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Garda Reserve Force - (See Moderator note in first post #1)

12467…51

Comments

  • #152
    controller
    Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭controller


    freddiew wrote: »
    Garda Reserves do an aptitude test and under go the same interview, in fact I was interviewed with some of the ones applying for the Full time. We undergo the same Medical and background (security) check. As I said my nephew as he had the interview for the Reserves hadn't got to do the interview again so they do take recognition of the fact that you had done the interview and medical for the Reserves.
    Can I ask what is your opinion of what you know of the Reserves and their role in the Force.


    Oh I wasn't aware that a an applicant for the Reserves had to under go the Aptitude test? Any advice on that?


  • #153
    Richie12345
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭Richie12345


    Hi guys, first post on here, great forum - loads of really helpful info. Just wondering - how long is it taking now between applying and the interview? Does it depend on which part of the country you're from? I sent in my application in mid-Sept. Thanks


  • #154
    xxbevelsxx
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22 ✭xxbevelsxx


    freddiew wrote: »
    Hi Dee, Welcome! I am just going down to Templemore for P1 on Saturday morning, passed my Medical last Wednesday. I will be stationed in Pearse Street, where are you? and how do the full timers accept the Reserves?

    Hi freddie just joined this thing bit lost but read ur comment there bout bein stationed in Pearse! Im a Reserve too, passed out in June, the full timers are grand with the reserves now, i think they were a bit funny at the start when they first heard of the reserves but der grand now!! u lookin forward to it all? :)


  • #155
    geo1212
    Closed Accounts Posts: 74 ✭✭geo1212


    baton charge wrote: »
    Was just wondering how many of the group who passed out on Oct 20th have got their Epaulets ??? I know lots who don't have them nor do they know when they will get them.From my understanding we can't go out without them.I know a reservist who passed out months ago who still only has an embroidered GR on his Epaulet with no numbers.Maybe Geo could shed some light on this from his experience.


    Hi Baton, we were issued with shoulder numbers when we passed out, not entirely sure what the story is if you dont have numbers, thats a new one.


  • #156
    xxbevelsxx
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22 ✭xxbevelsxx


    Im a Reserve based in Dub and applied for the full time, apptitude in December, few others i know have theirs today and a few had theres already! Any one in same boat?


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  • #157
    pat1187
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭pat1187


    its great to see more and more people using this board and we really should spread the word.Its a pity, in a way that we don't have someone from Reserve headquarters with definitive knowledge answering our concerns,or would that discourage openness?


  • #158
    Dee5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 96 ✭✭Dee5


    Hi All,

    Could all those who are currently serving member s or anyone who is in training, please PM as I have an eamil you might be interested in. Some of you may have got it, but I can see a few holes in the mailing list.

    Cheers,
    Dee


  • #159
    star gazer
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 1,719 Mod ✭✭✭✭star gazer


    For those thinking of applying for the Garda reserve here is some information and here is where to go to actually apply from publicjobs.ie. I've merged two threads on the reserve to keep it tidy.


  • #160
    controller
    Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭controller


    Hi, does anyone know why the current Garda recruitment is being fast tracked at the moment, the current applicants sitting the aptitudes are going to be called for interview mid-November, or so I've been told.


    Also is it true the Garda recruitment is due to finish up soon??? How long do ye think it will run for?


  • #161
    geo1212
    Closed Accounts Posts: 74 ✭✭geo1212


    controller wrote: »
    Hi, does anyone know why the current Garda recruitment is being fast tracked at the moment, the current applicants sitting the aptitudes are going to be called for interview mid-November, or so I've been told.


    Also is it true the Garda recruitment is due to finish up soon??? How long do ye think it will run for?

    Heard that it was being fast tracked to get the numbers up, and the recruitment programme only lasted for 5 days I think.


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  • #162
    freddiew
    Registered Users Posts: 178 ✭✭freddiew


    geo1212 wrote: »
    Heard that it was being fast tracked to get the numbers up, and the recruitment programme only lasted for 5 days I think.

    Just wondering where you heard or read this


  • #163
    pat1187
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭pat1187


    dee5
    How do you PM on this board?


  • #164
    freddiew
    Registered Users Posts: 178 ✭✭freddiew


    pat1187 wrote: »
    dee5
    How do you PM on this board?

    Just click on name and it gives you a choice.


