Benefits of being a Garda

TravisLogan123 · 18-03-2021 10:09am #1

hi all, have been sifting through the pages of forums here as i am hoping to go for a career with the Guards, hopefully a new recruitment drive isnt to far away in the horizon.
im just wondering, what are some benefits of being a Garda? aside from the known, competitive wage and state pension, is their any other really good benefits? apart from skipping the que in coppers at the weekend

Itainire · 18-03-2021 12:33pm

TravisLogan123 wrote: »

hi all, have been sifting through the pages of forums here as i am hoping to go for a career with the Guards, hopefully a new recruitment drive isnt to far away in the horizon.
im just wondering, what are some benefits of being a Garda? aside from the known, competitive wage and state pension, is their any other really good benefits? apart from skipping the que in coppers at the weekend

I wonder when next recruitment will be.. I will apply aswell.
Personally I do think that working shifts 4 days on 4 days on is a also a bonus.. I understand most people dislike shifts working but that would be ideal for me.

banjoh_10 · 18-03-2021 1:14pm

Itainire wrote: »

I wonder when next recruitment will be.. I will apply aswell.
Personally I do think that working shifts 4 days on 4 days on is a also a bonus.. I understand most people dislike shifts working but that would be ideal for me.

That shift pattern is not necessarily going to stay in place.

TravisLogan123 · 18-03-2021 2:02pm

Thanks for the many replies , some interesting insights , is the shift pattern meant to change from 4 on 4 off ?

18-03-2021 2:05pm

TravisLogan123 wrote: »

Thanks for the many replies , some interesting insights , is the shift pattern meant to change from 4 on 4 off ?

That is an emergency pattern for the Covid situation.

I believe the standard, to which they are likely to return, is 6 (10 hour shifts) on, 4 days off.

Shield · 18-03-2021 3:00pm

Mod:

Oranage2 will not be posting in this forum again. Thanks for the reports.

Shield.

thegills · 18-03-2021 4:34pm

Not a Garda myself but know a few. Flexible hours to pursue sports; lots of GAA players are Garda. Potential to earn overtime; highest paid Garda are beat Garda. Good training; especially technology if thats your preference. Also can you get access to the pension way before a private worker employer. I've heard of Garda retiring at say 55 with a decent pension.

HalfBlues · 19-03-2021 11:03pm

Dohvolle wrote: »

Yes and no.
A person at the rank of Garda MUST retire on their 56th birthday. If you choose to remain in fulltime employment at that stage (many think 55 is a bit young to retire from the workforce) your pension is considered income, so anything you earn in your new job goes to the taxman. Some enter the civil service at this stage as current mandatory retirement age is 69. I Was on phase 1 in 1995 when a neighbour was on the pre retirement course. He's as active now as he was then.
The flexible hours to pursue sports is common during training but afterwards depends on 2 things (a) are you any good at it (b) does local supervisor like you.
Potential to earn overtime depends on your station. Also, see (b) above.
I didn't see any overtime in my station and we were in the midst of a gangland war and the murder of a garda. It was only when I went to the border that I joined the gravy train (BSE outbeak).

Retirement age is 60 now for garda rank.
Lots of perks but my favourite is watching everyone file into offices for a dull 9 to 5 while you are having the crack with your colleagues.
Overtime is mostly in the city centres.
You will see things most people won't.
Also the autonomy is fab.

Really hope a return to 6 and 4 is not on the cards.

Johnmurphy321 · 19-03-2021 11:11pm

HalfBlues wrote: »

Retirement age is 60 now for garda rank.
Lots of perks but my favourite is watching everyone file into offices for a dull 9 to 5 while you are having the crack with your colleagues.
Overtime is mostly in the city centres.
You will see things most people won't.
Also the autonomy is fab.

Really hope a return to 6 and 4 is not on the cards.

Can you request where you would like to be stationed?

HalfBlues · 19-03-2021 11:15pm

Johnmurphy321 wrote: »

Can you request where you would like to be stationed?

You can put in an expression of interest for an area you would like but not specifically a station.

Johnmurphy321 · 19-03-2021 11:20pm

HalfBlues wrote: »

You can put in an expression of interest for an area you would like but not specifically a station.

