Garda Reserve Experiences

Are reserve members permitted to carry their ID whilst not on duty ?

You're allowed take it home, but don't dream off taking it out with you i.e. night out, If that is lost, huge security issues arise.. If you get a Locker at the station, i say keep it there.

I said before that the reserve needs powers thus standing on their own feet and being able to make a decent contribution. I also like the idea of phasing in the powers but I wouldnt go overboard with it as it could get confusing.

However remember that even without Garda powers your still an extra pair of hands and that in itself can be a benefit to fulltime members. I know I have used reserves in situations where manpower was low and it helped.

In the UK reservists are called Special Constables.

From the Met Careers site:

"The MPS Special Constabulary is a force of volunteers who work with and offer support to regular Metropolitan Police Officers, providing a vital link with the people of London’s 32 Boroughs.

Afforded the same powers as regular officers and wearing the same uniform, Specials are everyday people who are prepared to give up at least eight hours of their spare time each fortnight to do something positive for themselves and their community.

As a Special you will be involved in all aspects of policing London, enjoying a variety of roles and carrying out such duties as:

Foot and vehicle patrols
Anti-Robbery initiatives
Working in schools to talk about safety and crime
Assisting in the event of accidents, fights and fires
Road safety initiatives
House-to-house enquiries
Helping safeguard public safety and security at local or major events
Presenting evidence in court
‘Hotspot’ operations to tackle underage drinking, criminal damage and nuisance/public disorder
Offering crime prevention advice and promoting property marketing initiatives.

While you won’t be paid for your time, your travelling expenses will be covered and you will receive an allowance for refreshments bought while on duty. You will also receive your uniform, together with a further allowance for footwear.

In addition, your training and duties will provide you with a number of intangible personal rewards. Interesting experiences, new friends, additional skills, a sense of achievement – they all ensure that you benefit from your time as a Special as much as the community you serve."

Karlitosway1978 wrote: »

I said before that the reserve needs powers thus standing on their own feet and being able to make a decent contribution. I also like the idea of phasing in the powers but I wouldnt go overboard with it as it could get confusing.

However remember that even without Garda powers your still an extra pair of hands and that in itself can be a benefit to fulltime members. I know I have used reserves in situations where manpower was low and it helped.

I would hazard a guess that most reserves probably work a Friday night or Saturday night, so at the very least Reserves should be given public order powers, and over time relevant powers should be phased in such as section 23, section 3 and 15. I do agree that we do not require the entire suite of Garda powers, just enough for us to stand on our own two feet, and be thus accountable for our actions. This I feel would have the effect of making the regulars more comfortable at been sent out on the beat with a reserve, and would make the Reserves feel like they were making a valuable contribution, rather than just been a civvie in uniform who has to be constantly babysat, which is all we are at present. Anyway I won't hold my breath, as I think we are all aware of how slowly things move in this organisation, but hopefully the powers that be will give us the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to An Garda Siochana, through more powers and better utilisation of reserves.

gilly2308 wrote: »

I would hazard a guess that most reserves probably work a Friday night or Saturday night,.

Not in my experience. The hours worked depend on what suits their main commitments such as family, work and friends. Between those 3 weekends are usually not available for reserve work. The exception being the younger people that are looking to step up into the fulltime position or people that work strictly 9 to 5 weekdays.

bryanmurr wrote: »

the reserves in our place can pick which days they work but have to work with a particular unit, is that the same for u Gilly?

i think the reserve was rushed in as a bit of a PR stunt and a way to get numbers up. i dont see a problem givin powers after a probationary period as long the lads on reserve are accountable for their actions like the rest of us.

Bryan,
The station I am in has only got two reserves including myself, so we are not been assigned to a particular unit until such a time that there is one reserve for each of the four units, with the result that we tend to 'float' between all of the units. While you are allowed to pick which days you want to come in, it is not the busiest station in the world, so it makes more sense for all concerned for us to come in at the weekends. I do agree that the whole Reserve concept was somewhat of a publicity stunt, and a way of getting more uniforms on the street. However since they have gone to all this trouble to set up the reserve, why don't they utilise reserves properly, by giving them sufficient powers, and making them accountable for their actions. Only then can it be seen if the Reserve is a success or not, for in its present format, it serves a very limited purpose.