Good afternoon Chairman, Deputies and Senators. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for inviting the Garda Inspectorate here today. Firstly, I would like to introduce the Inspectorate team. I am Robert K Olson Chief Inspector of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and I was appointed to this position in June, 2012 having previously served as a Deputy Chief Inspector on the establishment of the Inspectorate in 2006 and held Chief of Police/Commissioner positions in several large US cities, retiring from active policing after 38 years service in 2004. Today I am joined by our two Deputy Chief Inspectors Mark Toland and Debra Kirby. Deputy Chief Inspector Toland, who was the lead on this Crime Investigation inspection, joined the Inspectorate in June, 2012 having retired at the rank of Chief Superintendent from the London Metropolitan Police Service after 30 years of service. He was awarded the Queen’s Medal for Distinguished Police Services in 2010.
