Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Better equipment for the Gardai

124

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 1,531 ✭✭✭Fyr.Fytr


    Sweet perfect for traffic corps, have the space and the speed and handeling they need.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 417 ✭✭the locust


    Those Volvo's - i.e. the one at the college are for the RSU's only (regional supp units). They are a beast of a vehicle, purely police spec vehicles straight from volvo. I saw one beside a v6 mondeo and it made it look tiny! Massive engine!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,096 ✭✭✭ImDave


    That Volvo outside the college looks extremly cool. A few of them would be nice!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,357 ✭✭✭Eru


    the locust wrote: »
    Those Volvo's - i.e. the one at the college are for the RSU's only (regional supp units). They are a beast of a vehicle, purely police spec vehicles straight from volvo. I saw one beside a v6 mondeo and it made it look tiny! Massive engine!

    That would make sense if they are going to be carrying weapons in the boot. Certainly seems to have bigger and easier to access boot space.

    Surprised they arent buying secoond hand MET gunships! :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 436 ✭✭Ultravid




  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 1,531 ✭✭✭Fyr.Fytr


    That would make sense if they are going to be carrying weapons in the boot. Certainly seems to have bigger and easier to access boot space.

    Surprised they arent buying secoond hand MET gunships! :D

    STOP THE PRESS!!!

    AGS?? Common Sense???


    I need to lie down


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,013 ✭✭✭yayamark


    the locust wrote: »
    Those Volvo's - i.e. the one at the college are for the RSU's only (regional supp units). They are a beast of a vehicle, purely police spec vehicles straight from volvo. I saw one beside a v6 mondeo and it made it look tiny! Massive engine!


    Correct.

    The state have spent 2million on 30 Volvo XC70's. These are comletely Police speck. The RSU will be driving the 3.0diesel tiptronic version. This will be the first time in the history of the Gardai that we will be driving domething that is complete Police spec made in Sweden for police. The one in the GC is for demonstration purposes only, not police speck.

    About time i say.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,459 ✭✭✭FGR


    yayamark wrote: »
    This will be the first time in the history of the Gardai that we will be driving domething that is complete Police spec made in Sweden for police. The one in the GC is for demonstration purposes only, not police speck.

    About time i say.

    The sooner they make this common practice the better. Uniformity and a common ground of safety should be the utmost for policing in Ireland.

    At least all drivers would be aware of how every car would react/function as they would all be Volvos/Mondeos etc.


  • Registered Users Posts: 647 ✭✭✭opti76


    al this talk of common sense and doing things right has got to stop ....i cant take it


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,468 ✭✭✭ojewriej


    yayamark wrote: »
    The one in the GC is for demonstration purposes only, not police speck.

    That's what I was thinking. It didn't really have anything unusual inside, apart form light&noise controls.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    i thought there was talk of the skoda octavia being made a standard car for the gardai, the psni have some?


  • Registered Users Posts: 373 ✭✭roadruner


    Should be BMW M3's & M5's


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,160 ✭✭✭TheNog


    Ultravid wrote: »

    Certainly is interesting.

    One thing I saw is the extra wing mirror for the pbserver. Should have them installed on all cars with extra inside mirror.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    roadruner wrote: »
    Should be BMW M3's & M5's

    unlikely


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    why dont garda cars have some sort of bullbars fitted like american ones?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,057 ✭✭✭civdef


    To what end, are bulls roaming the public highways causing a particular risk to squad cars?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    civdef wrote: »
    To what end, are bulls roaming the public highways causing a particular risk to squad cars?

    i was thinking more cars being chased rather then a bull. i didnt know bullbars were specifically made for impact with bulls?:rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18 tintin


    TheNog wrote: »
    Certainly is interesting.

    One thing I saw is the extra wing mirror for the pbserver. Should have them installed on all cars with extra inside mirror.

    Ever notice on road wars the extra rear view mirror for the observer next to the drivers internal mirror?? handy little gimick and for what extra cost?! Wasnt there an issue recently though that the new automatic reg. plate reader wouldnt fit in the boot of the volvo s40???


