Garda reserve 2015

coolock94 · 07-01-2015 7:51pm #1

So it's been 2 years since I first applied for the reserves, I got my interviews in September 2013 and had follow up meetings with the sgt. And inspector in March and April 2014. I checked on my br form before Christmas and I have one outstanding check left to be complete, they also told me they expect an intake early this year.
I read today however that templemore is full and the new 100 receuits that are going in at the end of the month won't have accommodation in the college. So with the college being busy for the foreseeable future I am left to wonder will they have time to train reserves in the college anytime soon. The wait is long and it feels like I will never get that call to say my forms have cleared, but now I'm thinking I might have to wait another year just to start training.
I think the reserves are a valuable asset to the force and I think more focus and resources need to go into making the reserves as successful as the special constables in the UK. I ring the reserve office once a month to check on my br form and will continue to do so until I get the all clear. Are there many of you waiting on a medical ?

blarney15 · 09-01-2015 7:18pm

Don't worry you're really not missing much!!

coolock94 · 09-01-2015 8:03pm

I just want to get started and find out for myself. I take you are a reserve ?

blarney15 · 10-01-2015 12:48am

coolock94 wrote: »

I just want to get started and find out for myself. I take you are a reserve ?

I was... resigned few months ago!

coolock94 · 10-01-2015 1:09am

I see, what was your reason ?

blarney15 · 10-01-2015 7:41am

coolock94 wrote: »

I see, what was your reason ?

Officially education, work commitments etc. Unofficially... well... only you can experience it to understand real reasons.

bluetop · 11-01-2015 6:58pm

blarney15 wrote: »

Officially education, work commitments etc. Unofficially... well... only you can experience it to understand real reasons.

Just as i have said all along .... they wont put the real reason down as they dont want the public to know, reserves are left in some stations, FT not wanting to take them out because of their lack of powers ( "NO" public order powers ), so when a person resigns they fill in the blanks and make it look as though the person left because of other reasons.

At the present time Reserve Garda as about as much useful as an empty paper bag sorry for any offence to people but all reserves need to wake up and start getting things orginised together as its the only way things are going to change.

Look at all the promises that were made become a reserve with the promise of making the full time role ..... another dead end, PO powers course commenced Oct 2013 we are now into Jan 2015 and still no change, even with the inspectorate report its all recommendations nothing more it need never be implemented like a lot of other stuff.

D Trent · 11-01-2015 10:58pm

bluetop wrote: »

Just as i have said all along .... they wont put the real reason down as they dont want the public to know, reserves are left in some stations, FT not wanting to take them out because of their lack of powers ( "NO" public order powers ), so when a person resigns they fill in the blanks and make it look as though the person left because of other reasons.

At the present time Reserve Garda as about as much useful as an empty paper bag sorry for any offence to people but all reserves need to wake up and start getting things orginised together as its the only way things are going to change.

Look at all the promises that were made become a reserve with the promise of making the full time role ..... another dead end, PO powers course commenced Oct 2013 we are now into Jan 2015 and still no change, even with the inspectorate report its all recommendations nothing more it need never be implemented like a lot of other stuff.

sorry but back this up please

RUNNER 1 · 19-01-2015 10:01pm

Iv been waiting 2 and a half years and i know well it aint guna happen anytime soon

Mc Jakester · 22-01-2015 7:47am

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Iv been waiting 2 and a half years and i know well it aint guna happen anytime soon

I took me over 2 1/2 years too, it's really down to back ground checks of all your family local stations replying back to HQ... Believe me, dust settles!! from experance.. They will tell you your local one is done!!! BUT don't get confused its the rest of the back ground checks need completing and that can takes time...
Get onto your local inspector and get him to push the last remaining stations backgrounds if any!! Your one, would be done! It's the rest that's holding it up...
Keep pushing it worked for me....
Hang in there guys... You get what you put in...

RUNNER 1 · 22-01-2015 6:17pm

iv tryed getting people to push them through doesn't work , tbh iv lost interest and it's there fault for having a ****y system . sure I herd even when u get your medical your waiting another 5/6 months waiting on a training date

carzony · 23-01-2015 12:51am

From reading the forums here the garda reserve seems to have been forgotten about. I couldnt imagine any other organisation treating VOLUNTEERS like this.

