Garda Reserve Experiences

tucker1971 · 12-02-2008 2:46pm

I just have a question for the people on here who are currently reserves, how did your friends and family react to your decision to become a reserve?
I would be interested in hearing your replies as I have a feeling some of my friends when they hear my intentions will not be too supportive.

Stereophonic · 12-02-2008 3:23pm

Directing this to current reservists, are you allow to bring your parts of your uniform home? I know the story with the ID already. What items of uinform are you allow to bring home if you are allowed?

Thanks

pat1187 · 12-02-2008 7:05pm

tucker1971 wrote: »

I just have a question for the people on here who are currently reserves, how did your friends and family react to your decision to become a reserve?
I would be interested in hearing your replies as I have a feeling some of my friends when they hear my intentions will not be too supportive.

I suppose it must depend on your age, my friends thought I was a little cracked and work colleagues used to go quiet now and then but eventually seemed to forget and now it's business as usual, Depends on how much you go on about it. I am in my 50's so it will be different than for someone in their 20's etc. overall though not a lot of difference.

lehanemore · 12-02-2008 7:13pm

pat1187 wrote: »

I suppose it must depend on your age, my friends thought I was a little cracked and work colleagues used to go quiet now and then but eventually seemed to forget and now it's business as usual, Depends on how much you go on about it. I am in my 50's so it will be different than for someone in their 20's etc. overall though not a lot of difference.

and what about your full time colleagues on the Force, how are relations now a year or two after it was rolled out?

pat1187 · 13-02-2008 3:12pm

lehanemore wrote: »

and what about your full time colleagues on the Force, how are relations now a year or two after it was rolled out?

Great, like anything,you have to work to earn respect and therefore gain authority,
It helps a lot when you are assigned to a unit and are trying to get to know a dozen or so people instead of everyone all at the one time.I have only been here since September and have no gripes whatsoever.

fluffyduffy · 20-02-2008 9:59pm

Can anyone tell me how many Garda Reserves there are at present??
How many do they plan to have???

Thanks!

paul666 · 20-02-2008 11:36pm

fluffyduffy wrote: »

Can anyone tell me how many Garda Reserves there are at present??
How many do they plan to have???

Thanks!

I think they are looking for around 4000
but im sure that figure would be gettin revised every year

pat1187 · 21-02-2008 6:15pm

fluffyduffy wrote: »

Can anyone tell me how many Garda Reserves there are at present??
How many do they plan to have???

Thanks!

should be around 170 attested reserves at this time.

paul666 · 21-02-2008 8:58pm

pat1187 wrote: »

should be around 170 attested reserves at this time.

wow is that all
how come so few.

gilly0512 · 22-02-2008 8:46am

paul666 wrote: »

I think they are looking for around 4000
but im sure that figure would be gettin revised every year

The plan is to have the Reserve force at 10% of the full time force by 2012, by which time it is envisaged there will be 15,000 full time members. Therefore they are hoping to have 1,500 reserve members by 2012. Finally there are just over 200 reserve members at this moment in time, with another batch due to attest next month.

gilly0512 · 22-02-2008 8:49am

Stereophonic wrote: »

Directing this to current reservists, are you allow to bring your parts of your uniform home? I know the story with the ID already. What items of uinform are you allow to bring home if you are allowed?

Thanks

You are supposed to leave you uniform in a locker at your station, then again I know of very few reserves that have been given lockers, so most people would bring their uniforms and id cards home with them. Even if you have a locker there is nobody that I know of stopping you bringing your uniform home, just make sure you look after it!!

Murphy(Cork) · 25-02-2008 6:55pm

Hey,
Does anyone know, how i go about getting the money back for the Hep B injections???
Thanks

leo bowes · 28-02-2008 11:38pm

can anybody tell me what restrictions the garda reserve have regarding tattoos

leinsterdude · 29-02-2008 9:45am

I have 2 one one each arm (sorry now) small as they are I am starting training nxt wk.I guess if they were on my forearm or neck etc it could change things,although uk police seem to not be bothered.

leo bowes · 29-02-2008 7:42pm

hi leinsterdude i have them on my right hand and was wondering how this might affect me

leinsterdude · 01-03-2008 9:12am

Hi,on hand or just visible,would depend what is was I think,although I am unsure but if it was political or dodgy in some way it may not be good to be shown,anyone else know?