How would I go about doing that, is there someone you need to email about it? And do you know what it’s like to work in Dublin?

TravisLogan123 · 20-03-2021 11:45am

Johnmurphy321 wrote: »

How would I go about doing that, is there someone you need to email about it? And do you know what it’s like to work in Dublin?

You do it when you get to college I presume ?

endacl · 20-03-2021 1:34pm

I believe you get a free hat?

Infernal Racket · 20-03-2021 2:13pm

If you join the Guards your working life will seldom be boring amd always changing. Depending on your interests there is almost always a suitable unit that you can work towards I.e riding motorcycles, carrying weapons, working with animals etc etc.

TravisLogan123 · 20-03-2021 4:19pm

Dohvolle wrote: »

It's not free.
You get more than one.
It's a pain in the whole to wear. It's a relic of the past. Better off with a bump cap like customs wear.

When you say it’s not free , do you mean you pay for a new uniform yearly or something ? Or how does it work actually ?

AndrewJRenko · 20-03-2021 4:27pm

Dohvolle wrote: »

It's a pain in the whole to wear. .

I think you might be wearing it wrong.

20-03-2021 6:28pm

Without wishing to derail the thread at all, for those of you speaking from direct experience (we'll leave it at that). Are there any aspects of the job you wish you knew before joining, that would give you pause if doing so again?

20-03-2021 7:03pm

Dohvolle wrote: »

I hate to hijack a thread, I hope others would join in too, but the biggest shock for me was realising I was a terrible judge of character when it came to the people I considered friends.
While I wore the uniform I was very popular with some recently found friends (and some long term friends too). Once I finished up, and remained in that town, almost as soon as I took the uniform off for the last time, I was no longer of any use to these people. At the same time, after leaving, I ended up working with some of the finest people I have ever met, who had I stayed, I would not have become friends with (due to their background etc).
2 things happen. It is no different in any police force.
1. Some of your older friends will put distance between you and them, because they think you will always be watching them, waiting to catch them doing something illegal.
2. Others will gravitate towards you because of the job, and the perception that when they get in trouble, they can call on you to bail them out.

I never for once saw that coming.

Thanks for the insight, much appreciated.

Trying to go into things as prepared as one possibly can be.

Joe4321 · 20-03-2021 7:13pm

Plenty of overtime if you want, early retirement

20-03-2021 7:18pm

Yea, I have to second the above, I wasn't ready for the change in people's attitude towards me. And always being introduced by your occupation. That is annoying, I'm well used to it after 23 years, but it is annoying.
Now, it wouldn't put me off joining, but something to be aware of.

20-03-2021 7:30pm

Funnily enough, everybody I care about is sick of hearing me rabbit on about joining. So of the potential downsides, that particular one doesnt bother me at all.

Are there other aspects of the job that you guys didn't enjoy? Aside from the obvious negative aspects of policing I spose.

20-03-2021 8:34pm

It's a different job now than it was 24 years ago. I believe there are different conditions now, contracts and the like? Not much help with that I'm afraid.

It's very easy to become disillusioned, particularly if it's a job that you have always wanted to do. You have great ideas when you start, but they change as time goes on.
It's also very easy to get complacent, or occasionally bitter. You will meet very lazy colleagues, but they are disillusioned too.

That makes it sound terrible, it's not, it is a good job and there are many many opportunities within for lots of different career paths.

I would always advise anyone who is thinking about joining to get a trade or some college, get a qualification first, see the world & get some life experience. Then join, you will be more of an asset and far more capable, imo.

20-03-2021 8:53pm

Thanks for the replies lads, is there specific things you think result in becoming disillusioned or complacent with the job?

I think I'd have a pretty reasoned outlook on the role at this point, would be under no illusions about the failings of the justice system etc, curious about what caused it for you, if that happened.

Infernal Racket · 21-03-2021 2:17pm

Zux wrote: »

Thanks for the replies lads, is there specific things you think result in becoming disillusioned or complacent with the job?

I think I'd have a pretty reasoned outlook on the role at this point, would be under no illusions about the failings of the justice system etc, curious about what caused it for you, if that happened.

