An Garda Siochana today announced the New Regional and Divisional Headquarters under a new Operating Model and the Wexford-Wicklow Headquarters for the Eastern Region will be located in the new Garda Station in Wexford town. The Regions will reduce from six to four and the Garda Divisions from 28 to 19.

A wide range of operational factors have been considered when deciding where the new Regional and Divisional Headquarters should be based. These factors included: population, geography, projected growth, crime trends and workload across a range of work streams.

Commissioner Drew Harris said today; “Our new Operating Model will see larger Divisions with more resources. It will deliver increased Garda visibility in communities, as well as more localised services. Resources will be strongly focused on community policing. Chief Superintendents and Superintendents will be empowered to make decisions on how policing is best delivered within their Divisions while working to a corporate framework.

“In addition, our new Operating Model will enhance the investigation of crime through the delivery of a greater range of specialised services in local areas such as the investigation of sexual crime, domestic violence, cyber–crime, and economic crime. Complex or highly technical crimes will generally be dealt with at national level,” concluded Commissioner Harris.

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, Acting Garda Commissioner Donall Ó Cualáin and Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Kevin “Boxer” Moran TD officially opened the new Wexford Garda Station last July and the historic policing event was attended by representatives from all segments of local society including community and civil society groups. Approximately 120 Garda personnel are based in the new station.

Earlier in the year Gardaí stationed at the old Garda Station at Roche’s Road, built in 1937, moved into the state-of-the art new building on the Mulgannon Road in the town. The new Wexford Garda Station was designed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) Architectural Services team led by State Architect Ciaran O’Connor.