Mad jesty · 10-03-2008 8:43pm

Hi
I haven't contacted my Sgt yet at my local station,because I was told to wait until tomorrow, As far as I know we have to do 56 hrs over the next 9 weeks. And you attend your local station in 3 hr sessions so there will be approx two of those a week, stage 2 will be law studies, I do know there is an exam at the end of this stage (2) and that exam takes place at your training station and last approx 45 mins.

Also you asked me for a break down on the recruitment process,
basically, I applied online over 12 months ago, so it takes roughly a year to go from registering your interest online to actually being accepted and begining your training. And others I spoke to over the weekend said it had taken them even longer say for example 18 months, to go from registering interest to commencement of training.

It didn't take long.... a matter of a few weeks before I received contact and a date for the first interview and exam, and I think it was as little as two weeks after that I got my letter to say I had passed the interview and exam, I recieved the email with the GR2 the same day my letter arrived in the post.

The next section is up to you, how quickly you take to fill out the form and track down your aunties and uncles ext. and many long conversations with a few stray family members as you search for dates of birth, full address etc. It took me a long time to track people down, which should explain the long gap before I was interviewed the second time by my Sgt.

so the quicker you get that filled in the better, then you email it back, they verify it and send it back to you, then you print it and take it in to the station and they witness you sign it there and they process that for you, the next stage is you wait, while they check you out.

After that you will be called to an informal interview with your local Sgt. and he/she will go over your form with you, and I can't give you a time here because its different for everyone,

a few more weeks (last Jan ) after that I was called for my interview with the local Super, this was more formal but still relaxed, he was very friendly and I enjoyed the interview, he asked me about my family and why I wanted to join and asked me a series of questions to determine what kind of character I was etc.

and my medical was the near the end of Feb and once I passed that I received a call the next day to confirm I would be attending for training on the 8th and 9th of March.

shakin · 10-03-2008 9:37pm

very helpful thanks a million,
so if apply now when is the earliest do you think i could start-best case scenario?:D

munster4868 · 10-03-2008 11:33pm

To Leinsterdude...... and everybody else
Well now,
I hope you enjoyed your mixed grill you had with me and arrived home in one piece...
My body is sore today.. muscles i never knew was there... Well i hope the legal studies go good with you and everybody else... Mine start on Sunday... for the whole day... 8 hours with a break... See ye all on the 11th..

leinsterdude · 11-03-2008 9:24am

Hi,thanks good luck to you too,talk in 8 weeks.:D

scullersky · 11-03-2008 8:35pm

Ok thanks paul..... Musy you wear a suit for that interview aswell? Aftr that whats next?? Li ke i said im really worried abouth the Gr2!!

munster4868 · 12-03-2008 11:27am

Tommy-Kerry wrote: »

Ok thanks paul..... Musy you wear a suit for that interview aswell? Aftr that whats next?? Li ke i said im really worried abouth the Gr2!!

You will not be judged for other peoples actions unless they feel that you will be a treat to the secure information you might come across yourself. This backround check i believe is done by the local station and not by Garda HQ. The next intake is in June i believe so you might not hear back from the HQ with a confirmed GR2 form number for some time. Remember, the wheels of a big organisation turn very slowly and what's for you won't pass you... Also, the wearing of a suit is your choice but i would recommend that you be smartly dressed.. (first impressions and all that) that could consist of a pullover (jumper), shirt (no tie) and a casual trousers (not tracksuit / old jeans etc...).. The main thing is the right person not the material they are looking for. Good Luck

Mad jesty · 12-03-2008 2:31pm

shakin wrote: »

very helpful thanks a million,
so if apply now when is the earliest do you think i could start-best case scenario?:D

I'd say if you apply now best case would be in 12 months time, I think,
it does take a bit of time,
maybe if you return your gr2 in good time it will go quicker for you, but I can't say how long it will take for them to get back to you one you register your interest,
good luck to you, I hope you go for it, it really is a very good experience.

shakin · 12-03-2008 7:22pm

:Dcheers

wetgarden · 15-03-2008 10:19pm

Mad jesty,

How do the members of the full time force treat you?
I was talking to a reserve member recently and he said he was treated great like one of the fulltimers. Its just that there was alot of tension when this was first introduced. I presume you are treated well.:)

Invincible · 18-03-2008 1:07am

Just out of curiousity,would ye'r long term ambition be,to be proper Gardai ?

leinsterdude · 18-03-2008 8:32am

Invincible wrote: »

Just out of curiousity,would ye'r long term ambition be,to be proper Gardai ?

