Introducing Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman

• Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman is established today 2 April 2025.
• Fiosrú is an independent body with statutory objectives and aims to enhance the oversight and accountability of policing in Ireland.

Today (Wednesday 2 April 2025) Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman opens its doors as the new Policing Oversight agency/body, replacing the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). This significant development aims to enhance the oversight and accountability of policing in Ireland. 

Fiosrú will assume the statutory responsibility of receiving complaints from members of the public concerning members of garda personnel, a role previously undertaken by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

The new legislation, the Policing Security and Community Safety (PSCS) Act, 2024, changes the current governance model from a three-person Commission to a single Police Ombudsman. The Police Ombudsman will be supported by a Deputy Ombudsman and Chief Executive.

The legislation provides for the following statutory objectives of the Police Ombudsman include:

1. to promote public confidence in the processes for resolving complaints made by members of the public and in investigations.
2. to improve public understanding of the role and functions of the Police Ombudsman.
3. to ensure that her functions are performed in a timely, efficient and effective manner and in accordance with fair procedures.

Speaking today, Police Ombudsman Emily Logan said:

“This transition to Fiosrú represents a new era in policing oversight. Fiosrú, the Police Ombudsman, like other Ombudsman institutions, is a civilian oversight body for policing. Ombudsman Institutions have an important role to play in strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

“Fiosrú is very fortunate to learn from the experience of GSOC’s work over the past 17 years and benefit from the expertise of its dedicated staff. This will help Fiosrú to build and enhance its future ability to respond to the evolving nature and complexity of complaints and investigations, and to work to provide more efficient, effective and timely outcomes for the public and Gardaí.”

About Fiosrú

Following commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024 on 2 April, Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman has assumed the primary role of receiving complaints from members of the public concerning garda personnel.

In addition to the change of name, the three-person Commission has been replaced by a single Police Ombudsman, supported by a Deputy Police Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer. The Police Ombudsman, subject to the provisions of the Act, will be independent in the performance of her functions, reporting to the Oireachtas. Fiosrú has its own Vote and the Chief Executive Officer is the accounting officer. She was appointed in a designated capacity on 9 September 2024 following an open recruitment competition. The recruitment competition for the Deputy Police Ombudsman is currently underway.

The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill Act, 2024, and its explanatory memorandum, can be read on the Oireachtas website at: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2023/3/