Biggest cause for disillusion is probably senior management having absolutely no idea about what's happening on the ground yet pretending they do and also the court system. You could spend weeks, months or sometimes years working on an investigation only to see a judge hand out a paltry conviction because the defendent hired or probably got a free solicitor and barrister who told a very good sob story which, in the vast majority of times works a charm on the disconnected from reality judge.

21-03-2021 4:30pm

Infernal Racket wrote: »

Biggest cause for disillusion is probably senior management having absolutely no idea about what's happening on the ground yet pretending they do and also the court system. You could spend weeks, months or sometimes years working on an investigation only to see a judge hand out a paltry conviction because the defendent hired or probably got a free solicitor and barrister who told a very good sob story which, in the vast majority of times works a charm on the disconnected from reality judge.

Makes total sense, I have a legal background so can appreciate the realities of what goes on. I have heard the same thing from every member I spoke with, so its good to prepare myself for ahead of time.

As for higher management not understanding the realities of those on the ground, that seems to be inevitable in most industries and jobs it seems.

Thanks for the response !

Loveinapril · 21-03-2021 4:55pm

I am not a garda but often deal with them in my social care job. I know a few people who studied social care, worked in the area for a few years then became excellent Gardaí because of the compassion they had for the most vulnerable in society. If you are thinking of studying anything before joining, social care would b3 a good one. You would get a deeper knowledge into addiction, homelessness, at risk families, travelling community and other issues that you would face on a daily basis as a Garda.

lg.cardonha · 21-03-2021 10:04pm

How can a Garda join the Europol? I heard the Europol headquarters is the Phoenix Park. Does anyone know someone how has joined it?

SouthWesterly · 21-03-2021 10:37pm

I deal with guards frequently
The amount of people who tell me they are going through a divorce is scarey. Seems to be a big problem with the job

Add to that the amount of people dealing with serious personal injuries.

Not a job I'd recommend to anyone.

21-03-2021 10:46pm

SouthWesterly wrote: »

I deal with guards frequently
The amount of people who tell me they are going through a divorce is scarey. Seems to be a big problem with the job

Definitely is a common thread amongst law enforcement all over the world.

One of the many reasons people consider it a vocation I guess.

byhookorbycrook · 21-03-2021 10:53pm

Best friend is a Banner. In civil unrest , she was always targeted as being “ the weakest link.” One of her earliest assignments was to search the roadside for a baby not properly strapped into their baby seat at an RTA .
She’s been spat at, scratched , kicked and bitten ( and believe me , she’s tall and very physically fit) as have her male colleagues. Wouldn’t be my idea of fun .

22-03-2021 9:19am

Plenty of women members are still called banners, for some reason younger women don't like it, I have no idea why, they will be called much worse during their working life

The job is still full of nepotism and favouritism, that can cause disillusion. But that's probably the same in many different work environments.
Look at the post above, he probably knew some guys who joined AGS, same people but maybe now they can't do quite the same things that they used to, or maybe they advise their friends to be careful, then the above post is what their 'friend's now think of them.

Edit, actually that post disappeared!
Basically, you're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

ussrsoviet · 22-03-2021 9:59am

bubblypop wrote: »

Plenty of women members are still called banners, for some reason younger women don't like it, I have no idea why, they will be called much worse during their working life

The job is still full of nepotism and favouritism, that can cause disillusion. But that's probably the same in many different work environments.
Look at the post above, he probably knew some guys who joined AGS, same people but maybe now they can't do quite the same things that they used to, or maybe they advise their friends to be careful, then the above post is what their 'friend's now think of them.

Edit, actually that post disappeared!
Basically, you're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

all you constantly hear is 'templemore will change you, you will never come back the same' or 'say goodbye to your life'....such narrow minded opinions:rolleyes:

banjoh_10 · 22-03-2021 10:25am

Any serving members here know of any updates on new recruits starting?

