Police Ombudsman Emily Logan meets the Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership

Press release: 3 November 2026

Police Ombudsman Emily Logan was pleased to meet the Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) in the city’s council building on Monday evening, 2 November 2026.

Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman, is Ireland’s independent statutory body for police oversight. It independently investigates complaints from members of the public about gardaí, and examines serious incidents referred by the Garda Commissioner.

The Police Ombudsman was invited to give a presentation on the work of her office at a public meeting of the 30 members of the partnership on Monday 2 November in Waterford County Council.

The Police Ombudsman was accompanied by Deputy Police Ombudsman Brian Doherty. They were welcomed by the partnership’s chairperson, Mr Sean Aylward.

The Police Ombudsman outlined the role and function of Fiosrú, including how it investigates complaints and the important role of a new complaints resolution channel in ensuring that complainants feel they have been listened to by gardaí.

The Police Ombudsman, Emily Logan, said:

 “I very much welcomed the opportunity to learn first-hand about issues facing community safety in Waterford city and county and the priorities of the Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership. I commend the considerable work undertaken by the Waterford partnership in publishing its Community Safety Plan 2023 – 2028 and establishing new structures. It is heartening the see collaboration at community level to identify and tackle local community safety issues.”

The Police Ombudsman noted that Waterford LCSP was one of the first piloted partnerships among a total of 36 set up under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. She added:

“It is a priority of Fiosrú to raise awareness of our work among the voluntary and community sector, local councillors and community members. Through building confidence in our independent complaints handling and investigations, we can help maintain trust in policing.”

Fiosrú was established on 2 April 2025 with the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024. It replaced the former Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).