Garda Reserve Experiences

metman

Good post mate, very informative.

Stay_in_Kampuchea

lehanemore wrote: »

sorry I couldn't answer your question in more detail, I was up the walls at work and only had a minute at my pc, also I'm no legal eagle so i couldn't comment any further anyway without speculating.:)

ah it's grand, I know the feeling....plus I tried reading that act and my eyes nearly fell out of my skull...good oul McDowell.

Fyr.Fytr

boardsbandit200 wrote: »

Hi i'm in the reserve now for almost a year- i joined when i was 19- i was shy and blisfully unaware of what it was like to be garda. I'm also the only one in my district and had no other reserves to help me settle in.
The garda reserve has been absolutely brilliant for me- it gave me character, confidence and now the ambition to join the full-time garda and I would encourage any other younger people to join- not just to learn but to experience what it's like to be a gaurd. The regular gardai in my district are sound and my sergant and inspector have always been there to help me and thank me for turning up saturday nights. They have been great at helping me ease into the garda role.

I really only do saturday nights- to suit me (i go out drinking thursday nights- student nights). My saturday nights comprimise of either foot patrol or i'm in the squad car- it's 50-50 really i've come across a lot of different things- from fights, domestic disputes, car accidents and checkpoints.
I have been with another regular gaurd the entire time throughout any patrols and yes I have had to restrain and hancuff people- I always make sure that my partner knows about what powers I have.

There has been a lot of complaining coming from everywhere at the reserve- i think the reserve is an absolute brilliant concept and a lot more young people should join if they are planning to join the regulars- it gives great insight, boosts confidence, and gives great experience to people who like myself hadn't seen much and that were fresh out of school. To any other young people who are planning to join or are curently in the recruitment process don't be put down by the interview or the long wait (I think it's been shortened a bit).

Cheers for that, good to hear it from the horses mouth.

How long does app take, do i need my leaving cert results before i can apply or can i apply now and have them by the time of interview etc?

shakin

wetgarden wrote: »

Hi all.
I need some guidance here please.
I have done all that is required for the Garda Reserve, passed all interviews and medicals and spoken to Garda Reserves who are out and fully qualified. I am scheduled to go in to Templemore in June. However with all the negative comments e.g.

1. GRA calling for it to be scrapped

2. Their Duties seem to be very limited from carrying out my own research and from reading the forum,

I'm having doubts. I'm all for the the GR but I'm beginning to wonder is it worthwhile! due to all the neagtive publicity. For those who intend to go into the Garda fulltime, it is a brilliant idea and gives a huge insight inton the organisation and how it is run. Myself, I work as a Manufacturing Engineer and will probably never join the fulltime force. I'm all for the GR and was looking forward to qualifying and working weekends which appears to be the done thing.

However there is still alot of negative comments out there whether it is about the system and the way it is run or with the GR themselves.
Also I'm not sure of how work colleagues and friends would react and what would their thoughts be. Anyone in this situation??

Not sure what to do. I had my heart set on it but now I'm not so sure! Any advice would be greatfully appreciated
From a disgruntled reserve candidate

gra have looked for a few things over the years but dont always get them.

gilly0512

In July I will have completed my first year as a Garda Reserve, although sadly my initial enthusiasm for this concept is somewhat on the wane. As our full time member has rightly pointed out, there are both advantages and disadvantages to the whole Reserve concept, but as is typical in this country, our Government has gone half heartedly into the whole reserve concept, leaving Reserves in some sort of limbo land, been classed as Gardai, yet with little or no more powers than your average civilian. If the government want the reserve concept to work, they have to give us more powers, as it is laughable to expect decent men and women to put on a uniform every Saturday night, and then spend 8 hours been babysat by a full time member. Our only use is when an extra physical presence is required, apart from that I feel that we make little or no contribution (through no fault of our own) to policing in this country, and in its present guise I do not give the Garda Reserve any future. As somebody else has already pointed out, we need to be given powers, to be allowed stand on our own two feet, and to be accountable for our actions, only then can it be seen if the Garda Reserve is working or not. However I will not hold my breath, as we all know how slowly things move in this country, which either means that if the government ever do get around to giving reserves more powers, that there will be none left, all having left out of pure frustration

iceman_kill

Why are GR members not allowed to drive Garda cars. Full time members can drive them as long as they have a full driving licence with no penalty points and permission from the district superintendant (Open to correction on that). As far as I know, fulltime members don't receive any driving training while at Templemore (but can apply for the course once they have graduated) so what would be the difference in a member of the GR with a full licence and no points (and possibly more experience) driving a patrol car and a full time member doing the same??