Invincible,dont know if you are trying to be a smart ass but in answer to your question I would say almost half are looking to join the full timers,others like me just want to do something interesting and worthwhile in our spare time,we are all aware we will not be on CSI Dublin!!!! but are still happy to do this.

Invincible · 18-03-2008 9:28pm

leinsterdude wrote: »

Invincible,dont know if you are trying to be a smart ass but in answer to your question I would say almost half are looking to join the full timers,others like me just want to do something interesting and worthwhile in our spare time,we are all aware we will not be on CSI Dublin!!!! but are still happy to do this.

Well leinsterdude,
not "trying to be a smart arse",just curious,as have relative in Gardai,and am aware of the high esteem,that ye'r held in.

tucker1971 · 18-03-2008 11:45pm

Invincible wrote: »

Well leinsterdude,
not "trying to be a smart arse",just curious,as have relative in Gardai,and am aware of the high esteem,that ye'r held in.

I take it that your trying to be sarcastic mate??

leinsterdude · 20-03-2008 10:16am

Hi,wondering if any reserves in training or on duty who are in late 20's to early 30's thinking of applying for full time or have already applied,the salary would be my main concern for 2-3 yrs,any thoughts?

Mad jesty · 20-03-2008 11:46am

leinsterdude wrote: »

Hi,wondering if any reserves in training or on duty who are in late 20's to early 30's thinking of applying for full time or have already applied,the salary would be my main concern for 2-3 yrs,any thoughts?

There are people who do go for it, and it will be a struggle but if you want it bad enough, its a struggle worth dealing with in the long run.
I think if you just apply and try and see if you can manage, at least you won't have any doubts in a few years time when you are over the age limit.....

karlokarl · 23-04-2008 6:43pm

I sent it to Public Jobs but then I was told to go to the local Garda station....I rang up Public Jobs and they said that I was right to send it to them.
Just wondering, do the GR now have power of arrest for public order??

scullersky · 23-04-2008 9:30pm

karlokarl wrote: »

I sent it to Public Jobs but then I was told to go to the local Garda station....I rang up Public Jobs and they said that I was right to send it to them.
Just wondering, do the GR now have power of arrest for public order??

Yes the GR have the power to arrest in Public Order Offences.........;)

flat_tyre_again · 24-04-2008 1:36pm

Tommy-Kerry wrote: »

Yes the GR have the power to arrest in Public Order Offences.........;)

Please correct me if I'm wrong but GR do not have power under Public Order. GR can Arrest for Arrestable offences specified within the act such as Riot, Violent Disorder and Affray and have certain powers when section 21 is envolked within a cordon at an event, however they do not have P.O.A for the non arrestable offences e.g. Failure to comply Section 8

scullersky · 24-04-2008 1:59pm

POLICING POWERS

The powers of Reserve members will generally be confined, at first instance,
to the following areas of duty:
1. under the Road Traffic Acts - demanding driving licences and insurance
details, enforcing the wearing of seat belts etc;
2. under the Public Order Act – dealing with the offences of intoxication,
threatening behaviour, disorderly conduct and failure to comply with the
direction of a member of An Garda Síochána; and
3. under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act –
dealing with the offences of theft and burglary.
4. Reserve members would also be given the power of arrest under
the Criminal Law Act 1997, which provides powers of arrest for

both members of the Garda Síochána and civilians.