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    tintin wrote: »
    Ever notice on road wars the extra rear view mirror for the observer next to the drivers internal mirror?? handy little gimick and for what extra cost?! Wasnt there an issue recently though that the new automatic reg. plate reader wouldnt fit in the boot of the volvo s40???

    ya it would be cheap alright.there is an issue in germany at the moment about the legality of the anpr, hope it doesnt spread here


  • Registered Users Posts: 373 ✭✭roadruner


    shakin wrote: »
    unlikely

    Pity

    BMW M5's work for the germans
    And BMW 3's & 5's do the job for the london coppers.
    Doubt the irish budget would stretch so far :)

    Way more taxpayers money should be pumped into protecting us! God knows we pay enough


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭cushtac


    shakin wrote: »
    ya it would be cheap alright.there is an issue in germany at the moment about the legality of the anpr, hope it doesnt spread here

    Germany doesn't work off the Common Law system, so it's doubtful if any challenge there would affect it's use here.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭cushtac


    shakin wrote: »
    i was thinking more cars being chased rather then a bull. i didnt know bullbars were specifically made for impact with bulls?:rolleyes:

    Garda don't go ramming other cars.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    cushtac wrote: »
    Garda don't go ramming other cars.

    no but wouldnt it defend the car in a pursuit a bit better?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    roadruner wrote: »
    Pity

    BMW M5's work for the germans
    And BMW 3's & 5's do the job for the london coppers.
    Doubt the irish budget would stretch so far :)

    Way more taxpayers money should be pumped into protecting us! God knows we pay enough

    ya but its not all bmws in london they have their share of 1.4 cars id imagine, you see a lot of astra hatchbacks on road wars(not necessarily london i know)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,081 ✭✭✭Musashi


    Aye i know. I found a company here in Ireland, www.caulfield.ie , that sell the authentic maglite led replacement unit. Ordered it last week. Should probably ring them and see where the hell it is.
    TheNog is offline Report Post Reply With Quote



    As far as I know, the Maglite LED unit has poor heatsinking, means the light will dim as it heats up and eventually quit altogether. There are better drop in LEDs for Maglites though, battery life extends x Six and less breakage as there is no filament to go if dropped or struck. You can go all out and instal an aspheric lens for throw with a super bright bulb for Lumen output.

    http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2559

    http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3372

    http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=169749

    Surefire now do LED lamps as well, but if I were a Garda I'd be looking at Fenix! I've a semi custom Nuwai QIII that throws 120 lumens for half an hour on a CR123a battery, no good for use every night! Fenix have LED light using AA batteries that can go from 8 lumen for general lighting to 120 Lumen Turbo modes, and a lot cheaper to run than custom lamps!

    http://www.candlepowerforums.com/

    http://www.fenix-store.com/

    https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_71&products_id=195


    That's 2xAA giving Two modes of output, selected by turning the bezel:

    General Mode: 9 lumens (55hrs) -> 40 lumens (10.5hrs) -> 80 lumens (4hrs) -> SOS

    Turbo Mode: 135 lumens (2.4hrs) -> Strobe

    Of course I have lights by Mag, Inova, Nuwai, and some custom jobbies, but for general use a Mini-Mag with LED or a C/D cell Mag with LED is all the light you could ask for! Fenix would be Gucci kit, but imo worth it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 436 ✭✭Ultravid


    Musashi wrote: »
    As far as I know, the Maglite LED unit has poor heatsinking, means the light will dim as it heats up and eventually quit altogether.

    Are you sure about that? I'm not, I have a 6-cell Mag converted with a Mag-Led module and it works just fine. Though by the rest of your posts, I'm assuming you'd meant Mag AA/AAA bulbs, which blacken out in no time and are, imho, rubbish. I've not had any problem with bulbs for Mag torcehs, except of course poor battery consumption.

    The best torch seems to be the surefire LED units, you can get one for about £55 I see on some internet retailers.

