Garda Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

An Garda Síochána set out its targets in the fight against crime in its Garda Síochána  Strategy Statement 2010 - 2012 and Annual Policing Plan for 2010. These targets are underpinned by the force's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy, and implementation of a variety of works to support these targets is ongoing.  The Garda Division of the Department works closely with Garda I.T. and Telecoms and Finance divisions to ensure that the necessary resources are invested in technology in order to underpin goals identified in the Garda Annual Policing Plan.

The significant level of funding already invested in technology projects over the past number of years has enabled many other important initiatives to be progressed including:

• Completion of the nationwide rollout of the new National Digital Radio Service for An  Garda Síochána

• Delivery of new Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems

• State of the art Automated Fingerprint and Ballistics Identification Systems

• Expansion of the Garda Wide Area network to deliver Garda Information systems such as PULSE and Email/Internet access to over 420 locations nationwide.

Subject to the overall budgetary position, investment will continue in the upgrade, support and maintenance of existing information systems such as PULSE the Garda National Immigration Bureau Information System (GNIB-IS), the Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS).  Other ongoing initiatives in the area of information and communications technology either underway or being considered are:

• Extension of the Garda Computer Aided Dispatch system to urban centres  outside of the Dublin Metropolitan area.

• Provision of IT solutions to facilitate the management of major investigations such as murder enquiries and missing persons cases.

• Continued expansion of the Garda Wide area network to non-networked locations.