Garda Crime and Security Branch

{{Short description|Major unit of the Irish police and security force}}

{{Infobox government agency

|agency_name = Garda Crime and Security Branch

|nativename = {{langx|ga|Bhrainse Coireachta agus Slándála}}

|headquarters = Phoenix Park, Dublin (D8){{Coord|53|21|13.4|N|6|17|54.5|W|display=inline}}

|formed =

|picture = File:Badge of An Garda Síochána.svg

|picture_width =

|picture_caption =

|preceding1 = C3

|preceding2 =

|jurisdiction = Ireland

|employees = Undisclosed

|budget = Undisclosed (part of Garda Síochána budget, €1.34 billion in 2014)

|minister1_name = Helen McEntee, TD

|minister1_pfo = Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

|chief1_name = Drew Harris

|chief1_position = Garda Commissioner

|chief2_name = Michael McElgunn

|chief2_position = Assistant Commissioner of Crime and Security

|parent_agency = 25px Garda Síochána

|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20100823032408/http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=40&Lang=1 Official website]

}}

The Crime and Security Branch (CSB) ({{langx|ga|Brainse Coireachta agus Slándála}}) – previously known as C3 – is responsible for the administration of national security, counter terrorism and serious crime investigations within the Garda Síochána, the national police force of Ireland.{{cite news|title=FBI's man puts away Michael McKevitt |url=http://irishfreedomcommittee.net/NEWS/rupert/phoenix_august292003.htm |access-date=30 April 2014 |newspaper=Phoenix Magazine |date=11 September 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212913/http://irishfreedomcommittee.net/NEWS/rupert/phoenix_august292003.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 }} The section oversees intelligence relating to subversive, paramilitary and terrorism matters, conducts counter-intelligence, liaises with foreign law enforcement agencies, handles confidential informants, administers VIP and witness protection, monitors potential corrupt Garda officers and provides information on threats to the state to the Garda Commissioner and Government of Ireland.{{cite web|last=Mulqueen|first=Michael|title=United We Stand? EU Counter-Terrorism Initiatives|url=http://citation.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/0/7/1/1/8/pages71181/p71181-3.php|work=23 February 2005|publisher=European Institute, University College Dublin (UCD)|access-date=30 April 2014|archive-date=2 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302111009/http://citation.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/0/7/1/1/8/pages71181/p71181-3.php|url-status=live}}

The Crime & Security Branch comprises a number of Garda units, which it collects information from and issues directives to. The Garda CSB is based at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. It is headed by the Assistant commissioner in charge of Crime and Security, and is staffed mainly by senior officers and intelligence analysts.{{cite web|title=Ireland, Intelligence and Security|url=http://www.faqs.org/espionage/Int-Ke/Ireland-Intelligence-and-Security.html|work=2014|publisher=Espionage Information FAQs|access-date=30 April 2014|archive-date=30 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430060348/http://www.faqs.org/espionage/Int-Ke/Ireland-Intelligence-and-Security.html|url-status=live}} The branch is responsible for up to 500 Garda officers in other units, who are mainly detectives with investigative duties.{{cite news|last=Cusack|first=Jim|title=How Tango Squad evolved from watching a gangster to the Garda 'Big Brother'|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/how-tango-squad-evolved-from-watching-a-gangster-to-the-garda-big-brother-30180665.html|access-date=30 April 2014|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=13 April 2014|archive-date=13 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413230105/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/how-tango-squad-evolved-from-watching-a-gangster-to-the-garda-big-brother-30180665.html|url-status=live}} CSB maintain the National Intelligence Database, which collates intelligence received from all its sources, and is linked to that of G2.{{cite book|last1=Mulqueen|first1=Michael|title=Re-evaluating Irish national security policy : affordable threats?|date=2009|publisher=Manchester University Press|location=Manchester|isbn=978-0-7190-8027-2}}