Mc Jakester · 23-01-2015 7:11am

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

iv tryed getting people to push them through doesn't work , tbh iv lost interest and it's there fault for having a ****y system . sure I herd even when u get your medical your waiting another 5/6 months waiting on a training date

Yes once your medical comes along, its again a waiting game..
It took me 1 month after medical to get a call for Templemore...
I beleive this year 2015 for the GR's, Templemore will only hold two waves of classes compared to around five most years passed.

Sure your in the mix anyway, hang in there brother!
Hopefully 2015 will bring us a bit furder to where we need to be...
I know everybody is going on about these powers etc etc...
You can still be Assisting in the arrest, doing your check points, when your detailed to a car you can be an observer,
Work at matches, most of us worked the Queen and Obama visits..etc etc.
So that aside, its still one good thing to be on your C.V. For future jobs down the line...
The system is the system I know it sucks! When you get in! It maybe for you or not!

Keep the chin up guys....

SO7378 · 23-01-2015 4:17pm

I am also in the same position as you "coolock94" although i havent got as far as you, i have alot of friends high up in my local station who said they would help me by referring me but thats for the full time not the reserve, ive rang the Appointments office and i will continue to do so to keep checking up.
i volunteer alot, i am an EMT with Civil Defence and work on an ambulance frequently. I also volunteer for other organisations which consist of dealing with the public, the Reserves though is somthing i would really like to do although it is voluntary, its just a pitty the system isnt like "the Specials" in the UK, its nice to know im not the only one out there who wants it as none of my friends or anyone i know likes the GardaÃ¬. i took the exams for the full time last year and managed to get into Band 2, but sure 30,000 or more applied amd i think i was 7,000 and somthing..

it costs around 9,000 to train a full time Garda, according to the government, the 100 they took in, well that adds up to about 900,000.. they actually have it cheap seeing as other countrys are better equipped and there uniforms, cars, training etc cost more.

D Trent · 23-01-2015 4:33pm

SO7378 wrote: »

I am also in the same position as you "coolock94" although i havent got as far as you, i have alot of friends high up in my local station who said they would help me by referring me but thats for the full time not the reserve, ive rang the Appointments office and i will continue to do so to keep checking up.
i volunteer alot, i am an EMT with Civil Defence and work on an ambulance frequently. I also volunteer for other organisations which consist of dealing with the public, the Reserves though is somthing i would really like to do although it is voluntary, its just a pitty the system isnt like "the Specials" in the UK, its nice to know im not the only one out there who wants it as none of my friends or anyone i know likes the GardaÃ¬. i took the exams for the full time last year and managed to get into Band 2, but sure 30,000 or more applied amd i think i was 7,000 and somthing..

it costs around 9,000 to train a full time Garda, according to the government, the 100 they took in, well that adds up to about 900,000.. they actually have it cheap seeing as other countrys are better equipped and there uniforms, cars, training etc cost more.

Good on you
Where abouts are you?
I'm also in civil defence in the northwest

RUNNER 1 · 23-01-2015 4:39pm

wish it was set up like the UK , Runs so well over there . 6months and it all done from interview to training date.

RUNNER 1 · 23-01-2015 4:44pm

I also herd its only 1 class this year , its getting less and less each year . started with 4 now its 1

SO7378 · 23-01-2015 6:44pm

"D Trent" im stationed in sligo what about you?

D Trent · 23-01-2015 10:57pm

SO7378 wrote: »

"D Trent" im stationed in sligo what about you?

Stationed? Haha

Leitrim

SO7378 · 24-01-2015 3:38pm

"D trent" yeah the sligo unit, and kool.
you working the Fleadh Cheoile this year in sligo

janet1989 · 25-01-2015 8:28pm

The reserve defence forces process only takes approx 5 months. I don't know why the GR cant be as efficient. But then again not as many people apply for the RDF as they do for the GR.

gilly0512 · 28-01-2015 1:17am

I sadly had high hopes when the new Commish took over on the basis that her son was also a Reserve, and also that her appointment pretty much coincided with the Inspectorate report which was quite critical on how Reserves were utilised. However as we have seen recently with penalty points still been cancelled under her watch, it looks like nothing will ever change in AGS, they are 20 years behind most other Police Forces technologically, and probably about 50 years behind mentally. It's a crying shame when once considers what a difference the Reserve could make if utilised properly, but sadly I don't ever see us been utilised properly, or given proper training or powers.