AF96DUB · 22-03-2021 1:19pm

Loveinapril wrote: »

I am not a garda but often deal with them in my social care job. I know a few people who studied social care, worked in the area for a few years then became excellent Gardaí because of the compassion they had for the most vulnerable in society. If you are thinking of studying anything before joining, social care would b3 a good one. You would get a deeper knowledge into addiction, homelessness, at risk families, travelling community and other issues that you would face on a daily basis as a Garda.

This is the exact background I come from myself, you gain all the experience required for the role in terms of conflict management, physical and mental health crisis and empathy etc. On my meetings with the Inspector and sergeant, they told me its the ideal work to do before applying so I would encourage anyone to do some of that work before applying!

JimmyVik · 22-03-2021 1:25pm

I thought i wouldnt mind being a guard.
Then I watched "Inside the K"
Game over

Hopeful12 · 22-03-2021 1:29pm

Infernal Racket wrote: »

Biggest cause for disillusion is probably senior management having absolutely no idea about what's happening on the ground yet pretending they do and also the court system. You could spend weeks, months or sometimes years working on an investigation only to see a judge hand out a paltry conviction because the defendent hired or probably got a free solicitor and barrister who told a very good sob story which, in the vast majority of times works a charm on the disconnected from reality judge.

Just a quick question on your take regarding "senior management being disillusioned to the job".
As there is no cadetship program in AGS all members start at the rank of Garda and work their way up the chain of command. While no organisation is perfect, surely this apprenticeship style hierarchy allows for more "in tune" leadership when compared with most private organisations?

As for the court system, I would imagine it must be quite demotivating when hard work becomes undone by a lenient judge!

Interested in your opinion on this one!

Thanks!

TravisLogan123 · 22-03-2021 1:45pm

JimmyVik wrote: »

I thought i wouldnt mind being a guard.
Then I watched "Inside the K"
Game over

Funnily enough, watching that show made me want to join the guards even more , and especially , to request Dublin as my station

such an education you would get above compared to being down the country

22-03-2021 2:14pm

TravisLogan123 wrote: »

Funnily enough, watching that show made me want to join the guards even more , and especially , to request Dublin as my station such an education you would get above compared to being down the country

Far more to being a guard then dealing with little toerags from housing estates.

TravisLogan123 · 22-03-2021 3:03pm

Dohvolle wrote: »

Because down the country the GS only deal with things like no tax on the tractor and Sheep rustling?
The only difference between Dublin and any other station in Ireland is Dublin have more backup to call on when the natives get restless. If you are down the country, and it's 2AM, you may be the only 2 members on duty, and the nearest neighbouring car is 40 miles in the opposite direction, that's when you earn your pay.
I was stationed in Limerick. One summer Saturday, as all the crowd falling from the pubs were getting messy outside Supermacs, there was a total of 8 gardai available in the city, between 3 stations.
When I was on phase 2 in Cork, I was involved in 3 different murder inquiries.
There is life beyond the pale, you know.

That’s not what I meant at all , i was just saying them type of scenarios appealed to me , I never said anything about guards down the country being inferior at all
Dublin and cities just seems to be constant go go go ,

I’v heard enough stories from Garda friends that are stationed in rural areas and their days seem mundane enough

TallGlass2 · 24-03-2021 11:45pm

I will bring a bit of 'balance', I am an ex member of AGG. I left, as it was not for me.

What was not for me, was the role was nearly still vocational in mindset/what is requested of you. Yet, your expected to also balance a 'normal' lifestyle with the role. So you have a vocational mindset clashing with a career mindset.

The regular unit, I will not lie, it is tuff work most of the time. Yes there is downtime, however that downtime is quickly made up for in other areas of the regular. Like you might get an hour or two 'free' but trust me if it is in anyway a busy station, you will work in 2 hours in 1, or even 3 hours in 1!

There is no way around the regular, at a guess you'll be on it for 5/7/10 years before moving (if you even move). There is a term called a 'mule', never liked that term to be honest nor never understood why anyone would call themselves as such. Regardless, you'll essentially do all the heavy lifting as the 'core' unit, as a new addition to the unit (not right away but in time) you will do the bottom end stuff and eventually move up the ladder of the unit (still however the unit still does the heavy lifting for the most part).