  • #165
    iandromiskin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 115 ✭✭iandromiskin


    pat1187 wrote: »
    dee5
    How do you PM on this board?

    You just click on the members name, "then send private message to 'whoever'".


  • #166
    geo1212
    Closed Accounts Posts: 74 ✭✭geo1212


    freddiew wrote: »
    Just wondering where you heard or read this

    Heard the recruitment process was being streamlined as such to cut down on waitin lists, 3000 sat ass. tests over the last 2/3 weeks, heard this through the guardvine.


  • #167
    pat1187
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭pat1187


    dee,
    I cant contact you as i am told you have no contact information when I check your profile.


  • #168
    controller
    Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭controller


    geo1212 wrote: »
    Heard that it was being fast tracked to get the numbers up, and the recruitment programme only lasted for 5 days I think.

    Thanks for that, I've been reliably informed that there were only 4,000 applicants as it was badly advertised. Have you any idea if it might be the last campaign?


  • #169
    geo1212
    Closed Accounts Posts: 74 ✭✭geo1212


    controller wrote: »
    Thanks for that, I've been reliably informed that there were only 4,000 applicants as it was badly advertised. Have you any idea if it might be the last campaign?
    .

    I would'nt know for sure, but I would seriously doubt it, appearantly intakes are only just beating retirements numbers wise. I think the next recruitment drive is in march, think you have to register your interest on publicjobs.ie, and they then notify you when the competition is to begin.


  • #170
    star gazer
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 1,719 Mod ✭✭✭✭star gazer


    The questions about applying for the paid career garda would be better off in this thread.


  • #171
    controller
    Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭controller


    I applied over a month ago, but have been told to expect up to six monthsof a wait before being called for interview. This seems a long time to have to wait. To my knowledge the Reserves have only been introduced to the cities yet, but I'm subject to being corrected on this.


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  • #172
    geo1212
    Closed Accounts Posts: 74 ✭✭geo1212


    controller wrote: »
    I applied over a month ago, but have been told to expect up to six monthsof a wait before being called for interview. This seems a long time to have to wait. To my knowledge the Reserves have only been introduced to the cities yet, but I'm subject to being corrected on this.


    Thats a pretty long wait, a friend of mine applied about three months ago, and he was told, thats its not the lack of applicants or indeed time, but a lack of room to train Reserves as the College is working at full capacity with full time Garda recruits. There are Reserve Gardai in most of the country now, including provinicial towns as well as the cities


  • #173
    cushtac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭cushtac


    freddiew wrote: »
    Out of context, I said "I would have no doubt they are here to stay and all that I am learning at present they are the best trained force in Europe and Professional."

    Are you referring to the Gardai or the Garda Reserve?


  • #174
    egan007
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,934 ✭✭✭egan007


    He he sometimes these threads advertise themselves....

    gardaxh7.jpg

    :D


  • #175
    controller
    Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭controller


    Well from where I stand as an applicant, I'm beginning to re-think, why on earth would anyone want to be apart of something that is obviously not well thought out? Any professional organisation especially a police force should have set rules. I notice some posters to this site are already GR members, and they don't know their powers?? Furthermore, would the powers that be not think it their place to ensure that every full-timer knows the role of a GR, it would appear negligent to send people out on the streets, without them knowing fully what is expected of them. If the full-timers do not know their limits they may issue a GR with an instruction outside their limits.


  • #176
    fatted
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭fatted


    controller wrote: »
    Any professional organisation especially a police force should have set rules.
    It does. Its clearly stated in the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and in the Rules and Regulations for the Garda Reserve.
    controller wrote: »
    I notice some posters to this site are already GR members, and they don't know their powers??
    Indeed.
    controller wrote: »
    If the full-timers do not know their limits they may issue a GR with an instruction outside their limits.
    Just like full members, Reserve members are responsible for their own actions. A Reserve member doesn't arrest someone on someone else's instructions unless they are happy there is an offence _and_ they have the power to do so.


  • #177
    geo1212
    Closed Accounts Posts: 74 ✭✭geo1212


    controller wrote: »
    Well from where I stand as an applicant, I'm beginning to re-think, why on earth would anyone want to be apart of something that is obviously not well thought out? Any professional organisation especially a police force should have set rules. I notice some posters to this site are already GR members, and they don't know their powers?? Furthermore, would the powers that be not think it their place to ensure that every full-timer knows the role of a GR, it would appear negligent to send people out on the streets, without them knowing fully what is expected of them. If the full-timers do not know their limits they may issue a GR with an instruction outside their limits.
    .

