Garda wearing tactical vest in Slane Castle

North Face

I have protected this members identity by editing this picture. Seen this picture on the internet and was wondering if the vest is on trial or more likely a private purchase.

I am aware that the Airport Police Service in Dublin wear a similar Tactical Vest since early 2007 but didnt know Gardai where also now wearing them (with the exception of ERU/RSU etc..)

hairy sailor

not sure but think it's a stab vest which are pretty common now

Zambia

Does anyone have Trinny and Susannahs number handy?

As the uniform is, I think the navy stab vest with Garda written on it is a good look for our boys in blue.

I do think a radical overhaul of the uniform is needed though, to be more UK-ish. Have never seen a Garda wearing a jacket like the above (with aforementioned exceptions).

Bosh

Dog handlers and some other support services have them. They are not on general issue.

Bosh

Bosh wrote: »

Dog handlers and some other support services have them. They are not on general issue.

Thank god. They look shít.

CaseyRyback

^ Looks rubbish.

If AGS is looking for a replacement, Arktis do good kit:

CaseyRyback

CaseyRyback wrote: »

^ Looks rubbish.

If AGS is looking for a replacement, Arktis do good kit:

The problem with them if they ever get introduced here is that they will have to be worn over the hi-viz jackets which somebody thinks it's a good idea to have us wearing all day. Now, if they were to give us hi-viz kits then that may look better.

Zambia

foreign wrote: »

The problem with them if they ever get introduced here is that they will have to be worn over the hi-viz jackets which somebody thinks it's a good idea to have us wearing all day. Now, if they were to give us hi-viz kits then that may look better.

Ah that has been thought of vest come with Hi Vis Covers

Zambia

Zambia wrote: »

Ah that has been thought of vest come with Hi Vis Covers

Thats a stab vest though, not an equipment rig.

Zambia

My bad.

CaseyRyback

BrianD

KKV wrote:

I do think a radical overhaul of the uniform is needed though, to be more UK-ish. Have never seen a Garda wearing a jacket like the above (with aforementioned exceptions).

I would wholeheartedly agree. Good uniform design helps to project authority. The current AGS uniform and accessories is more 'Postman' than 'Policeman'. It doesn't project authority.

In my view, the addition of the stab proof vests immediately enhanced the appearance of AGS members when on the streets. The worst element of the uniform is that hi-viz jacket (i'm sure it's practical).

BrianD

BrianD wrote: »

I would wholeheartedly agree. Good uniform design helps to project authority. The current AGS uniform and accessories is more 'Postman' than 'Policeman'. It doesn't project authority.

In my view, the addition of the stab proof vests immediately enhanced the appearance of AGS members when on the streets. The worst element of the uniform is that hi-viz jacket (i'm sure it's practical).

I would be more inclined to say the person wearing the uniform projects the authority.

And as for the Hi-Viz, it's not really practical.

Bosh

The powers that be like the Hi-viz as it gives the impression that there are actually feet on the street, notwithstanding that it is impractical, uncomfortable and gives the majority of wearers the profile of a sack of spuds

God be with the days that members were issued with a roll of material, went to a tailor and had a bespoke uniform made.

Showing my age now!!! :eek:

Delancey

When did that practice cease - must have meant for very well turned-out Guards ?

Bosh

Around '86-87....

Oh God, where's me Complan

It was the heavy 'Bulls Wool' with the silver buttons, dated and impractical even then, but it look well because it was tailored to fit and was made from good quality hard wearing cloth.

sdanseo

If good-looking uniforms project authority then tac vests should never be considered. I think they look ridiculous. I know they help spread the load but words can't express how silly and untidy I think they appear.

The current Garda Uniform, without hi-vis, looks really well I think, the patrol jacket needs changing as it's the one thing that looks a bit cheap.

Gardaí in general that I see wear their duty belt hugely untidily when they have the Hi-vis on. It should be turned up at waist level or re-issued as a bomber-style jacket...having a highvis flapping down to the knees wiht half the gear ****ed on over it and half worn under it just looks plain sloppy. All the gear should then be on display on the belt outside the jacket...again, projecting authority.

Hi-vis should also be completely abandoned except for public order duties during the day. It's not exactly hard to identify a guard in borad daylight with the blue shirt, stab vest and hat.

North Face

CaseyRyback wrote: »

^ Looks rubbish.

If AGS is looking for a replacement, Arktis do good kit:

Thats the same vest Airport Police are issued in Dublin if I remember correctly.. Found these pics on the interweb pity jedwards in them!

Blurred pics not to compromise OPSEC

CaseyRyback

Thanks for the pics. I hadn't realised the Joeys had completely revamped their uniform. Interesting direction they've taken adopting a UK pattern uniform. I'm led to believe they've had some form of co-operation with British Transport Police?

BrianD

Bosh wrote: »

The powers that be like the Hi-viz as it gives the impression that there are actually feet on the street, notwithstanding that it is impractical, uncomfortable and gives the majority of wearers the profile of a sack of spuds

I would agree. Would other forces wear hi-viz routinely? I know that there's no "trademark" on it but I have seen other people wear very similar hi-viz coats to AGS. It really should be only used for very specific duties.

I would be more inclined to say the person wearing the uniform projects the authority.

Could not disagree more. The uniform is for a purpose - to differentiate and make a statement. What you wear projects authority and it applies across all walks of life.

I think that styling of the uniforms that they use for the cycle cops (pedal and motorised) and other specialist "divisions" are better designed and project and more authoritive image.

On the other hand, the tac vests are taking the more military or paramilitary approach and I think there's a balance to be struck.

