When can Regional Support Units be armed?

Voodoomelon

Hope this doesn't sound like i'm stirring things up, this is a genuine question.

A friend recently stood beside an RSU Garda in line at a garage ATM in Dundalk recently, who had his MP7 slung over his shoulder. The friend, being in the army, asked if he was on a call and he said no.

My understanding was all weapons carried by the RSU vehicles were to be locked away unless required, is this not the case?

bravestar

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Hope this doesn't sound like i'm stirring things up, this is a genuine question.

A friend recently stood beside an RSU Garda in line at a garage ATM in Dundalk recently, who had his MP7 slung over his shoulder. The friend, being in the army, asked if he was on a call and he said no.

My understanding was all weapons carried by the RSU vehicles were to be locked away unless required, is this not the case?

Why would your friend even ask if he was on a call while waiting in line at an ATM???

And as for your main question, your not going to get an answer to that. Opsec.

Markcheese

I'm not qualified to answer, but reasonably sure weapons are supposed to be in a locker in vehicle and officers are supposed to be in a different uniform when armed (so as not to be mistaken for regular unarmed Gardai) ...
But who knows the exact circumstances except the officer involved ..

Markcheese

Markcheese wrote: »

I'm not qualified to answer,

that's where your post should have stopped.

Markcheese

[Deleted User] wrote: »

that's where your post should have stopped.

Thanks ,and you're qualified to say that because.... ??

carzony

Markcheese wrote: »

Thanks ,and you're qualified to say that because.... ??

He's a member

goldie fish

There is a large increase lately in people on this site asking questions about things that are not of their concern. The OP is one of those things.

The answer, or lack thereof will have no impact on your life whatsoever.

In short, it's none of your business. Move on.

The Soldier who asked the RSU member the initial question should ask him/herself. What would be their reaction if, when on CIT, a member of the public asked him whether his weapon was loaded or not....

Leo Demidov

Seems to me that the majority of topics in the emergency services forum are nobodys business but are of interest to people. The motive behind their particular interest might be questionable in certain circumstances but if something is out of bounds, tell them so and if necessary report the post and leave the high horses at home.

WIZE

So is he allowed carry a gun when not he is not on call?

shakin

RSU’s will patrol as regular uniform Gardaí performing the normal policing functions on a daily basis throughout the Region. When an RSU is deployed to a critical incident they will change to tactical uniform and will have access to firearms. Both the tactical gear and modifications to their vehicle (including signage and lighting) when in response mode are such as to ensure that they are clearly identifiable and distinguishable from regular officers.


From the garda website, so not compromising operational security.

http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=9253

donvito99

Is it not in the public domain already that RSU - in some areas - patrol armed?

lighterman

Excellent post

wexfjord wrote: »

Seems to me that the majority of topics in the emergency services forum are nobodys business but are of interest to people. The motive behind their particular interest might be questionable in certain circumstances but if something is out of bounds, tell them so and if necessary report the post and leave the high horses at home.

Its the emergency services.People are going to have interest regardless of what is going on.If there is a squad parked up on the side of the road people slow down and have a look.its human nature

I thought i read somewhere that they were full time armed now or there was plans for this to happen

Zambia

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Hope this doesn't sound like i'm stirring things up, this is a genuine question.

A friend recently stood beside an RSU Garda in line at a garage ATM in Dundalk recently, who had his MP7 slung over his shoulder. The friend, being in the army, asked if he was on a call and he said no.

My understanding was all weapons carried by the RSU vehicles were to be locked away unless required, is this not the case?

Maybe just give the member the benefit of the doubt. They knew why they had the weapon out of the box.

kub

shakin wrote: »

RSU’s will patrol as regular uniform Gardaí performing the normal policing functions on a daily basis throughout the Region. When an RSU is deployed to a critical incident they will change to tactical uniform and will have access to firearms. Both the tactical gear and modifications to their vehicle (including signage and lighting) when in response mode are such as to ensure that they are clearly identifiable and distinguishable from regular officers.


From the garda website, so not compromising operational security.

http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=9253

There is not a day that goes by that i do not see an RSU vehicle, I have yet to see the members in those vehicles wearing the same uniform as the lads in my local regular patrol car.

carzony

kub wrote: »

There is not a day that goes by that i do not see an RSU vehicle, I have yet to see the members in those vehicles wearing the same uniform as the lads in my local regular patrol car.

I have seen them in regular uniforms plenty of times.. I always wondered what thye would be doing when theres no trouble about.. Now I know

POGAN

kub wrote: »

There is not a day that goes by that i do not see an RSU vehicle, I have yet to see the members in those vehicles wearing the same uniform as the lads in my local regular patrol car.