I would still say to anyone, if your interested, really think about it first. It is a fairly sizable effort to get in and trained up. I would also say to that person, be prepared to walk away also. It is not easy to walk away from, trust me. You'll have told everyone, you'll be thinking 'what will they think of me' and so on. Quite frankly in my experience no one actually cares!

I'm not here or going to slate AGS, I do not hold anything bad about AGS. Its a hell of a tuff job, and there are excellent members in the organisation at all ranks.

Options will vary from member to member, be it retire, in service or ex.

The flip side to this all is, that you might really enjoy it.

That said, really consider everything.

Then consider all that in 3/5 years.

Then consider it again about how you'd feel after 10 years, then 20 years.

25/30 not so much your in it for the long haul then!

Posters have mentioned valid points, consider also 'external' or core parts of the job that are actually part of another state system, such as court and that side of things (dealing with solicitors etc..). As in percentage wise arresting someone is about 5% of the work load (made up figure, but my point is there is actually far more to it). As an example, I watch YouTube videos now, I see the excitement and I then think to myself 'thank god that is not me, the paperwork and reports in that'.

Hopeful12 · 25-03-2021 12:23am

TallGlass2 wrote: »

I will bring a bit of 'balance', I am an ex member of AGG. I left, as it was not for me.

What was not for me, was the role was nearly still vocational in mindset/what is requested of you. Yet, your expected to also balance a 'normal' lifestyle with the role. So you have a vocational mindset clashing with a career mindset.

The regular unit, I will not lie, it is tuff work most of the time. Yes there is downtime, however that downtime is quickly made up for in other areas of the regular. Like you might get an hour or two 'free' but trust me if it is in anyway a busy station, you will work in 2 hours in 1, or even 3 hours in 1!

There is no way around the regular, at a guess you'll be on it for 5/7/10 years before moving (if you even move). There is a term called a 'mule', never liked that term to be honest nor never understood why anyone would call themselves as such. Regardless, you'll essentially do all the heavy lifting as the 'core' unit, as a new addition to the unit (not right away but in time) you will do the bottom end stuff and eventually move up the ladder of the unit (still however the unit still does the heavy lifting for the most part).

I would still say to anyone, if your interested, really think about it first. It is a fairly sizable effort to get in and trained up. I would also say to that person, be prepared to walk away also. It is not easy to walk away from, trust me. You'll have told everyone, you'll be thinking 'what will they think of me' and so on. Quite frankly in my experience no one actually cares!

I'm not here or going to slate AGS, I do not hold anything bad about AGS. Its a hell of a tuff job, and there are excellent members in the organisation at all ranks.

Options will vary from member to member, be it retire, in service or ex.

The flip side to this all is, that you might really enjoy it.

That said, really consider everything.

Then consider all that in 3/5 years.

Then consider it again about how you'd feel after 10 years, then 20 years.

25/30 not so much your in it for the long haul then!

Posters have mentioned valid points, consider also 'external' or core parts of the job that are actually part of another state system, such as court and that side of things (dealing with solicitors etc..). As in percentage wise arresting someone is about 5% of the work load (made up figure, but my point is there is actually far more to it). As an example, I watch YouTube videos now, I see the excitement and I then think to myself 'thank god that is not me, the paperwork and reports in that'.

Thanks for the honest answer, really good to hear from someone who has been there and done it!
I have heard friends echo your sentiment on the "regular" - I've heard of some members getting "lucky" and moving into a specialist unit very quickly and I know someone who actually decliend a move as they enjoyed the regular so much. Having the long haul mindset seems to be the way to go!!

Did you find it hard to pick up a job back in civvy life and how was your AGS experience viewed in private industry?

Get Real · 25-03-2021 6:21pm

From a friend, it has its benefits. But be aware it will take your time where you have to stay on, have to attend court dates etc. Alot of cancelled nights out and run meet ups with him cancelled. Consider if you have kids or a family. A 12 hour shift can turn into 16 or 17.

Also, he has alot of court, on days off. Its paid of course, but your days off aren't really your days off.