MagicSean

The bicycle jacket is quite useful. Doubles as a stab vest too so it isn't as warm and stuffy. It also allows for the sleeves to be removed for the warm days. And it comes with combats, and I think the lower leg can be detached for cycling.

Muas Tenek

Bosh wrote: »

Around '86-87....

Oh God, where's me Complan

It was the heavy 'Bulls Wool' with the silver buttons, dated and impractical even then, but it look well because it was tailored to fit and was made from good quality hard wearing cloth.

Ha ha I remember that guy in Capel Street
OH oh showing my age too any of that Complan left.

scooby2791

It just doesn't look right over such a large hi-vis jacket. They need something neater. Those oversized jackets seem very unpractical at times.

Manic Moran

It is important to note that just because you are wearing a vest, it is not mandatory for it to be the outermost garment if its primary purpose is protection. Which, I would have thought to be the point: Surely police cannot be so heavily equipped that they need the extra real estate that won't fit on a duty belt? I would routinely wear a jacket over by body armour, it just made me look a little bulkier (and I like to think meaner). Stab plates are routinely worn by USian cops under short sleeve shirts.

NTM

Rialtas

BrianD wrote: »

I would agree. Would other forces wear hi-viz routinely? I know that there's no "trademark" on it but I have seen other people wear very similar hi-viz coats to AGS. It really should be only used for very specific duties.



Could not disagree more. The uniform is for a purpose - to differentiate and make a statement. What you wear projects authority and it applies across all walks of life.

I think that styling of the uniforms that they use for the cycle cops (pedal and motorised) and other specialist "divisions" are better designed and project and more authoritive image.

On the other hand, the tac vests are taking the more military or paramilitary approach and I think there's a balance to be struck.

There's more to AGS than public order and "specialist" roles. The current uniform conveys the appropriate amount of authority without alienating anyone. Aspects of the uniform can be tweaked to make it more practical, but the general style of blue shirt and navy pants should remain.

Anyway, combats and a polo shirt is hardly smart looking. I'd much prefer to deal with a Garda in a conventional uniform rather than someone kitted out in specialist gear. Not everyone the Gardai deal with on a daily basis is out to do damage.

BrianD

Rialtas wrote: »

There's more to AGS than public order and "specialist" roles. The current uniform conveys the appropriate amount of authority without alienating anyone. Aspects of the uniform can be tweaked to make it more practical, but the general style of blue shirt and navy pants should remain.

Anyway, combats and a polo shirt is hardly smart looking. I'd much prefer to deal with a Garda in a conventional uniform rather than someone kitted out in specialist gear. Not everyone the Gardai deal with on a daily basis is out to do damage.

I am aware of that and I wouldn't advocate going down the "military style" route. It's just that some of the newer uniforms for the specialist convey a more police-like and authoritive look.

When I'm abroad the police presence is more comanding both in appearance and presence. Certainly, a uniform doesn't make crime and the scumbags vanish but there's a lot of conveyed by it that I don't think that should be underestimated. The standard AGS uniform, in my view, lacks that authority - more postman than policeman in style as I stated earlier

MagicSean

Manic Moran wrote: »

It is important to note that just because you are wearing a vest, it is not mandatory for it to be the outermost garment if its primary purpose is protection. Which, I would have thought to be the point: Surely police cannot be so heavily equipped that they need the extra real estate that won't fit on a duty belt? I would routinely wear a jacket over by body armour, it just made me look a little bulkier (and I like to think meaner). Stab plates are routinely worn by USian cops under short sleeve shirts.

NTM

I find things easier and less awkward when attached to the vest than when they are attached to your waist.

Locust

I agree there has to be a balance between practical and smart. The balance is there by wearing the right clothes for the right jobs.

-- Practical gear for practical work - i.e. public order drunks/fights, searches of premises, night work (a night shift uniform? Personally when i was on the regular i hated wearing reflective gear when trying to sneak up on criminals! And those blue shirts stick out like a sore thumb in green foilage!). A tactical vest would go a long way and the weight is better distributed and doesn't dig into you when your sitting!

-- Smarter apparel for smarter duties - i.e. station duties (shirt & tie), court, parades/ceremonies... (not much need for vest or tactical pants/vest in station)

The uniform can definitely enhance or subtract authority, its important to have something that 'looks' the part. The stab vest did a lot for the look, it portrays that image of a person who puts himself in harms way, a guardian if you like. At the same time though, like anything if the person wearing it is acting like an eejit or leaning agains a wall with his hands in his pockets it doesn't help much.

999nobody

Locust wrote: »

I agree there has to be a balance between practical and smart. The balance is there by wearing the right clothes for the right jobs.

-- Practical gear for practical work - i.e. public order drunks/fights, searches of premises, night work (a night shift uniform? Personally when i was on the regular i hated wearing reflective gear when trying to sneak up on criminals! And those blue shirts stick out like a sore thumb in green foilage!). A tactical vest would go a long way and the weight is better distributed and doesn't dig into you when your sitting!

-- Smarter apparel for smarter duties - i.e. station duties (shirt & tie), court, parades/ceremonies... (not much need for vest or tactical pants/vest in station)

The uniform can definitely enhance or subtract authority, its important to have something that 'looks' the part. The stab vest did a lot for the look, it portrays that image of a person who puts himself in harms way, a guardian if you like. At the same time though, like anything if the person wearing it is acting like an eejit or leaning agains a wall with his hands in his pockets it doesn't help much.

Gardai don't get attacked in the station or court ????

999nobody

999nobody wrote: »

Gardai don't get attacked in the station or court ????

How often do you see a garda in court wearing the battle dress? Or at the public counter for that matter.

In my opinion, the current uniform should be kept for court / station duties and the combats & polo shirt for patrolling.