    Without actually being in the situation it can be difficult to understand, needless to say experience does kick in, and in most cases Full time Guards have the same opinion, why dont you have p/o?
    Lets be realistic, the idea of Reserves patrolling the streets is still new, and indeed with some stations who are only having Reserves attached to them now the same queries will arise.
    Will Reserves be given extra powers? it would seem obvious that they will, but dont re-think your applicaion. Yes there was confusion in the beginning but it has been said over and over again, baby steps, learn to walk before trying to run etc.


  • #178
    in control
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭in control


    geo1212 wrote: »
    Also controller, you dont have to have extra/all powers to physicaly make a difference when on patrol, and I dont mean physical strength, sometimes and indeed most times talking to someone will diffuse a problem. Thats when you get the pat on the back. Visable presence is a strong tool, so dont get too discouraged. The first time a Guard that is with you says " Just as well you were with me, that could have turned nasty", you will understand why the Reserve will work in the long term, irrespective of what powers of arrest are deemed necessary.

    Have to say I agree 100 per cent with your opinion on this issue. Your presence , your attitude and your life experience will diffuse most situations . With regard to the threads posted by Fatted I make this point . When we started as GR it was all grey and there was consierable confusion regarding powers. It is only lately that we received the exact guidelines on this issue. Just curious as you appear to have a detailed knowledge of these matters are you a full time member and if you are what is your opinion of the GR? Finally controller dont lose heart, stick with it . There will be good and bad days but most are good . It is all a learning experience and a good test of your character.


  • #179
    geo1212
    Closed Accounts Posts: 74 ✭✭geo1212


    in control wrote: »
    Have to say I agree 100 per cent with your opinion on this issue. Your presence , your attitude and your life experience will diffuse most situations . With regard to the threads posted by Fatted I make this point . When we started as GR it was all grey and there was consierable confusion regarding powers. It is only lately that we received the exact guidelines on this issue. Just curious as you appear to have a detailed knowledge of these matters are you a full time member and if you are what is your opinion of the GR? Finally controller dont lose heart, stick with it . There will be good and bad days but most are good . It is all a learning experience and a good test of your character.

    no "in control"

    not a Guard, I'm exactly the same as yourself just a Reservist, I was in the first group last year, its exactly how you put it yourself, attidude, experience & common sense will see you through most of it


  • #180
    iandromiskin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 115 ✭✭iandromiskin


    geo1212 wrote: »
    not a Guard, I'm exactly the same as yourself just a Reservist, I was in the first group last year


    Your first assessment is due soon is it ?


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  • #181
    andy1971
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭andy1971


    I have been involved in the interview process since last April, and I have been finally called for a medical in January. However I am now beginning to have second thoughts for the following reasons:

    I work all week 9 to 5 and am free most evenings, I would have no problem doing any night during the week or a reasonable amount of weekend duty. However it seems that the majority of reserves are required to work every friday and saturday night. I have a young family and want to contribute to the reserves but if I am required to do the fri and sat shift week in week out I will have to leave the reserves. Is it only loners they are after who never had any life to begin with or has any one any experience of other duty hours?

    The power of arrest will have to be dealt with sooner or later or it might as well be the civil defense we are joining.:mad:


  • #182
    gilly0512
    Closed Accounts Posts: 313 ✭✭gilly0512


    andy1971 wrote: »
    I have been involved in the interview process since last April, and I have been finally called for a medical in January. However I am now beginning to have second thoughts for the following reasons:

    I work all week 9 to 5 and am free most evenings, I would have no problem doing any night during the week or a reasonable amount of weekend duty. However it seems that the majority of reserves are required to work every friday and saturday night. I have a young family and want to contribute to the reserves but if I am required to do the fri and sat shift week in week out I will have to leave the reserves. Is it only loners they are after who never had any life to begin with or has any one any experience of other duty hours?

