Age Discrimination

gilly0512

I see in today's Irish Times that there is presently a case before the Equality Authority, in which three people who applied to join the Gardai were refused on age grounds. This case before the Equality Authority is been challenged by the Commissioner, so it will be interesting to see the outcome of this case. Metman I do believe that there is no age barrier to joining the Met or most UK forces, what is your experience of older recruits (say people in their 40s), and what do our own Gardai or non-Gardai think of no age limits for the Gardai?http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0130/1232923375105.html

metman

Yep the Police here can't discriminate on age grounds but realistically the Force looks at what service you can give and makes an assessment based on this.

I've worked with some older recruits, some of whom joined after having substantial careers in the Prison Service and Armed Forces. Most have adapted without any issue and brought excellent skills and experience with them to the Police. However I know a girl who's at training school at the minute and is finding it difficult being the oldest on her intake. She gets a hard time from some of her classmates apparently....and she's only 34!

IMO so long as people are fit and capable of doing the job I don't care what age they are. To be honest when two 30something+ coppers turn up to a job you sometimes get a better reception, than when two 20 year olds turn out....I've seen it so many times, young scrotes mouthing off at young (or even younger) cops, or the 'fcuk off sonny, send a real copper' comment from older offenders....it can also be difficult for some victims to take very young officers seriously.....

Swings and roundabouts really, but a bit of life experience is a definite must.

TheNog

Metman
Is there any cap on the age limit in England?

Personally I feel the age limit should be increased say to 40 or there abouts with the minimum age requirement should be about 23

metman

There is no upper age limit on paper.....however its unlikely you'd be accepted much beyond 45 I'd suggest.

Agree with you about the minimum age. From time to time you do get more mature people aged 18, 19....but its the exception to the rule.

eroo

Speaking as someone who wants to join the Gardai, I must disagree with Nog and Metman.

The upper age limit should be kept the way it is imo, because if someone aged 38-40 joins then they wont have as long a career as someone aged 18-20. That means numbers in AGS would decrease much quicker over time than they would if Gardai joined at a younger age and ended up with 30+ year careers. If a 20y/o joins, he/she could possibly have a career that lasts 40 years. That person would then have a mass of experience in policing, whereas a 40y/o joining may only get 20 years in(still substantial obviously!).

Regarding the lower age limit, I think it is fair to say most 18/19 year olds aren't exactly mature. But I also know of people in their 30's who I wouldn't let run a bath, let alone become a Garda and have the responsibilities that that entails. You can't judge a person's ability and maturity by their age imo.

TheNog

Thats a good point about the experience