carzony · 28-01-2015 1:24am

gilly2308 wrote: »

they are 20 years behind most other Police Forces technologically, and probably about 50 years behind mentally.

i laughed at that quote

:D

The new commish will do nothing for AGS as shes the ultimate internal candidate and has no real vision, like the rest of them

i was suprised to read her husband is a detective sergeant and son a reserve yet she still seems clueless.

tg123 · 28-01-2015 3:43pm

carzony wrote: »

i laughed at that quote :D

The new commish will do nothing for AGS as shes the ultimate internal candidate and has no real vision, like the rest of them

i was suprised to read her husband is a detective sergeant and son a reserve yet she still seems clueless.

We have to give her a chance , how long has she been in the Commissioners role not even 3 months yet.

By the way her husband is a Super not a D/Sgt

bluetop · 28-01-2015 11:19pm

gilly2308 wrote: »

I sadly had high hopes when the new Commish took over on the basis that her son was also a Reserve, and also that her appointment pretty much coincided with the Inspectorate report which was quite critical on how Reserves were utilised. However as we have seen recently with penalty points still been cancelled under her watch, it looks like nothing will ever change in AGS, they are 20 years behind most other Police Forces technologically, and probably about 50 years behind mentally. It's a crying shame when once considers what a difference the Reserve could make if utilised properly, but sadly I don't ever see us been utilised properly, or given proper training or powers.

Things will never change, the reserve force as it stands is not fit for purpose little or of no use to the full time members we are supposed to be working alongside, while we are a 3rd person that's about it full ..........

We swore the same oath went thru the same vetting procedures yet are not trusted to do what we were appointed to do, min access to pulse which is a joke we to have full access to be able to give the correct info, limited info could either lead to some aspects of crime not been detected this information is vital to our FT collogues, no PO despite the up-skilling taking place in 2013 we are now into 2015 and still no further after the reserves been in existence since 2006, what other country would you see a reserve police force been at the same place it started 9yrs ago !! .

Is it any wonder why the hrs reserves have put in have decreased in the last few years, this is all due to lack of structure lack of interest from the park lack of direction lack of trust, not to mention the H&S implications regarding the issuing of radios to Reserve members.

Alfasudcrazy · 17-02-2015 1:54am

A bit depressing to read about the reserves. I printed out the interview form today and was thinking of sending it in. I am a retired member - 15 years as a Garda 16 as a Sergeant. I know the Garda system well so am prepared for the long slog that this might become and the limitations the job has. Obviously I have no ambitions beyond simply being a reserve Garda.
Still I see some benefit for me and hopefully the force if I get it so I will see how I get on.

Yogi Bear · 17-02-2015 11:50am

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

A bit depressing to read about the reserves. I printed out the interview form today and was thinking of sending it in. I am a retired member - 15 years as a Garda 16 as a Sergeant. I know the Garda system well so am prepared for the long slog that this might become and the limitations the job has. Obviously I have no ambitions beyond simply being a reserve Garda.
Still I see some benefit for me and hopefully the force if I get it so I will see how I get on.

I dont think you will have a long wait at all. If you were a serving member your forms will come back quicker and as far as i am aware you only have to attend the first weekend of training.

Good to see retired members come to the reserve.

rookie1470 · 19-02-2015 11:50pm

I did my exam & interview in 2012 in Athlone, did my interview in my local station with a Supt and got his full backing. I rang Garda HQ on a few occasions to see if my background checks had been completed but up to a few months ago I was still waiting on the last of the three checks to come back. I guess with the intake of the full time trainees the GR intake has been reduced drastically and background check put to one side for the moment.

RUNNER 1 · 20-02-2015 12:29am

so ur waiting a good 3 years!?

rookie1470 · 20-02-2015 9:47am

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

so ur waiting a good 3 years!?

From the exam & interview in Athlone to date nearly 3 years now.

D Trent · 20-02-2015 10:06am

rookie1470 wrote: »

From the exam & interview in Athlone to date nearly 3 years now.

Where in Athlone?

rookie1470 · 20-02-2015 10:15am

D Trent wrote: »

Where in Athlone?

Unsure of the name of the hotel in Athlone!!

