Garda Reserve Training

I'm in phase two at the minute which means I go to a station and get taught different aspects of the law and, to a certain degree, how to apply it. I've found it really interesting, certainly more so than what I do day to day. I'm not sure how the rest of the training will go but so far I have no regrets. Looking over the next few months the Reserve training is going to infringe on my time and my money. It has already cost me a skiing holiday and I will certainly have spent whatever stipend is given by the time it arrives. However any of these infringements have been authorised by me. I haven't been forced to give anything up except what I have done willingly. This is the sort of commitment that is given freely and I bet most of the people on this thread have done the same.

Having followed this thread since the beginning I can honestly say that I don't care how we are seen by the rest of the force. We are the ones giving freely of our time to (hopefully) benefit society. If some members cannot see the advantages of having another person beside them when they go to perform a difficult arrest then frankly I have very little respect for such short sightedness. Even if the Reserve cannot make the actual arrest the presence of another uniform is bound to help diffuse the situation. How anyone who is trained to talk people down and avoid physical confrontation can moan about that is beyond me. We merely increase the presence of the Gardai on the streets and that has to be a good thing.

As for the question of Reserve impinging on overtime, I don't see that as an issue at all. Just a handy stick to beat us with. How can we infringe on it when we basically have no powers unless a full time guard is accompanying us? Makes no sense.

Also keoghcf, you keep mentioning recruits in your "stories". They're very different to the Reserve as they may be full time trainees.

Anyway I don't see myself attesting and suddenly becoming some sort of crime fighting superhero. What I do see is me performing what is required of me, to the best of my ability, within the constraints imposed on me. I think if we all did that no members would be in a position to give out.

yep. well put, when you think back to the beginning of the thread, and realise that it has been viewed in excess of 38,000 times, it proves that the interest is there, good and bad, although I would guess more to the good.

Again I Was just wondering is it possible to do just the minimum of 4 hours a week or do they put pressure on the reserves to do more?
Also lads do you wear the uniform to and from your home and the station or do you only change into your uniform in the station? Thanks

Andy once you are attested it will be up to you to agree with your Sergeant what hours you will work. From experience they would rather that you worked more than four hours, so I tend to work an eight hour shift every two weeks rather than working four hours every week, then again your Sergeant might prefer it that you work four hours every week, at the end of the day its up to you to work it out with your Sarge. Personally I haven't had any pressure put on me to work more hours than were required, but I have been told that we may be asked to come in outside of our agreed hours for certain events. Finally you are not supposed to wear your uniform to and from your station (which is also the case for full time members), although this is not really strictly adhered to. Basically when driving to the station, I would normally wear over my Garda trousers and shirt, with a regular jacket over the shirt, and then put on the tie, stab vest, jacket etc when I get to the station.

ShellyJ, have you just intentionally identified yourself ?
You might be better off if you edit that post.

Welcome to the forum BTW.

amaxwell wrote: »

Ladies & Gents, Does anyone have a soft copy (in PDF form) of the "Garda Reserve Policy and Procedure" document? I appreciate that it should not be posted to this site but would welcome a soft copy, so if you have one please PM me.

I'm particulalry interested in understanding what insurance (life & health, loss of earings etc) we are provided as Reserve Gardai.

Thank you.

Alan.

Ask your SHO.

Mountain Man wrote: »

How many exams/physical tests are undertook during each of the different phases? Apologies if question has been asked before.

MM

Phase I

basic intro, with a question / answer session at the end of both days, there are questions to fill out, but couldnt really class it as a test as such.

Phase II

law training: there is a weekly review and test, with a final test at the end of the phase

Phase III

self defence / baton training / restraint / hand cuff techniques / radio procedure ; assessment on all of the above, and must be passed.

Phase IV

Station training, with daily/weekly assessments to complete, this includes pulse training,

This is what the original phase did, but the rest of the gang might have more for you, as I believe some of the training was tweaked etc, as various intakes went through and answered various questions on the training itself.

Most of the above is alien in the beginning, but once you get out and about and see the practical use of the training, it becomes much easier to relate to.

A reasonable standard of fitness is needed for phase III, and as I think one of the lads pointed out earlier in the thread, dont arrive with a hang-over, as the training staff will spot it a mile away, and they wont be happy bunnies!!

Have my Phase 4 starting in a couple of days.

Any hints or tips via pm would be much appreciated.

Thanks.