Finally, although small numbers wise, and you won't read every case in the news, but on a per capita basis, they have 4 times the suicide rate of the general population. So look after your mental health if you go for it.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/garda-deaths-by-suicide-four-times-national-average-figures-suggest-1.4255445%3fmode=amp

Edgware · 28-03-2021 7:08pm

A Garda relative told me that the most important influence on your career is your first station and unit. If you get into a busy station with a good unit of Gardai, male and female, who are interested in work you will have a great start. There are also many different areas where you can apply to get into and generally if you are a sound good worker you will get there. Promotion is competitive and like everything in Ireland there can be "pull" involved.
Before options for detective, drug squads etc were nearly confined to Dublin but every Division has drug units, armed units, traffic corps etc. Also there are options for service with the United Nations, Europol etc.
Of course some lads will bitch about a Garda having "pull" when the only reason is because he or she is a good worker

CD2020! · 28-03-2021 11:44pm

TallGlass2 wrote: »

I will bring a bit of 'balance', I am an ex member of AGG. I left, as it was not for me.

What was not for me, was the role was nearly still vocational in mindset/what is requested of you. Yet, your expected to also balance a 'normal' lifestyle with the role. So you have a vocational mindset clashing with a career mindset.

The regular unit, I will not lie, it is tuff work most of the time. Yes there is downtime, however that downtime is quickly made up for in other areas of the regular. Like you might get an hour or two 'free' but trust me if it is in anyway a busy station, you will work in 2 hours in 1, or even 3 hours in 1!

There is no way around the regular, at a guess you'll be on it for 5/7/10 years before moving (if you even move). There is a term called a 'mule', never liked that term to be honest nor never understood why anyone would call themselves as such. Regardless, you'll essentially do all the heavy lifting as the 'core' unit, as a new addition to the unit (not right away but in time) you will do the bottom end stuff and eventually move up the ladder of the unit (still however the unit still does the heavy lifting for the most part).

I would still say to anyone, if your interested, really think about it first. It is a fairly sizable effort to get in and trained up. I would also say to that person, be prepared to walk away also. It is not easy to walk away from, trust me. You'll have told everyone, you'll be thinking 'what will they think of me' and so on. Quite frankly in my experience no one actually cares!

I'm not here or going to slate AGS, I do not hold anything bad about AGS. Its a hell of a tuff job, and there are excellent members in the organisation at all ranks.

Options will vary from member to member, be it retire, in service or ex.

The flip side to this all is, that you might really enjoy it.

That said, really consider everything.

Then consider all that in 3/5 years.

Then consider it again about how you'd feel after 10 years, then 20 years.

25/30 not so much your in it for the long haul then!

Posters have mentioned valid points, consider also 'external' or core parts of the job that are actually part of another state system, such as court and that side of things (dealing with solicitors etc..). As in percentage wise arresting someone is about 5% of the work load (made up figure, but my point is there is actually far more to it). As an example, I watch YouTube videos now, I see the excitement and I then think to myself 'thank god that is not me, the paperwork and reports in that'.

Yeah a 45 minute lunch or none at all, hours on end sitting with prisoners, horrible abuse interviews, attending suicides, sitting with the body while waiting for doc to attend. Searching a junkie with a wrap in their foreskin (who wants to pull that back?) Pee S and worse left after prisoners in the car. These are the all extra pieces nobody thinks about u till they are confronted with it and left shook.

CD2020! · 28-03-2021 11:56pm

lg.cardonha wrote: »

How can a Garda join the Europol? I heard the Europol headquarters is the Phoenix Park. Does anyone know someone how has joined it?

Its a secondment you'd have to be a guard already depending on the job you want

Edgware · 29-03-2021 10:36am

Dohvolle wrote: »

It's not pull, it's "Influence".:rolleyes:

In New York its called a hook

TallGlass2 · 29-03-2021 9:01pm

CD2020! wrote: »

Yeah a 45 minute lunch or none at all, hours on end sitting with prisoners, horrible abuse interviews, attending suicides, sitting with the body while waiting for doc to attend. Searching a junkie with a wrap in their foreskin (who wants to pull that back?) Pee S and worse left after prisoners in the car. These are the all extra pieces nobody thinks about u till they are confronted with it and left shook.