D Trent · 20-02-2015 10:38am

rookie1470 wrote: »

Unsure of the name of the hotel in Athlone!!

It's grand thanks
Many of ye there?

rookie1470 · 20-02-2015 10:53am

D Trent wrote: »

It's grand thanks
Many of ye there?

There was 25 sitting the exam, after it was finished 7 names were called of which I was one of them and told that we would be sitting an interview with a Public Jobs representative and a retired Supt. Something none of us knew would happen.

RUNNER 1 · 20-02-2015 12:07pm

3 years and your still not in , crazy, its 2 years for me , makes me wounder how many are waiting to get in

Alan94 · 20-02-2015 2:25pm

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

3 years and your still not in , crazy, its 2 years for me , makes me wounder how many are waiting to get in

When did your BR forms go in runner ? Two years to the day for me since first applying

RUNNER 1 · 20-02-2015 3:16pm

September 2013, so 17 months ago but I'm over 2 years in the process

tg123 · 20-02-2015 4:11pm

People, it will happen.

I know its a long process but its not an ordinary volunteer role which you have applied for. The number of checks that have to done is exhaustive because of the position of trust you are been considered for.

Speaking as a Reserve with 6 years experience it will be worth it in the end. I was waiting 18 months from application to entering the college. Some take longer I know but the wait is definitely worth it.

For those that get the offer, you will be joining at the most exciting period of the Garda Reserve. We are about to enter a whole new arena and the possibilities are extremely exciting for those of us who have dedicated a lot of time, effort and hours to working with our full time colleagues and in some ways changing attitudes to how valuable an asset the Reserve can be to individual units. From my own experience I know that I am making a serious contribution to my unit on a regular basis. The skills I have obtained since joining are numerous but these skills need to learned and used . They are perishable and if you don't turn up for duty on a regular basis then they are lost and you are back at stage one. Once you have got to a certain level of knowledge you will be surprised at the confidence you will gain , the trust that your full time colleagues will put in you and the duties which will be allocated to you.

I wish you all the best for the selection process.

Thekid2010 · 01-03-2015 5:49am

I completed my interviews in March 2013 and last one in nov 2013,missed a call from private number just before Christmas,rang the reserve office in the new year to see if there was any news and they told me they were trying to arrange a medical date and there is none on the cards at present,is there anybody else waiting on a medical,I'm hoping to be in the batch this year

Santa Cruz · 01-03-2015 1:13pm

tg123 wrote: »

People, it will happen.

I know its a long process but its not an ordinary volunteer role which you have applied for. The number of checks that have to done is exhaustive because of the position of trust you are been considered for.

Speaking as a Reserve with 6 years experience it will be worth it in the end. I was waiting 18 months from application to entering the college. Some take longer I know but the wait is definitely worth it.

For those that get the offer, you will be joining at the most exciting period of the Garda Reserve. We are about to enter a whole new arena and the possibilities are extremely exciting for those of us who have dedicated a lot of time, effort and hours to working with our full time colleagues and in some ways changing attitudes to how valuable an asset the Reserve can be to individual units. From my own experience I know that I am making a serious contribution to my unit on a regular basis. The skills I have obtained since joining are numerous but these skills need to learned and used . They are perishable and if you don't turn up for duty on a regular basis then they are lost and you are back at stage one. Once you have got to a certain level of knowledge you will be surprised at the confidence you will gain , the trust that your full time colleagues will put in you and the duties which will be allocated to you.

I wish you all the best for the selection process.

Exhaustive checks! It's not MI5 you're joining. There clearly is no priority being given to the applications.

tg123 · 01-03-2015 5:31pm

Santa Cruz wrote: »

Exhaustive checks! It's not MI5 you're joining. There clearly is no priority being given to the applications.

I dont think you know anything in relation to the type of checks which are required and i suppose how could you afterall you tend to submit posts based on suppasition and conjecture with no intention to help or advise those would are searching for guidance and advice
. Just constant negativity.so why bother

we need to be more positive

RUNNER 1 · 01-03-2015 6:35pm

Real slamming matches going on in these forums lol

tg123 · 01-03-2015 7:33pm

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Real slamming matches going on in these forums lol

No slamming intended we have to post accurate information which informs and encourages

Garda reserve 2015

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