    BTW, I always thought the third wing mirror on the traffic cars (typically big volvo estates) was for the driver, to remove a blind spot, not for the passenger seat. Thoughts on this and this apparent blind spot?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,160 ✭✭✭TheNog


    Ultravid wrote: »
    BTW, I always thought the third wing mirror on the traffic cars (typically big volvo estates) was for the driver, to remove a blind spot, not for the passenger seat. Thoughts on this and this apparent blind spot?

    I always presumed it was for the observer but could be wrong. Would be a handy thing to have nonetheless.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 436 ✭✭Ultravid


    TheNog wrote: »
    I always presumed it was for the observer but could be wrong. Would be a handy thing to have nonetheless.
    My guess is it's useful for overtaking and pulling in again quickly.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,357 ✭✭✭Eru


    anyone that drives a patrol car is taking a needless risk with their careers and thats a fact!

    Cars not suitable for prisoners, no additional protection against collisions and no protection in law concerning lights, sirens and responding to an emergency!


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,081 ✭✭✭Musashi


    Are you sure about that? I'm not, I have a 6-cell Mag converted with a Mag-Led module and it works just fine. Though by the rest of your posts, I'm assuming you'd meant Mag AA/AAA bulbs, which blacken out in no time and are, imho, rubbish.

    Not sure but going by what the flashaholics (Jamies) on CandlePowerForums tell me the actual Mag Instruements LED drop in conversion is a poor unit. If you have one take a look at it. There is no contact with the torch body, meaning heat can't drain away so the LED (Despite running cooler than incan. bulbs) gets hot and dies off over time. Drop in LED Units from other makers include heatsinking to a degree and last longer as well as producing more usable light. CPF has all the graphs to show this including heat over time type studies. I have fallen asleep with my mini mag left on, Terralux LED still on when I woke, but it had melted Mags' plastic reflector.


    The larger Maglites with a Terralux LED can be fitted with custom metal reflectors, smooth (throw) or "Orange Peel" (density, no more holes or dark spots in the beam). As I said, using an Aspherical lens will give throw into hundreds of metres, especially if combined with a ROP (Roar Of the Pelican) lamp assembly. For ease of use and zero work, a nice Fenix will fill most uses for belt kit. Drop an ARC or ORB RAW in the pocket and you are set for life!

    I usually carry a Surefire Incan. E2D or semi custom Nuwai QIII with a Cree emitter and UCL (Ultra Clear Lens), but my Inova or Mini Mag won't leave me down either way.

    LED is the way ahead, more life, sucks the guts out of batteries and Bright!

    At the moment, unless we are talking weapon lights (Gladius or Surefire) then Fenix and Terralux are the way to go.

    I agree that the Mag Incan. bulbs are fragile and expensive rubbish, but these drop ins have resurrected a few lights I thought were past it!

    amsolmod.jpg for the single AAA lights, keyring stuff!

    tltle5k2.jpg for the minimag, I have three and they are good!

    tltle6ex.jpg for the larger C/D cell lights, mini spotlights but you need new lenses!

    FLLBF521mm.jpg Ultra clear lens, 90%+ light transmission and no melting!

    fllmmucl.jpg Same Borofloat lens for a MiniMag, must get several!

    mlmmreflect.jpg Minimag reflector, if your building a light for work you may as well go all out!

    I hope this has helped dome Garda out there, the LED Lenser is a decent light, but as always there's a lot better out there for small money. Mate of mine is up in Templemore, guess what I'm getting him a present of ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭cushtac


    shakin wrote: »
    no but wouldnt it defend the car in a pursuit a bit better?

    How? Bull bars only protect the front of the vehicle, and at the same time are extremely dangerous for pedestrians. There's other ways of making a car safe without bolting big bits of metal onto the outside.


  • Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭bryanmurr


    anyone that drives a patrol car is taking a needless risk with their careers and thats a fact!

    Cars not suitable for prisoners, no additional protection against collisions and no protection in law concerning lights, sirens and responding to an emergency!