    The power of arrest will have to be dealt with sooner or later or it might as well be the civil defense we are joining.:mad:

    Andy,

    The policy and procedures manual for Garda Reserves clearly states the following; <snip> quote from restricted document <snip> Now in saying all of that, it has to be expected that whatever station your assigned to is not going to want you coming in on a Monday or Tuesday evening, for at the end of the day you are a divisional resource, to be utilised in times of high policing requirements, i.e. Friday and Saturday nights. You serve little or no purpose to yourself or the Gardai if you can only come in say for one evening during the week, and while this is my own personal belief, I would much rather work when its busy, as there is nothing worse than just sitting around a Garda station doing nothing, and even more so when your not getting paid for it. As regards the power of arrest, I would say we will eventually get Public Order powers, although knowing how slow things move in this country, god only knows when that will be.

    Cheers

    Niall


  • #183
    rooger
    Registered Users Posts: 35 ✭rooger


    gilly2308 wrote: »
    It is the responsibility of your liaison Sergeant or Inspector to order your epaulets from Santry once you have graduated or just before. I am due to graduate on the 13th of next month, so I questioned this with Garda College, and that is exactly what they told me, although going on my liaison Sergeant's previous form, I would say I will be lucky if I get them before next Easter, never mind within the next few weeks!!
    If you know your shoulder number Prospect design of 3 Montegue Lane D2 - 4753452 or 4753965 - will do you a pair of slides that fit over the plain epaulettes for I think about 12€. They put the district + GR + your number on it. I suspect they will post them to you for a price! Always handy to have a spare pair.


  • #184
    leinsterdude
    Registered Users Posts: 523 ✭✭✭leinsterdude


    Anyone know when the next intake of reserves is?


  • #185
    Navanguy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭Navanguy


    Hello all,

    I've been following this thread for months and have always been impressed with the calibre of contributors. I myself have been in the process of applying since last april and have only now returned all references etc. Not wanting to get into the nitty gritty of some of the more than interesting conversations, does any body know when the next intake is? Plus I have a million questions about the training but one at a time. By the way please take a look at our newborn son attached!!!!!


  • #186
    freddiew
    Registered Users Posts: 178 ✭✭freddiew


    Nice Photo, Congratulations.
    Next intake I believe is the end of January.
    Any other questions this is the place.


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  • #187
    lehanemore
    Registered Users Posts: 319 ✭✭lehanemore


    congratulations Navanguy.


  • #188
    lehanemore
    Registered Users Posts: 319 ✭✭lehanemore


    freddiew wrote: »
    Nice Photo, Congratulations.
    Next intake I believe is the end of January.
    Any other questions this is the place.

    what do they mean by "native Irish speaker" in the GR2?

    and should an aunt or uncle that is now deceased be included?


  • #189
    man utd 07/08
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40 ✭man utd 07/08


    there isnt enough garda oround...never mind the "reserve"!who ever came up with that idea had a budgie brain:rolleyes:


  • #190
    Random
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,080 ✭✭✭✭Random


    man utd 07/08 wrote: »
    there isnt enough garda oround...never mind the "reserve"!who ever came up with that idea had a budgie brain:rolleyes:
    Please elaborate.


  • #191
    Hagar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,793 ✭✭✭✭Hagar


    man utd 07/08 wrote: »
    there isnt enough garda oround...never mind the "reserve"!who ever came up with that idea had a budgie brain:rolleyes:
    random wrote: »
    Please elaborate.
    Please do, there's a lot over very dedicated people here who would love to hear what you have to say.


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  • #192
    man utd 07/08
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40 ✭man utd 07/08


    the garda are a joke over here..there is no way near enough on the roads..or the streets!
    they advertise that this year they will be cracking down on drink driving blah blah..and yet i drove from dublin to belfast today without seeing ONE garda car,until i got to the border!:cool:

    if there is no way near enough full time garda on the streets why the fcuk would they try a reserve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  • #193
    TheNog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,160 ✭✭✭TheNog


    man utd 07/08 wrote: »
    yet i drove from dublin to belfast today without seeing ONE garda car,until i got to the border!:cool:

    From Santry, Dublin to Dundalk is approx 70kms (aaroadwatch).In that time you would have passed Santry, Balbriggan, Drogheda and Dundalk stations. Drogheda , Balbriggan and Dundalk stations have traffic corp which is usually the type of gardai you would see on the M1. Traffic corp in Drogheda and Dundalk usually operate more with unmarked units than marked so are not easily spotted. Drogheda I know used to operate 2 cars on the motorway with one going in either direction.