ACCESS TO PULSE

Reserve members will have limited access to
PULSE. They will not have access to
intelligence entries on the PULSE System.
All access to PULSE will be strictly
controlled by the Information Technology
Division of An Garda Síochána, based on a
personal warrant number.
Reserve members will carry out the following
functions on PULSE:
1. Inputting Driving Licence / Insurance details
2. Vehicle Checks
3. Update Vehicle Status

4. Warrant Searches

flat_tyre_again · 24-04-2008 3:23pm

Tommy-Kerry wrote: »

POLICING POWERS

The powers of Reserve members will generally be confined, at first instance,
to the following areas of duty:
1. under the Road Traffic Acts - demanding driving licences and insurance
details, enforcing the wearing of seat belts etc;
2. under the Public Order Act – dealing with the offences of intoxication,
threatening behaviour, disorderly conduct and failure to comply with the
direction of a member of An Garda Síochána; and
3. under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act –
dealing with the offences of theft and burglary.
4. Reserve members would also be given the power of arrest under
the Criminal Law Act 1997, which provides powers of arrest for
both members of the Garda Síochána and civilians.

ACCESS TO PULSE
Reserve members will have limited access to
PULSE. They will not have access to
intelligence entries on the PULSE System.
All access to PULSE will be strictly
controlled by the Information Technology
Division of An Garda Síochána, based on a
personal warrant number.
Reserve members will carry out the following
functions on PULSE:
1. Inputting Driving Licence / Insurance details
2. Vehicle Checks
3. Update Vehicle Status
4. Warrant Searches

Thing is that the above ( does not confer upon Reserve Garda P.O.A for non arrestable offences. As I mentioned in an earlier post, failing to comply with the direction of a Garda is not an arrestable offence under CLA 1997 therefore GR don't actually have P.O.A under the Public Order Act. I'm getting into grey areas now and being frivolous in picking on the fact that you mentioned P.O.A under Public Order Act. Its a slight difference but all the same, an important one.

If you had access to a current GR Policy and Proceedure Manual you would see GR's have no general powers under Public Order Act

tucker1971 · 26-04-2008 5:28pm

flat_tyre_again wrote: »

Thing is that the above ( does not confer upon Reserve Garda P.O.A for non arrestable offences. As I mentioned in an earlier post, failing to comply with the direction of a Garda is not an arrestable offence under CLA 1997 therefore GR don't actually have P.O.A under the Public Order Act. I'm getting into grey areas now and being frivolous in picking on the fact that you mentioned P.O.A under Public Order Act. Its a slight difference but all the same, an important one.

If you had access to a current GR Policy and Proceedure Manual you would see GR's have no general powers under Public Order Act

Reserves have NO power of arrest for public order. Its all very confusing at the moment, but its basicallly under the road traffic acts that reserves powers come into play.

Is there anybody here on phase 3 or attested yet?

JUst wondering have ye been assigned to a unit and if so do you find it difficult to get in the hours, as the roster been as it is would mean your unit only working every second or third weekend.

Also have ye been doing 8 hour shifts or do they mind people coming in and doing the 4 hours? Obviously it would be much handier to get the hours in during the week if they agreed to 4, as it would be nigh on impossible for anybody working to do 8 hours during the week.

All comments greatly appreciated, or pms.;)

karlokarl · 26-04-2008 7:13pm

So does that mean that if ur on duty in Dublin city on a Fri or Sat night, you don't have the power of arrest if people are absolutely wasted and getting into fights? That's a bit crazy isn't it? What are the GR supposed to do? Just stand back and do nothing??

tucker1971 · 26-04-2008 7:25pm

karlokarl wrote: »

So does that mean that if ur on duty in Dublin city on a Fri or Sat night, you don't have the power of arrest if people are absolutely wasted and getting into fights? That's a bit crazy isn't it? What are the GR supposed to do? Just stand back and do nothing??

Ye thats basically it. The full time member that your with is supposed to do the arresting. Bit ridiculous I know but thats the senario.

lehanemore · 27-04-2008 7:17pm

tucker1971 wrote: »

Ye thats basically it. The full time member that your with is supposed to do the arresting. Bit ridiculous I know but thats the senario.

is it then difficult to be then taken seriously by the members of the unit you've been assiged to because of restrictions like these, and are there things you can do to realistically be of help?

leinsterdude · 27-04-2008 11:15pm

Try police specials forum its the English version of this,:pac: very good read.

shakin · 28-04-2008 2:24am

leinsterdude wrote: »

Try police specials forum its the English version of this,:pac: very good read.

surely they can assist in restraint, handcuff lead away from trouble area?

the police specials are different and have more responsibility from what i saw in an episode of crimewatch anyway.
they can drive cars and vans and they can patrol alone. ive seen them bring a suspect to a station to be processed and seen them issue fixed penalty notice for out-of-date tax

wetgarden · 28-04-2008 10:34am

tucker1971 wrote: »

Ye thats basically it. The full time member that your with is supposed to do the arresting. Bit ridiculous I know but thats the senario.