    Try go out on some of the bikes we have then! :eek:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 162 ✭✭Satan Polaroid


    Musashi wrote: »
    I hope this has helped dome Garda out there, the LED Lenser is a decent light, but as always there's a lot better out there for small money. Mate of mine is up in Templemore, guess what I'm getting him a present of ;)

    What? Which should I buy? :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    cushtac wrote: »
    How? Bull bars only protect the front of the vehicle, and at the same time are extremely dangerous for pedestrians. There's other ways of making a car safe without bolting big bits of metal onto the outside.

    sorry rather than bullbars i meant-
    Push Bumper (aka Nudge Bars) - Fitted to the chassis of the car and located to augment the front bumper, to allow the car to be used as a battering ram, or to push other vehicles off the road.

    or is this not garda practice?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,081 ✭✭✭Musashi


    https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_71&products_id=195

    If you've got a Maglite already, the terralux LED is a good upgrade to get. Otherwise I'd be going for the Fenix with it's cheap batteries and options. You can use it to do paperwork without blinding yourself, or turn it up to check back gardens and alleyways.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,676 ✭✭✭Gavin


    That version of the l2d is a bit dated. You might want to go for the Q5 model instead.
    https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_65&products_id=362


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,081 ✭✭✭Musashi


    Ideally I'd like that same build quality and switching option using the Rebel LED emitters, or a HID unit at that size and price point :) For the price, any of the Fenix 2AA are good choices. If you prefer a pocket carryable one, any of the Fenix single AA are good, as are the ORB RAW and various of the Inova range.

    I gewt great use from upgraded mini mags, as they are so cheap to run. Whatever ye do, don't buy your CR123 batteries here, unless made of cash. 7dayshop.com do great prices on batteries, including rechargeables. Most lights don't work well with rechargeable batteries, do check if your light will be ok. Exploding CR123s are dirty yokes, very toxic!

    For some hand held rechargeable spotlights built on Maglite chassis see http://www.blackbearflashlights.com/

    He has a useful review of various lights (against his own) here. http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33286


    They are pricey, but given that you will not buy batteries again it may be a worthwhile investment? Depends on how much use you will get from a torch, but it is another option. These things go over 1000 lumens, that's a lot of light! :eek:

    The only thing I've seen that could be more fun are HID lights (High Intensity Discharge, like a camera flash, but stays on) or a hand held arc lamp which is hot enough to cook a dog!

    http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=98480&in_page_id=34


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    was passing fitzgibbon st garda station yesterday when i saw 2 unmarked cars they had, a toyota corolla and a ford fiesta. then i go home and watch the news about the garda ombudsman and it shows them with top of the range volvo estates and toyota landcruisers!

    mad!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,468 ✭✭✭ojewriej


    shakin wrote: »
    , a toyota corolla and a ford fiesta. then i go home and watch the news about the garda ombudsman and it shows them with top of the range volvo estates and toyota landcruisers!
    mad!

    Ford fiesta? Really?

    And what about ombudsman getting an Army Helicopter to get to the scene of the accident involving an off - duty Garda. That was a bit mad. And over the top one might say.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,084 ✭✭✭eroo


    Read in the local pages yesterday that the first RSU pilot scheme startsin in Limerick....in July!Good news,it should free up the ERU!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    ojewriej wrote: »
    Ford fiesta? Really?

    And what about ombudsman getting an Army Helicopter to get to the scene of the accident involving an off - duty Garda. That was a bit mad. And over the top one might say.

    ya really

    i didnt hear about the helicopter, thats a disgrace, that must have costb a couple of thousand and for what?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    eroo wrote: »
    Read in the local pages yesterday that the first RSU pilot scheme startsin in Limerick....in July!Good news,it should free up the ERU!

    will it? are they going to be performing srmed patrols or are they just going to be a reaction force?
    as i understand it now eru have a proactive role in limerick whilst the rsu will be reactive???


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,084 ✭✭✭eroo


    shakin wrote: »
    will it? are they going to be performing srmed patrols or are they just going to be a reaction force?
    as i understand it now eru have a proactive role in limerick whilst the rsu will be reactive???