Yup, you could start a list in fairness. Randomly hearing someone shouting 'RATS' from a random window, or a group of 20 lads throwing a bottle missing your head by millimetres and having to walk away unless you wanted World War 3 to break out. Sadly you have to know your battles in the job, the effort of going into that crowd, nicking 3/4 people only for it a to go to a JLO or court and a judge been on another planet vs as I said a riot breaking out, members getting injured and the unit been down members for the rest of the tour, when there are barely any members to begin with along with it been heavily edited and plastered all over social media, thus an incoming GSOC complaint. Yes you could see if Public Order are around or if other units can assist, but again all out war, getting injured and the courts not reprimanding people for it.

That said, even as an ex member if I ever seen a member in trouble, I would assist. As I said I did not hate the job, it was its archaic way of thinking and working that done it for me. Yes it is changing but life is to short to be waiting on change at snails pace and then trying to function in a dysfunctional court system. Phek that, I was not invested that heavily in the job.

Still glad to have done it, and would tell anyone not to do it but I would be honest about what to expect. As someone said to me it's less Road Wars and more Heartbeat.

LilacNails · 29-03-2021 10:32pm

Why did u leave TallGlass, if u don't mind me asking.

TallGlass2 · 02-04-2021 2:32am

LilacNails wrote: »

Why did u leave TallGlass, if u don't mind me asking.

Sorry busy few days rather than radio silence!

Honestly, aspects of the job where just insane, only way to describe it.

In essence it was around 5 things that killed it for me.

Slow system, to get you into areas that match your academic skillset, even in areas in AGS that are like the private sector crying out to fill posts with professionals in these areas.

The regular on the face of it should be manageable, instead its overwhelming.

Unrealistic workloads and unpredictable workloads.

Job absolutely weights on you.

Personality wise, I have no shame in saying it. I was not suited to front line policing, too soft and not hard enough. I was in the middle more towards the softer end of policing.

I remember leaving. End of tour, a neutral medium. Sad to go, pleased knowing I done the right thing for myself.

I will say, I think AGS loses a lot of talent, by the fact you need to start as a Garda in a front line policing role. Aspects of the job are for certain people and not others, people avoid AGS for that reason.

AGS has some really really really good people in it, I do think they alienate alot of people that would like to contribute to it and would really give alot to AGS, but they are put off by the front line policing role. That needs looking at in my eyes, AGS should not be losing talent due to archic rules.

Courts, Judges and Government need to have the backs of not only Gardai on the frontline but all the frontline staff. Any assult on any frontline worker should be met with an iron fist by the courts.

All that said, if you want to go for it, do it. Go in with the intention of if it ain't for me I am walking, be my advice. However, that advice applies when in a station. The college is a different world and has its own challenges! I wouldn't shut up shop over the college, everyone finds it a challenge it's not easy in training.

Wanderer78 · 02-04-2021 4:41am

TallGlass2 wrote:

Courts, Judges and Government need to have the backs of not only Gardai on the frontline but all the frontline staff. Any assult on any frontline worker should be met with an iron fist by the courts.

The problem is the fact the gardai are in fact an extension of the health service, but the bit we don't truly wanna deal with, the psychological department. This is what frontline staff are dealing with, highly complex social and psychological issues, which have been left fester for eons, and it's getting worse. Coming down hard won't work for such situations, it just further complicates the situation, and creates further dysfunction, most of these offenders in fact need serious professional help, some long term, some indefinite, but these services don't actually exist, and we 're unwilling to create them. And this is where it all ends up, gardai having to deal with it as best as they can, but they're not appropriately trained or supported to do so, so it just continues to escalate, I.e. it's a positive feedback loop. I can't see this changing anytime soon, so for your own well being, I'd say you done the right thing, best of luck, and thank you for trying

02-04-2021 1:55pm

TallGlass2 wrote: »

All that said, if you want to go for it, do it. Go in with the intention of if it ain't for me I am walking, be my advice. However, that advice applies when in a station. The college is a different world and has its own challenges! I wouldn't shut up shop over the college, everyone finds it a challenge it's not easy in training.

Thanks for sharing your experience, its appreciated.

Interesting to hear that about the college, what was it about the college you or others found challenging?

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