The rationale for the creation of this module is to ensure that relevant members of An Garda Síochána possess the knowledge and skills needed to deliver a professional service to the organisation and by extension the State. In this regard the module will ensure that the participants acquire an intrinsic understanding of their core functions, roles and duties in respect of covert intelligence management and best practice. In addition, the module will explore emerging jurisprudence from the Court of Justice of the European Union in the area of Human rights specifically Article 2 ECHR (Right to Life), Article 6 (Right to a Fair Trial) and Article 8 (Right to Privacy and Family Life). Specifically, the aims of the module are to provide An Garda Siochana with a thorough understanding in the following areas; critical thinking and risk management, use of the Garda Decision Making Model, responding to threats to life operations, critical firearms incidents, collaboration with forensic science and national support services, controlling and handling covert human intelligence sources, advanced surveillance techniques, future threats/encrypted platforms, digital forensics, fusion of intelligence, disclosure of sensitive intelligence in investigations, dissemination and report writing techniques.

The syllabus will comprise of the following content: Police obligations, negligence and risk management; Using the Garda Decision making model; Threats to life assessing the Osman Ruling on police obligations under Article 2 ECHR; Critical Firearms Incidents including managing risks and lessons learned (Barr Tribunal, Grainger Inquiry, The MacLochlainn Commission of Investigation); Identification and selection of appropriate covert action using ladder of escalation principles; Understanding forensic evidence opportunities and risks in covert investigations; Covert Human Intelligence Sources code of practice, recruitment and impact of Morris Tribunal; Advanced surveillance techniques and their suitability; Horizon scanning and lessons learned from encrypted communication platform breaches by LEA; Disclosure obligations in court proceedings and impact of rules of evidence; Dissemination and report writing adhering to need to know v dare to share, security of information practices.

On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to: • Critically evaluate the key principles of intelligence management and international best practice. • Distinguish between the roles and functions of key stakeholders in intelligence-led operations. • Describe the key components of the Garda Decision Making Model • Identify the laws of evidence relating to forensic science evidence and telecommunication evidence. • Devise appropriate covert intelligence collection strategies.

On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to: • Value the importance of adopting a policing response to intelligence gathering that is in line with international standards. • Reflect broadly on the impact of intelligence in policing and security operations in Ireland.

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An Garda Síochána is unique, apart from Denmark, in that it provides both a policing and state security function. Section 7 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 states that the function of An Garda Síochána is police and state security with the objective of: 'protecting life and property, vindicating the human rights of each individual, protecting the security of the State, preventing crime, bringing criminals to justice, including by detecting and investigating crime.' The policing and security function of An Garda Síochána was given a clearer definition by an amendment in 2015 to the Garda Síochána Act. In this respect, the Garda National Crime and Security Service (GNCSIS) is unique in An Garda Síochána, as it is the region that supports both this policing and state security function. A training development working group has been established by Assistant Commissioner Orla McPartlin, Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service under the auspices of recommendations by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. This working group through its work has identified gaps in the training needs of the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service. These gaps were identified at both an organisational and individual level. One clear gap identified was that no structured training or education program exists to train and educate staff attached to GNCSIS on the function and extent of the services that the security and intelligence service delivers in and to the State. It is the view of the working group that a structured educational program would greatly enhance individual staff member's knowledge of the work of GNCSIS and by extension improve the quality of service delivered by the GNCSIS to its customers. The roll out of such a program would then act as an important catalyst towards the delivery of high quality continuous professional development training. The module will be delivered online over a twelve-week period under the guidance of the University of Limerick with assistance, where appropriate, by the input of content experts within An Garda Síochána. It will aim to engage students in proactive and creative learning both independently and as part of a collective online forum. It aims to enable students to broaden their understanding of the discipline and articulate their understanding through written and digital communication. To this end the module's co-curricular, blended delivery model promises to yield graduates who are at once knowledgable about the law and practice of intelligence management, proactive in following best international practice, creative in contributing to garda practice, responsible, collaborative and articulate. Methods of teaching will include video recording of lectures, provision of lecture notes and online reading materials and assessment.