide statistical information on older people’s views.
Each Superintendent
National Initiative 4.2
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Establish bi-annual fora with a selection of agencies that work with older people.
The Louth Garda Division will continue to work with Louth County Council and representatives from the older community to build on the success of the Louth Age Friendly County Alliance.
Chief Superintendent
Chief Superintendent, Louth represents an Garda Síochána on the alliance. Meetings are held every two months.
Each Superintendent
National Initiative 4.3
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Document needs, expectations and key issues arising from regular interaction with older people and statutory and nonstatutory agencies. Use this information to update policing plans.
Gardaí will continue to work with the Louth Chief Older People’s Forum to allow the voice of Superintendent older people inform policing operations.
National Initiative 4.4
Initiative(s) to be Implemented
Process Owner
Maintain a standard approach to recording and updating incidents involving older people.
Pulse incidents will be recorded and updated in accordance with best practice.
Chief Superintendent
Outcome Required Identification of views and opinions of older people.
Outcome Required Identification of views and opinions of service providers of older people.
Outcome Required Identification of older people most at risk.
This information will be collated and utilised Each in the formulation of Divisional and District Superintendent Policing Plans.
Incidents will continue to be reviewed by supervisors and District Officers.
Each Superintendent
Outcome Required Identification of older people most at risk.
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