Organisational structure

Security and Intelligence Section (S&I)
National Surveillance Unit (NSU)
Liaison and Protection Section
Crime Policy and Administration Section
Special Detective Unit (SDU)
Emergency Response Unit (ERU)
Counter-Terrorism International (CTI){{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Paul|title=Ireland being used as 'transit hub for Jihadis' heading for Iraq and Syria|url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/charlie-hebdo-attacks/ireland-being-used-as-transit-hub-for-jihadis-heading-for-iraq-and-syria-30897836.html|access-date=13 January 2015|publisher=Irish Independent|date=11 January 2015|archive-date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112025614/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/charlie-hebdo-attacks/ireland-being-used-as-transit-hub-for-jihadis-heading-for-iraq-and-syria-30897836.html|url-status=live}}
Hostage Negotiation Section (HNS)
Witness Protection Unit
Analysis Service
Bomb Data Centre{{cite web|title=EU Terrorism Situation & Trend Report (Te-Sat) (Europol)|url=https://www.europol.europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications/europol_te-sat2013_lr_0.pdf|work=25 April 2013|publisher=Europol|access-date=30 April 2014|archive-date=22 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422212237/https://www.europol.europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications/europol_te-sat2013_lr_0.pdf|url-status=live}}

Responsibilities

=Security & Intelligence=

The role of this section is to identify and analyse the threat to the state from terrorists, citizens challenging authority and organised crime gangs.{{cite news|last1=Mooney|first1=John|title=Security lapses by garda agents|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/News/article1032602.ece|access-date=3 June 2014|publisher=The Sunday Times|date=6 May 2012|archive-date=7 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607001731/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/News/article1032602.ece|url-status=dead}} The section is accordingly divided into two sub-sections dealing with intelligence in relation to both terrorism and organised crime.{{cite web|title=The Crime & Security Branch|url=http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=40|work=2014|publisher=Garda Síochána|access-date=30 April 2014|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222204004/http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=40|url-status=live}} The section supports operational units by providing intelligence leads relative to both areas. Security & Intelligence (S&I) is the central point of contact for the Garda Síochána with all external agencies – both law enforcement and security/intelligence – with regard to international co-operation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.{{cite news|last=O'Keeffe|first=Cormac|title=Surveillance in the spotlight|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2009/0420/world/surveillance-in-the-spotlight-89703.html|access-date=30 April 2014|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=20 April 2009|archive-date=29 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429205900/http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2009/0420/world/surveillance-in-the-spotlight-89703.html|url-status=live}}

=Liaison & Protection=

This section is responsible for the protective security of the state and its institutions. The section also has a strong liaison function, housing both the Interpol National Central Bureau and the Europol National Unit. These are the central points of contact for secure communications between the Garda Síochána and all external agencies. Liaison & Protection also encompasses the Schengen Information System (SIS) of which Ireland is a member. A number of Garda Liaison Officers (GLO) attached to Liaison & Protection are posted abroad, including in foreign Irish embassies. The section coordinates the work of a number of European Union (EU) Council Working groups attended by Garda representatives. It also has an administrative role in relation to the Witness Security Programme.{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Noel|title=Witness protection: history and reality|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/icrime/witness-protection-history-and-reality-188453.html|access-date=30 April 2014|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=27 March 2012|archive-date=21 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121174429/https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/icrime/witness-protection-history-and-reality-188453.html|url-status=live}}

=Crime Policy & Administration=

This section is responsible for:

Implementation of strategic policy
Mutual Assistance and Extradition in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
Liaising with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) regarding crime statistics
Providing legal advice to the Garda Commissioner and the organisation in general
Coordinating the issuing and renewal of firearms licenses
Parole Board Applications
The Hague Convention regarding separated couples' issues
Betting Act applications from non-residents

The Missing Persons Bureau is part of Crime, Policy & Administration.{{cite web|title=Garda Missing Persons Bureau |url=http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=85 |publisher=www.garda.ie |access-date=30 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430063628/http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=85 |archive-date=30 April 2014 |df=dmy }}

=Special Detective Unit=

The Special Detective Unit (SDU) is responsible for the investigation of threats to state security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to this on both national and international fronts. The SDU also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash-in-transit movements and armed response.{{cite web|title=Crime Policy & Administration and the Special Detective Unit |url=http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=44&Lang=1 |publisher=An Garda Síochána |access-date=30 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430065510/http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=44&Lang=1 |archive-date=30 April 2014 |df=dmy }} The SDU is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme. The highly trained and equipped specialist armed intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), is also part of the SDU.

=Analysis Service=

The Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) is responsible for providing analytical support to the Garda organisation. GSAS Management and Analyst staff provide valuable support at both a Regional, and National level, in relation to both operational and strategic policing initiatives. The Research Unit, based in the Garda College, also sit alongside the GSAS. The Research Unit conduct internal and external surveys and have been involved in the evaluation of policing initiatives in order to identify effective practice.