A bespoke new University of Limerick programme has been designed to address a key skills need for An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).
The Postgraduate Certificate in Law Enforcement Oversight was developed by UL’s School of Law in conjunction with GSOC after it identified a need for a comprehensive and accredited training solution to support their learning and development strategy.
Commissioner Emily Logan, member of GSOC and incoming Police Ombudsman, spoke at the launch of the new course in UL this week.
“Fiosrú, as a civilian oversight body, needs to both equip and support its staff to respond to the evolving nature of policing and policing oversight in an increasingly complex operating environment.
“To achieve this, Fiosrú is investing in the continuous professional development of its staff through accredited development opportunities by partnering with experts in the field in University of Limerick.”
The launch of the programme builds on the School of Law’s prestige as a centre of excellence in criminal justice research and education and marks another milestone in the University’s strong relationship with the criminal justice sector.
Home to the Centre for Criminal Justice and Victim Studies, UL’s School of Law holds an established record for delivering outstanding, bespoke, professional training programmes for a range of Irish criminal justice agencies including An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice, and the Criminal Assets Bureau.
Through its unique position as a leader in the provision of practice-orientated legal education, the School of Law has gained unparalleled expertise in the delivery of research-led, inter-professional education.
University of Limerick Acting President, Professor Shane Kilcommins welcomed the launch of this new programme, adding that it “represents a significant advancement in our commitment to fostering continuous professional development within the realm of law enforcement oversight.”
“By collaborating closely with An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, we have crafted a curriculum that not only addresses the evolving needs of GSOC but also reinforces our dedication to excellence in legal education and research,” said Professor Kilcommins.
“Our School of Law, renowned for its expertise in criminal justice, is uniquely positioned to deliver this bespoke training solution. This initiative underscores our unwavering commitment to enhancing service delivery and supporting the community through rigorous, practice-oriented education. As we embark on this new chapter, I am confident that the knowledge and skills imparted through this programme will significantly contribute to the betterment of law enforcement practices in Ireland.”
The event also served as the induction day for the first module, Law Enforcement Oversight in Ireland, which will also be undertaken by a cohort of GSOC staff on a link in basis.
The programme is being launched at an exciting time for GSOC, with its remit anticipated to change imminently when it becomes Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman. It is expected that the new programme, or individual modules as link-ins, will be taken by all incoming staff, depending on their role.