CapL

Do all the reserve Gardai and student gardai carry identifiaction(warrant card). I mean officially they are not sworn members as such are they???

Would someone who is in the reserve or a Student gaurd please outline some of the powers they have or do not have.

Thanks.

kerry4sam

CapL wrote: »

Do all the reserve Gardai and student gardai carry identifiaction(warrant card). I mean officially they are not sworn members as such are they???

Would someone who is in the reserve or a Student gaurd please outline some of the powers they have or do not have.

Thanks.

kerry4sam wrote: »

hey i found this very useful info. on the Emergency Services General forum when the OP asked 'Reserves:the internals of it and how it works for you when on duty' ... http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55905250&postcount=7

good insight there by karlitosway1978

kerry4sam

CapL wrote: »

Do all the reserve Gardai and student gardai carry identifiaction(warrant card). I mean officially they are not sworn members as such are they???

Would someone who is in the reserve or a Student gaurd please outline some of the powers they have or do not have.

Thanks.

you can also look at http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=55905250#post55905250 where several people give their views and opinions and experiences

CO19

But if reserves were given the power of arrest for public order etc would that not mean that you would have to go to court as a result which would mean a major inconvenience for some members ? I think that's why reserves can't arrest people for stuff like that.

wetgarden

CO19 wrote: »

But if reserves were given the power of arrest for public order etc would that not mean that you would have to go to court as a result which would mean a major inconvenience for some members ? I think that's why reserves can't arrest people for stuff like that.

If you have these powers, indeed a court appearance would be part of the process but how would that be a major inconvenience for other members???

CO19

wetgarden wrote: »

If you have these powers, indeed a court appearance would be part of the process but how would that be a major inconvenience for other members???

I meant it would be an inconvenience for some reserve members with work etc

wetgarden

CO19 wrote: »

I meant it would be an inconvenience for some reserve members with work etc

Oh sorry. A misunderstanding. Apologies:D:D:D

Lilibet

CO19 wrote: »

But if reserves were given the power of arrest for public order etc would that not mean that you would have to go to court as a result which would mean a major inconvenience for some members ? I think that's why reserves can't arrest people for stuff like that.

I feel that the thinking behind not giving powers is because e.g if a nurse who is a reserve has to spend a day in court following an arrest,an agency nurse,who is expensive by all accounts, would have to be employed to cover her duty hours and that would have to be paid for out of the Garda budget.Likewise a teacher or any other employee whose employer would have to cover for the reserves absence.Any employer would not want to be expected to foot the bill and if all this has to be paid for out of the Garda budget,it would leave less for fulltime policing on an ongoing basis.
Also,is it expected that the employee get paid for the days absence from work due to the attendance at court and does that come from the Garda budget also?
Perhaps I'm wrong but maybe thats the reason.

lehanemore

Bren1609 wrote: »

Did anyone see the front page of the examiner today calling for the Garda Reserve to be scrapped?

Here is the link.

http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2008/04/30/story61635.asp

Starsky & Hutch is on TV tonight for all of us :rolleyes::D

freddiew

Link does not work I'm afraid

Shield

freddiew wrote: »

Link does not work I'm afraid

Link fixed!

freddiew

Yes, Idid see that one just thought it may have been another one

Story1970

Are reserve members permitted to carry their ID whilst not on duty ?

lehanemore

Story1970 wrote: »

Are reserve members permitted to carry their ID whilst not on duty ?

earlier in this thread someone said it was supposed to stay in your locker in the station.

Murphy(Cork)

You're allowed take it home, but don't dream off taking it out with you i.e. night out, If that is lost, huge security issues arise.. If you get a Locker at the station, i say keep it there.

tucker1971

Story1970 wrote: »

Are reserve members permitted to carry their ID whilst not on duty ?

Reserves are permitted to carry their id while on duty and also while going to and from duty. As stated in the Reserve handbook.;)

wetgarden

tucker1971 wrote: »

Reserves are permitted to carry their id while on duty and also while going to and from duty. As stated in the Reserve handbook.;)

Do you only get this booklet when you are qualified or can it be accessed somewhere else. Just wondering because it would be good to know all of the rules/regulations that apply and also what exact powers you have. Seems to be alot of differences of opinion out there.

gilly0512

I have just completed my first year as a Garda Reserve, but lately I have started to get very disillusioned with the whole thing, as I feel that this whole concept in its present state is going nowhere, and I was just wondering what other reserve members, or even full time members think? As a concept the Garda Reserve has potential, but like most things in this country, it is not been utilised properly, as in its present guise we are nothing more than civies in uniform, with little or no powers, who have to be watched constantly by our full time colleagues anytime we are on duty. In December of this year the very first intake of Garda Reserves will complete their probationary period of two years, but at the end of this period they will still have the same pathetic powers, and will be no better off than a Reserve starting out on his probationary period. Therefore if the Garda Reserve is to survive, the powers that be have to start giving Reserves more responsibilities and powers, say after two years they get Public Order, third year they get section 23, and so on, with Reserves getting more powers as they progress. By giving Reserves more powers, will allow us to stand on our own two feet, to be held accountable for our actions, and only then can it be seen if the Garda Reserve is truely working or not, as it is most definitely not working in its present format.[/COLOR]

opti76

its a flawed concept in its present state,, because as it stands reserves are no benefit to us as serving members. in fact they can be a hinderance.. ive been pulled away from a job to go out with the reserve as there was already 1 in the station and 1 in the car ...

ive been taken off goin out wit the student who in my mind is a higher priority to go out with a reserve.. this isnt a blast at reserves as people but as how there utilised.. ..
i think they should be given more power.. because as it stands they have little more power than a civilian.

yayamark

I'm probably wrong but my thinking behind the reserves was they are a cheap way of putting feet on the street. I dont mean that ina condescending way but for years the public cryed out "we never see gardai on the beat anymore" "we never see gardai in our estate anymore" thus bringing in the reserve on the beat and into estates makes the general public feel safe.

The general public dont know that it is a Guard and a reserve walking around they are just happy and feel safe that there is 2 Gardai uniforms around.

I think giving reseves "powers" is a non runner with the powers that be cos thats not what they were brought in for.

Eru

I said before that the reserve needs powers thus standing on their own feet and being able to make a decent contribution. I also like the idea of phasing in the powers but I wouldnt go overboard with it as it could get confusing.

However remember that even without Garda powers your still an extra pair of hands and that in itself can be a benefit to fulltime members. I know I have used reserves in situations where manpower was low and it helped.

Vas_Guy

Might be a bit off topic, but I was a military police reservist, I had full powers of arrest and was armed on occasions for gate duty, reports on traffic accidents etc, etc basicall the same as the regulars.

Does anyone know what the UK & USA police reserves are like?

metman

In the UK reservists are called Special Constables.

From the Met Careers site:

"The MPS Special Constabulary is a force of volunteers who work with and offer support to regular Metropolitan Police Officers, providing a vital link with the people of London’s 32 Boroughs.

Afforded the same powers as regular officers and wearing the same uniform, Specials are everyday people who are prepared to give up at least eight hours of their spare time each fortnight to do something positive for themselves and their community.

As a Special you will be involved in all aspects of policing London, enjoying a variety of roles and carrying out such duties as:

Foot and vehicle patrols
Anti-Robbery initiatives
Working in schools to talk about safety and crime
Assisting in the event of accidents, fights and fires
Road safety initiatives
House-to-house enquiries
Helping safeguard public safety and security at local or major events
Presenting evidence in court
‘Hotspot’ operations to tackle underage drinking, criminal damage and nuisance/public disorder
Offering crime prevention advice and promoting property marketing initiatives.

While you won’t be paid for your time, your travelling expenses will be covered and you will receive an allowance for refreshments bought while on duty. You will also receive your uniform, together with a further allowance for footwear.

In addition, your training and duties will provide you with a number of intangible personal rewards. Interesting experiences, new friends, additional skills, a sense of achievement – they all ensure that you benefit from your time as a Special as much as the community you serve."

remmurts

Vas_Guy wrote: »

...but I was a military police reservist, I had full powers of arrest and was armed on occasions for gate duty, reports on traffic accidents etc, etc basicall the same as the regulars...

In Ireland? In the FCA?

gilly0512

Karlitosway1978 wrote: »

I said before that the reserve needs powers thus standing on their own feet and being able to make a decent contribution. I also like the idea of phasing in the powers but I wouldnt go overboard with it as it could get confusing.

However remember that even without Garda powers your still an extra pair of hands and that in itself can be a benefit to fulltime members. I know I have used reserves in situations where manpower was low and it helped.

I would hazard a guess that most reserves probably work a Friday night or Saturday night, so at the very least Reserves should be given public order powers, and over time relevant powers should be phased in such as section 23, section 3 and 15. I do agree that we do not require the entire suite of Garda powers, just enough for us to stand on our own two feet, and be thus accountable for our actions. This I feel would have the effect of making the regulars more comfortable at been sent out on the beat with a reserve, and would make the Reserves feel like they were making a valuable contribution, rather than just been a civvie in uniform who has to be constantly babysat, which is all we are at present. Anyway I won't hold my breath, as I think we are all aware of how slowly things move in this organisation, but hopefully the powers that be will give us the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to An Garda Siochana, through more powers and better utilisation of reserves.

Vas_Guy

remmurts wrote: »

In Ireland? In the FCA?

Yes and I'm proud of it.

I've done all the regular training and had the same powers as regualr MPs I've done UN courses with MPs from overseas.

And we were the red brets like the PDF

The RDF MP units are smaller units unlike the infantry and tends to have a more mature membership

Eru

gilly2308 wrote: »

I would hazard a guess that most reserves probably work a Friday night or Saturday night,.

Not in my experience. The hours worked depend on what suits their main commitments such as family, work and friends. Between those 3 weekends are usually not available for reserve work. The exception being the younger people that are looking to step up into the fulltime position or people that work strictly 9 to 5 weekdays.

gilly0512

Karlitosway1978 wrote: »

Not in my experience. The hours worked depend on what suits their main commitments such as family, work and friends. Between those 3 weekends are usually not available for reserve work. The exception being the younger people that are looking to step up into the fulltime position or people that work strictly 9 to 5 weekdays.

Karlitosway I was probably basing my assumption more on my own experience, as my Skipper has little or no interest in reserves working during the week, and would prefer us to work Friday or Saturday nights when more manpower is required, which is fair enough I suppose, as there is no point in coming in when your not needed!

bryanmurr

the reserves in our place can pick which days they work but have to work with a particular unit, is that the same for u Gilly?

i think the reserve was rushed in as a bit of a PR stunt and a way to get numbers up. i dont see a problem givin powers after a probationary period as long the lads on reserve are accountable for their actions like the rest of us.

Eru

bryanmurr wrote: »

the reserves in our place can pick which days they work but have to work with a particular unit, is that the same for u Gilly?

i think the reserve was rushed in as a bit of a PR stunt and a way to get numbers up. i dont see a problem givin powers after a probationary period as long the lads on reserve are accountable for their actions like the rest of us.

Same here, they are assigned a specific unit and must pick hours that the unit is actually working but they can make requests to switch if they need to.

Im not saying they dont work weekends just that there isnt a much higher number of reservs at the weekend than any other time except maybe 6am on a tuesday morning for example.

gilly0512

bryanmurr wrote: »

the reserves in our place can pick which days they work but have to work with a particular unit, is that the same for u Gilly?

i think the reserve was rushed in as a bit of a PR stunt and a way to get numbers up. i dont see a problem givin powers after a probationary period as long the lads on reserve are accountable for their actions like the rest of us.

Bryan,
The station I am in has only got two reserves including myself, so we are not been assigned to a particular unit until such a time that there is one reserve for each of the four units, with the result that we tend to 'float' between all of the units. While you are allowed to pick which days you want to come in, it is not the busiest station in the world, so it makes more sense for all concerned for us to come in at the weekends. I do agree that the whole Reserve concept was somewhat of a publicity stunt, and a way of getting more uniforms on the street. However since they have gone to all this trouble to set up the reserve, why don't they utilise reserves properly, by giving them sufficient powers, and making them accountable for their actions. Only then can it be seen if the Reserve is a success or not, for in its present format, it serves a very limited purpose.

Marcus.Aurelius

I must admit I remain unconvinced about the reserves, I see members babysitting them on the beat, I mean its a totally different ballgame for them and I think they seem to get in the way in our district, especially on public order work. They're described as immature, volatile and agressive and a bit stuck up. Some members are fed up to the back teeth with them.

But it could well be different in other places. I've no personal experience of working with them, I'm still plugging away in Traffic

fermoyboy

I'd be of the same opinion as Chief. I'm not a big fan of the reserves based solely on what I've seen in my station. It could be just down to the particular people themselves but I feel they are of no addition to the unit.

Our guy works every late Saturday and Saturday of nights and it's a rush for people to get out the door without being stuck with him!!

Fyr.Fytr

Uh oh *cringes*

CO19

fermoyboy wrote: »

it's a rush for people to get out the door without being stuck with him!!

That's nice to know well hopefully those that are currently in the Reserves that will be intending on going full time won't have the same attitude as that and will remember what it was like for them before becoming a full timer and the more reserves that go full time and that will be in stations with reserves attached to them the better it'll be for reserves especially the young one's starting out as they'll be with people who have time for them.

CO19

Chief Admiral wrote: »

They're described as immature and agressive and a bit stuck up.

Same can be said for full timers

deadwood

Just interested, do all reservists intend to join the Gardai as a full-time member?

I realise potental applicants will want some insight before they commit to saying "veh-hickle" for 30 years but I thought the idea behind the Reserve was to involve people, who would have little or nothing to do with AGS, that wanted to give something back to their community.

Has it come to a stage where potential applicants will be asked in interview why they haven't joined the Reserve?

CO19

deadwood wrote: »

Just interested, do all reservists intend to join the Gardai as a full-time member?

No I wouldn't say all of them do but most of the younger ones like myself (I'm 20) would more than likely intend on going full time at some point,well that's what I'll be doing anyway .

deadwood wrote: »

I realise potental applicants will want some insight before they commit to saying "veh-hickle" for 30 years but I thought the idea behind the Reserve was to involve people, who would have little or nothing to do with AGS, that wanted to give something back to their community.

Most of those that intend on joining full time do go into the reserves to get exactly what you said...insight into the workings of it but with attitudes that some full timers have towards the reserves can do more damage than good to them especially if they want to join full time.

The idea of the reserves is to involve people so that they too can police their communities along with the full time force also, so therefore they are part of the force.
They are giving something back to their community by policing it by giving their free time to do it

deadwood

CO19 wrote: »

No I wouldn't say all of them do but most of the younger ones like myself (I'm 20) would more than likely intend on going full time at some point,well that's what I'll be doing anyway .



Most of those that intend on joining full time do go into the reserves to get exactly what you said...insight into the workings of it but with attitudes that some full timers have towards the reserves can do more damage than good to them especially if they want to join full time.

The idea of the reserves is to involve people so that they too can police their communities along with the full time force also, so therefore they are part of the force.
They are giving something back to their community by policing it by giving their free time to do it

Good on ye. Good reply. Don't let full tie members get to you. We moan a lot about our job, the dangers, hours etc..and when someone volunteers to do it for free, well......;)

fermoyboy

deadwood wrote: »

Don't let full tie members get to you.

You're making it out like all Gardai bully the reserves!!!!

SOme of the younger people that join the reserves may well be decent skins that will join the job eventually and be an addition.

It's the older guys signing up for the reserves, the guys that never made the cut etc to join full time, that are the ones giving people bad impressions of the reserves.

We've got two of those in our station and the two guys in question are no addition whatsoever!!

May be different in other areas but frm my personal experience of them then then it's not working!

CO19

So does that mean you see all reserves as useless etc etc ? cause of the two where you are .
Reserves are an addition to the force as it is if they're used properly within the station they're in and also they themselves have to be into doing what they're doing and not just looking to wear the uniform otherwise yes they can be useless but it's different for each individual reserve with regards how they choose to carry out their role

Mountain Man

fermoyboy wrote: »

You're making it out like all Gardai bully the reserves!!!!

SOme of the younger people that join the reserves may well be decent skins that will join the job eventually and be an addition.

It's the older guys signing up for the reserves, the guys that never made the cut etc to join full time, that are the ones giving people bad impressions of the reserves.

We've got two of those in our station and the two guys in question are no addition whatsoever!!

May be different in other areas but frm my personal experience of them then then it's not working!

I have to agree with CO19 on this one. I'm one of these 'older guys' about to start GR training shortly. I believe I can bring alot of my own life experiences, 40+ years, to the GS. I've worked abroad for many years and have done varied and tough jobs in my time.

I have over 10 years service with Mountain Rescue, where I meet your colleagues on most occasions when we are called out, by the way, we are actually tasked by GS, and we work very well together and continue to do so.

I've coached a soccer team for the last 6 years, some of these kids have been with me since thet were 7. I'm very fit for my age, do a martial art and therefore can look after myself.

This is not I'm a great lad eulogy, I just can't understand your comment that your 2 GR's are of no addition. Surely, even if they released 2 full time GS in the station to go on patrol, that would be of some benefit. How are they giving bad impressions of the GR? Do the full timers put them straight if they do get out of line?

Regards,

An ould lad.

deadwood

fermoyboy wrote: »

You're making it out like all Gardai bully the reserves!!!!

Certainly not, fermoy boy.
Maybe I should have said "don't let any full time members get to you."
If there is some ill-feeling there, I suspect it is fear of the unknown.
Members used to regard students with suspicion too but I don't think that's the case now.
Lets give them time - the Reserve is here to stay.

fermoyboy

CO19 wrote: »

So does that mean you see all reserves as useless etc etc ? cause of the two where you are .

The two where I am, the others in the district and the opinions of other Gardai I've spoke too...give me the opinion I have of the reserves!!!