Commissioner said he wants to armed all the time with increase in armed crime but must units are armed all the time, there none of this changing business at the side of the road.

Voodoomelon

Interesting replies, didn't realise it had to be me business for me to be able to ask a question. I can understand some things are left unanswered in regards some emergency services, but i had no "motives" as to why I asked, I simply wanted to know.

bravestar

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Interesting replies, didn't realise it had to be me business for me to be able to ask a question. I can understand some things are left unanswered in regards some emergency services, but i had no "motives" as to why I asked, I simply wanted to know.

You are entitled to ask anything you want, just don't always expect an answer.

Turner

I think the whole idea of them being locked away until "needed" was a softy softly approach to keep the public happy about our uniform police force being armed.

Even though one third of the force is armed the firearms have always been kept out of sight by detectives using blazers, shirts, jackets and hoodys etc to cover them.

The idea of locking any firearm away and putting it out of immediate access is absolutely ridiculous and defeats the whole purpose in my opinion.

Terrontress

Turner wrote: »

I think the whole idea of them being locked away until "needed" was a softy softly approach to keep the public happy about our uniform police force being armed.

Even though one third of the force is armed the firearms have always been kept out of sight by detectives using blazers, shirts, jackets and hoodys etc to cover them.

The idea of locking any firearm away and putting it out of immediate access is absolutely ridiculous and defeats the whole purpose in my opinion.

As long as authorisation to arm can be requested and given in <10 seconds then I don't see much problem.

Obviously if a Garda thinks it's life and death, they'll use whatever is at hand, same as any individual.

Voodoomelon

Turner wrote: »

The idea of locking any firearm away and putting it out of immediate access is absolutely ridiculous and defeats the whole purpose in my opinion.

I couldn't agree more, part of the reason i asked. Every weapon should be immediately to hand with a round chambered. Good and constant training should overcome all safety concerns.

rovoagho

goldie fish wrote: »

There is a large increase lately in people on this site asking questions about things that are not of their concern.

It's not the Secret Service he's asking about, it's our public-facing police force. Our police force, that we pay for; including the guns.


"Opsec", honest to god. Buzzword masturbation.

bravestar

rovoagho wrote: »

It's not the Secret Service he's asking about, it's our public-facing police force. Our police force, that we pay for; including the guns

And..?

Zambia

rovoagho wrote: »

It's not the Secret Service he's asking about, it's our public-facing police force. Our police force, that we pay for; including the guns.


"Opsec", honest to god. Buzzword masturbation.

It's a bit like a complete stranger asking you what time you turn your alarm on a night.

Rawhead

bravestar wrote: »

Why would your friend even ask if he was on a call while waiting in line at an ATM???

And as for your main question, your not going to get an answer to that. Opsec.

Muhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah, too much Call of Duty.

bravestar

Rawhead wrote: »

Muhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah, too much Call of Duty.

Actually it's just shorter than writing that something can't be given out for operational security reasons. Welcome to the real world, where art sometimes imitates life.

Leo Demidov

I always wanted to know what OPSEC stood for but nobody would tell me.

Rawhead

bravestar wrote: »

Actually it's just shorter than writing that something can't be given out for operational security reasons. Welcome to the real world, where art sometimes imitates life.

Actually it sounds like a lad answering a question about something as simple as a policeman carrying a gun trying to make out that the poster asked for the identity of the person who shot Bin Laden.

jimmycrackcorm

goldie fish wrote: »

There is a large increase lately in people on this site asking questions about things that are not of their concern. The OP is one of those things.

The answer, or lack thereof will have no impact on your life whatsoever.

In short, it's none of your business. Move on.

The Soldier who asked the RSU member the initial question should ask him/herself. What would be their reaction if, when on CIT, a member of the public asked him whether his weapon was loaded or not....

I think it is very valid to ask why a garda is standing in line for an ATM with an mp7 over his shoulder.

It does have an impact on peoples lives - do we have to question how safe we are that guards have to arm themselves to go to an ATM?

Zambia

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

I think it is very valid to ask why a garda is standing in line for an ATM with an mp7 over his shoulder.

It does have an impact on peoples lives - do we have to question how safe we are that guards have to arm themselves to go to an ATM?

They wanted to withdraw money simple as that.

It has no impact on people's lives question it all you want.

Every day coppers here walk around buying coffee, lunch etc all armed and no one cares. Melbourne is pretty safe city.

rovoagho

That would be very relevant if we weren't talking about a completely different country and police force, and whether or not they were armed. But our police force is, ostensibly, unarmed, and the discussion isn't about that. And they're not in Melbourne. All good things IMHO. Be tricky if they were in Melbourne. Call out times'd mad.