    No,they will be mounting armed patrols just like ERU.AFAIK,the ERU will be withdrawn once the RSU gets on its feet.RSU's will be much more visible than ERU,I mean check the new cars there supposedly using with unmarked 4x4's!

    It is about time though!The RSU will be like having a permanent ERU presence so that can't be bad,and it will be made up of,''by and large'',local Gardai.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭shakin


    eroo wrote: »
    No,they will be mounting armed patrols just like ERU.AFAIK,the ERU will be withdrawn once the RSU gets on its feet.RSU's will be much more visible than ERU,I mean check the new cars there supposedly using with unmarked 4x4's!

    It is about time though!The RSU will be like having a permanent ERU presence so that can't be bad,and it will be made up of,''by and large'',local Gardai.
    but i thought they were regular members on standby? any info about their equipment?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,084 ✭✭✭eroo


    shakin wrote: »
    but i thought they were regular members on standby? any info about their equipment?

    Well I can't be 100% sure but I think they will be in marked cars,el a little bit different*,and will have weapons on them like ARV's in UK i.e.sidearms in holsters and sub-machinegun(s) in safe(s)*.Their tactical equipment will be back at station*,at least that is what AGSI were complaining about?

    Equipment will be much the same as ERU AFAIK.*


    *All of this was taken from info by local media over recent months,so I could be horribly,horribly mistaken!:o


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,160 ✭✭✭TheNog


    ojewriej wrote: »
    Ford fiesta? Really?

    And what about ombudsman getting an Army Helicopter to get to the scene of the accident involving an off - duty Garda. That was a bit mad. And over the top one might say.
    shakin wrote: »
    ya really

    i didnt hear about the helicopter, thats a disgrace, that must have costb a couple of thousand and for what?

    I would imagine that the nearest available GSOC investigator was probably a good distance away from the crash scene but would need to get there quickly. It did occur on probably Ireland's busiest motorway which would have been shut down (south-bound anyway) until the scene investigation was complete.

    I'm sure the decision to fly in the investigator would have come from the very top and had a very good reason too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,357 ✭✭✭Eru


    TheNog wrote: »
    I'm sure the decision to fly in the investigator would have come from the very top and had a very good reason too.

    Just like storming into an inquest at the end of the evidence and demanding it cease over a complaint made AFTER the legal time limit :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,013 ✭✭✭yayamark


    eroo wrote: »
    Well I can't be 100% sure but I think they will be in marked cars,el a little bit different*,and will have weapons on them like ARV's in UK i.e.sidearms in holsters and sub-machinegun(s) in safe(s)*.Their tactical equipment will be back at station*,at least that is what AGSI were complaining about?

    Equipment will be much the same as ERU AFAIK.*


    *All of this was taken from info by local media over recent months,so I could be horribly,horribly mistaken!:o


    Sounds good,there supposed to be trained on a same level to the ERU and given same equipment.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,155 ✭✭✭metman


    eroo wrote: »
    No,they will be mounting armed patrols just like ERU.AFAIK,the ERU will be withdrawn once the RSU gets on its feet.RSU's will be much more visible than ERU,I mean check the new cars there supposedly using with unmarked 4x4's!

    It is about time though!The RSU will be like having a permanent ERU presence so that can't be bad,and it will be made up of,''by and large'',local Gardai.

    From what I've heard the RSUs will not be performing the role of a 'permanent ERU' in places like Limerick. Instead it will be a mobile unit with an armed capability to turn out to jobs where firearms are required. They will not be routinely armed, for obvious reasons, and will return to base to change into tactical uniform and arm. As with the UK's early ARVs, who initially stored all their weapons in the gunship's safe and had to seek permission to arm, I imagine the RSU will evolve in a similar fashion so that patrols in urban areas wind up as routinely armed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭cushtac


    metman wrote: »
    . They will not be routinely armed, for obvious reasons, and will return to base to change into tactical uniform and arm.

    The weapons & uniform will be carried in the vehicles, there'll be no need to return to the station.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement