New hi-tech garda kit

metman

New hi-tech garda uniforms with body armour to cost €12.7m

The garda wardrobe is to be extended at a cost more than €12m, as the force prepares for a major makeover. Gardai are to be provided with a new range of safety gear, including state-of-the-art body armour and stab vests as they up their efforts to stamp out violent crime. A massive contract has been awarded to a Monaghan company who will now be charged with dressing the entire force for the next three years. Included in the new attire will be a fashionable new uniform, ballistic equipment and public order equipment. The contact, which was advertised by the Government Supplyies Agency, is worth €12.69m to James Boylan Safety Ltd. The company, which operates from five office and warehouse bases around the country, will supply clothing until the end of 2011.

The firm already hold the contracts for other high profile customers including the Defence Forces. Listed among the items are a “new look” uniform, including tunics, polo-shirts, T-shirts, rainsuits, shirts and trousers. A new range of helmets and anti-stab vests will also be purchased as gardai continue to face more vicious criminals. The order also includes public order coveralls and riot shields. Announcing the move, Junior Finance Minister Dr Martin Mansergh said that it was the “largest ever uniform contract”.

The last selection of uniforms cost around €5m and seven years ago it was just over €1m. The exact design of the new uniform will not be revealed until later this year, but it is expected to be visible on the streets by next summer.

Source.

Eru

Im wetting myself over the prospect of having a comfy polo shirt under the vest instead of the current short and tie!

However I will wait and see what way management make a good theory a rubbish practice.

pa990

Its baffeling that they announce a €12.7m contract the week after a €33m cut in expenditure was demanded ..


Anvil is cut, OT is cut, Station improvements is cut back.. but at least we'll have nice new caps

Geri Boyle

pa990 wrote: »

Its baffeling that they announce a €12.7m contract the week after a €33m cut in expenditure was demanded ..


Anvil is cut, OT is cut, Station improvements is cut back.. but at least we'll have nice new caps

Gardai are to be provided with a new range of safety gear, including state-of-the-art body armour and stab vests as they up their efforts to stamp out violent crime

I for one think its a very sensible way to spend funds. By the sounds of the article, the purpose of the new uniform is not to have "nice new caps" but to increase safety.

the locust

i just whizzed myself with excitement, its about time

msg11

pa990 wrote: »

Its baffeling that they announce a €12.7m contract the week after a €33m cut in expenditure was demanded ..


Anvil is cut, OT is cut, Station improvements is cut back.. but at least we'll have nice new caps

Say this contract was in the pipeline for sometime, and some binding contracts between them and the government and the sum of 12m

Fyr.Fytr

Wouldnt get your hopes up, whats the bet polo shirts will only be for specilist units like rsu's and the like. But still the uniform cant get any worse

FGR

Hate to break it to you all..but the Polo shirts and combat trousers are to be issued to units such as RSU and Scenes of Crime.

The coal face will continue to wear the current issue shirt and tie. The trousers will remain the same however a new hi vis jacket and bomber jacket will be issued.

The only difference with the bomber jacket is that the elasticity has been removed from the end of it.

EDIT: I would like to see a more practical anti stab/ballistic vest in terms of pockets/attachments.

Eru

ForegoneReality wrote: »

Hate to break it to you all..but the Polo shirts and combat trousers are to be issued to units such as RSU and Scenes of Crime.

The coal face will continue to wear the current issue shirt and tie. The trousers will remain the same however a new hi vis jacket and bomber jacket will be issued.

The only difference with the bomber jacket is that the elasticity has been removed from the end of it.
EDIT: I would like to see a more practical anti stab/ballistic vest in terms of pockets/attachments.

Why?

FGR

Karlitosway1978 wrote: »

Why?

I don't know for sure; but at least it will remove the 'belly' it gives when the jacket's zipped up.

opti76

about time im waitig since october 16th for a pair of pants and short sleeve shirt ....

good jobs its stores and not issues

TheNog

Karlitosway1978 wrote: »

Why?

Cut backs

They could probably save €5,000 annually:p

Eru

ForegoneReality wrote: »

I don't know for sure; but at least it will remove the 'belly' it gives when the jacket's zipped up.

Yeah, its the jackets fault and nothing to do with the chips and pizza

Seriously, the jackets 'belly' look is caused by the amount thats underneath it. shirt, tshirt, vest, jumper and whatever else you stuff up it too keep warm.

FGR

I agree. I cannot wear the jacket with the stab vest as it makes a member look like a clown...So it's either getting wet with protection or no protection at all..so you can guess I'm more susceptible to colds and flu!

I hope the new hi vis is still planned as being similar to the Traffic jacket as it's ideal for the vest. That way I can leave the standard jacket to other non frontline duties..which will be rare..mind..

ScubaDave

A polo shirt with the vest would be ideal though!

Also, new body armour? Will we be getting decent style of armour that can be used to carry some kit i wonder? Or am i hoping for too much!

source

ScubaDave wrote: »

A polo shirt with the vest would be ideal though!

Also, new body armour? Will we be getting decent style of armour that can be used to carry some kit i wonder? Or am i hoping for too much!

Prob hoping too much, it'll hopefully be like the style the met wear which gives way more coverage than the current issue, but i'd say we'll still be left with the one or maybe 2 small pockets, for things like notebooks.

pa990

i cant see new body armour being issued.. we only got the stuf last year.

Fyr.Fytr

Id say the whole lot is for rsu's et al, theyll be the ballistic vests that double as equipment carriers

source

metman wrote: »

. A new range of helmets and anti-stab vests will also be purchased as gardai continue to face more vicious criminals. The order also includes public order coveralls and riot shields.

from this it looks like they are, but it's the usual crap, we'll buy the cheapest until we realise they're crap then buy the next cheapest.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

FGR

There'll be many people holding their breath when this outfit's issued .

cushtac

foinse wrote: »

from this it looks like they are, but it's the usual crap, we'll buy the cheapest until we realise they're crap then buy the next cheapest.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

The Garda vests are as good as any at that level of protection, they just bought the cheapest carrier available.

Eru

cushtac wrote: »

The Garda vests are as good as any at that level of protection, they just bought the cheapest carrier available.

Protection wise I agree but the covers were the cheapest easiest option going. They arent really designed for external wear in regards how they are worn, pockets, etc.

metman

How would members feel about buying their own kit?

In New York for example the PD has 'uniform houses', licensed stores that deal badged kit to serving officers, so personnel can tailor their uniform to their own individual taste. You can wear any of the approved range of uniform, provided you pay for it. The following link gives an example of the variation in available uniform here.

Though our own kit is pretty good, I'd be happy to shell out for some additional items and it'd be nice to have the option as the NYPD have.

source

metman wrote: »

How would members feel about buying their own kit?

In New York for example the PD has 'uniform houses', licensed stores that deal badged kit to serving officers, so personnel can tailor their uniform to their own individual taste. You can wear any of the approved range of uniform, provided you pay for it. The following link gives an example of the variation in available uniform here.

Though our own kit is pretty good, I'd be happy to shell out for some additional items and it'd be nice to have the option as the NYPD have.

Speaking for myself here, i personally would, If it meant being more comfortable then i'd be willing to part with a few shekles.

The only problem is the size of the force wouldn't make it practical. NYPD have a uniformed force of about 40,000 officers, in the city. we have 14,000 in the country. i don't think there'd be enough members buying enough equipment to make it viable for there to be even 1 uniform house per division. you'd be talking 1 per region to make it anywhere near economically viable for someone to go into this business.

Eru

metman wrote: »

How would members feel about buying their own kit?

In New York for example the PD has 'uniform houses', licensed stores that deal badged kit to serving officers, so personnel can tailor their uniform to their own individual taste. You can wear any of the approved range of uniform, provided you pay for it. The following link gives an example of the variation in available uniform here.

Though our own kit is pretty good, I'd be happy to shell out for some additional items and it'd be nice to have the option as the NYPD have.

Considering a lot of Gardai shell out for extra items as it is (which is not unique to Ireland) Im betting this would be a popular method with members.

Problems being then lazy, scruffy gits would get even lazier and scruffier looking. I know guys that dont wear the vest and still walk around with the same dirty, crumpled shirts, trousers and shoes despite having at least 2 new issues since them.

Fyr.Fytr

Think boots and torches are the most common personal bought kits withing any police service.

Presume its ok within the guards to do this as i have a great pair of boots i already use for ambualnce work and the same goes for my led torch would it be ok to use them when i get in?


On karls point one thing that always gets me is the amount of guards who seem to have an allergy to shoe polish, boots scuffed to bits and more a washed out grey rather then black. Now i know i know im not expecting a mirror shine, but a decent polish looks very well and yes i do understand they do get scuffed on duty, but polishing them takes 5mins before duty

vasch_ro

the locust wrote: »

i just whizzed myself with excitement, its about time

hopefully not on your current uniform ...

eroo

If the Govt. are spending this much on uniforms,where are they going to implement their cutbacks . . recruitment;vehicles;or maybe they'll cut back on hiring civilians to take up desk jobs?