  • #194
    keoghcf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭keoghcf


    I was very interested in applying for the recruits when i first heard about it and applying have a interview coming up and deceided to do a bit of research.
    i.e i have a number of friends who are in the forces. I just asked them about how the reserves were getting on and i didnt tell them i had applyed.
    From what i heard from them it has turned me off altogether there is some definite type of resentment. One story was a female cop walking with a recruit on the beat and when she wanted to cross the road the recruit said it wouldnt be safe as there was no crossing! The recruits dont get brought in cars as the trainee gardai take preference. Then the other fear i picked up was that they were stools set in to inform on anything that might be going on. For me i know gardai get great overtime if i was getting this i would for sure be unhappy with people that are coming in and working for free and maybe hitting into my overtime money?
    Anyways i had hoped maybe there would be some incentive for the recruits even some travel expenses I live outside the main town and it would cost me to drive in and out so why would i do it then?
    All the above im not saying i agree or belive it all just putting my experience out there!!!!!!!


  • #195
    Benny Kerry
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5 ✭Benny Kerry


    keoghcf, please excuse me if this sounds bad mannered but are you for real with this stuff? Crossing the road, stools, overtime - did you read any of the previous posts in this thread?


  • #196
    keoghcf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭keoghcf


    i did read them i just enquired with some gardai i know and that was what they felt .....not saying i agree or disagree


  • #197
    paul666
    Closed Accounts Posts: 412 ✭✭paul666


    keoghcf wrote: »
    i did read them i just enquired with some gardai i know and that was what they felt .....not saying i agree or disagree
    I can only assume that it varies from one guard to another on what they think of the g.r.
    Would it be that most full time members would be split 50/50 if they are for or against the g.r.


  • #198
    pat1187
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭pat1187


    and should an aunt or uncle that is now deceased be included?[/QUOTE]


    No, For obvious reasons.


  • #199
    pat1187
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭pat1187


    keoghcf wrote: »
    I was very interested in applying for the recruits when i first heard about it and applying have a interview coming up and deceided to do a bit of research.
    i.e i have a number of friends who are in the forces. I just asked them about how the reserves were getting on and i didnt tell them i had applyed.
    From what i heard from them it has turned me off altogether there is some definite type of resentment. One story was a female cop walking with a recruit on the beat and when she wanted to cross the road the recruit said it wouldnt be safe as there was no crossing! The recruits dont get brought in cars as the trainee gardai take preference. Then the other fear i picked up was that they were stools set in to inform on anything that might be going on. For me i know gardai get great overtime if i was getting this i would for sure be unhappy with people that are coming in and working for free and maybe hitting into my overtime money?
    Anyways i had hoped maybe there would be some incentive for the recruits even some travel expenses I live outside the main town and it would cost me to drive in and out so why would i do it then?
    All the above im not saying i agree or belive it all just putting my experience out there!!!!!!!


    Firstly, in any job you should always think before you say anything,so follow the reg. Garda and keep quiet,
    We are not allowed as observers in cars, let alone drive one,we can however travel in the back but as often as not situations do not require three Gardai,
    unless for example its Saturday night or something similar.

    No one wants to see their livelihood threatened by people willing to do their job for nothing so for me its a subject I tend to avoid.

    As for the stool idea,only the former Minister knows why he wanted 1400
    ''civilians'' walking into garda stations every week.Personally I feel there may be a grain of truth there.

    With the expenses,its not the actual cost of the travel alone but the effects that all the effort has on ones ability to earn a living,ie.I am partly self employed and at times cannot reach on all my commitments so with me its more of a case of loss of earnings.
    Having said all that I would not change anything and really enjoy the experience particularly when I feel i actually make a difference.
    Also download and read The Circa Group Report on Reserve Police Forces available on the G.R.A. Website

    Finally to quote West Midlands Police from that report

    '' The Government want us to be far,far more responsive to what local people want.''


  • #200
    zippy 99
    Closed Accounts Posts: 215 ✭✭zippy 99


    Oink Oink

    What would you lot not do for some euros


  • #201
    casey212
    Closed Accounts Posts: 481 ✭✭casey212


    zippy 99 wrote: »
    Oink Oink

    What would you lot not do for some euros

    Somebody ban this clown.


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