You have the power of arrest i.e. similiar to citizen's arrest, have you not?

flat_tyre_again · 28-04-2008 11:07am

wetgarden wrote: »

You have the power of arrest i.e. similiar to citizen's arrest, have you not?

GR's power of Arrest and a Citizens power of arrest come from the same act (Criminal Law Act 1997) for arrestable offences. The only difference is that a GR does not have to hand the arrested individual(s) over to a full time member. GR's do everything from arrest to court.

GR have many more powers than that of a citizen.

tucker1971 · 28-04-2008 11:13am

wetgarden wrote: »

You have the power of arrest i.e. similiar to citizen's arrest, have you not?

GRs like citizens have power of arrest under the Criminal Law Act 1997, however they cant arrest for less serious offences, i.e Public Order, drunk driving etc....
As far as I am aware the crime has to have a penalty of 5 years imprisonment or more in order for a GR to arrest, apart from the certain powers GR have under Road Traffic.

pat1187 · 28-04-2008 1:23pm

wetgarden wrote: »

You have the power of arrest i.e. similiar to citizen's arrest, have you not?

A citizen can only arrest someone under Sec. 4, subsection 1 and 2 of the Criminal law act 1997,
as well as the above a Garda Reserve can arrest under Subsection 3.

Its best you google the Criminal Law act and read it. It would take me too long to type it.

wetgarden · 28-04-2008 1:45pm

flat_tyre_again wrote: »

GR's power of Arrest and a Citizens power of arrest come from the same act (Criminal Law Act 1997) for arrestable offences. The only difference is that a GR does not have to hand the arrested individual(s) over to a full time member. GR's do everything from arrest to court.

GR have many more powers than that of a citizen.

I think you misunderstood me.
Obviously they would have more powers than that of a citizen. With all the talk about what arresting powers the GR have, one would think they have hardly any at all. All I was saying was they can arrest similiar to a citizen anyway and all the other powers then that go along with that!:D

karlokarl · 28-04-2008 7:29pm

pat1187 wrote: »

A citizen can only arrest someone under Sec. 4, subsection 1 and 2 of the Criminal law act 1997,
as well as the above a Garda Reserve can arrest under Subsection 3.

Its best you google the Criminal Law act and read it. It would take me too long to type it.

I read the subsections in the criminal law act and subsection 3 under sec. 4 states that a member of An Garda Siochana can make an arrest if they are of the opinion that the offence is an arrestible one.
This surely means that the GR can arrest if people are drunk/dis-orderly or using threatening behavior, does it not?

flat_tyre_again · 28-04-2008 10:20pm

karlokarl wrote: »

I read the subsections in the criminal law act and subsection 3 under sec. 4 states that a member of An Garda Siochana can make an arrest if they are of the opinion that the offence is an arrestible one.
This surely means that the GR can arrest if people are drunk/dis-orderly or using threatening behavior, does it not?

Nope, An arrestable offence is....

"an offence for which the penalty can be 5 years imprisonment or more"

Threatening/Abusive behaviour in a public place (S6 Public Order Act 1994) is dealt with by a max sentence of £500 and/or 3 months imprisonment therefore it is not an arrestable offence under Criminal Law Act 1997.

If the penalty is less than 5 years in prison then it is not an Arrestable offence in terms of Setion 4 of CLA97. This does not mean you cant be arrested for it, just that you can't be arrested under S4(3) CLA, you would be arrested under Public Order Act S24 for the offence of contravening S6.

Hope this helps

flat_tyre_again · 28-04-2008 10:29pm

wetgarden wrote: »

I think you misunderstood me.
Obviously they would have more powers than that of a citizen. With all the talk about what arresting powers the GR have, one would think they have hardly any at all. All I was saying was they can arrest similiar to a citizen anyway and all the other powers then that go along with that!:D

Yes Mate, sorry, did pick you up wrongly. There was talk of the GR's getting Public order powers at the AGM in Jan but it was not passed. I guess that is because it is where most complaints come from.

Garda Reserve Experiences

Comments