Garda Reserve Experiences

[QUOTE=egan007;56794192]Why don't you just become a Guard if it's powers you are after?
What did you expect, the state would bestow power outside the law?[/QUOTE]

Have you read any of the postings in this thread, for if you had you would have seen that most Gardai (even the ones opposed to the Reserve) have all stated that Reserves should be given more powers. Having more powers is not about running around arresting people, its about been able to properly assist your colleagues should the need arise, it would definitely give us a better standing within An Garda Siochana, and god forbid even make us feel more like proper Gardai when on duty. As regards joining the regular, sadly some of us are over 35, so it is not an option, but not everybody who is a Reserve wants to be a regular.

The almighty me wrote: »

Hi, Its amazing to see all the people who come across very well on this thread very concerned about being accepted by the GR, then terrible to hear all the negative press about how the GR is a failure, it is not a failure in my opinion, just a little slower thats all, I think it a great thing and this will be recognised eventually.:)

Yes mate it sure is as i am sure they will do a wonderful job just like the regulars do its all new here as i have read from previous posts so it is just a matter of time everyone has to start somewhere same as the regulars did but as soon as they see what a good job the RG can do and make even a small bit of difference is it not better than nothing at all in place

I know the Reserves in the Uk have a lot more power etc but that will all come in time i am sure they had to take baby steps as well just like over here and learn to be accepted as well into the fold it is all a matter of the regular guys trusting you on their unit to watch their backs remember they have got to know all their other colleagues and their weakness and strength so all i say is to the people who have all ready made it thru hang in there and best of luck

I do think that its not just the acceptance of being a reserve but for all the trouble you and me and others have gone thru getting forms filled doing interviews gathering all the information on our relatives alive and dead trying to trace their DOB etc it certainly takes up a bit of time and then to be refused because something is not 100% like missing references or something in your past etc it can be very frustrating and disheartening for some people

Well i have read the whole lot of this thread and think that some of the posts are well over the top

Firstly i would just like to say all full time members had to learn the same way as the reserves will you have to start somewhere although they will never have all the powers that full time members will have well why should they after all the full time members have put a lot of time and training into their profession

Every day we do a job we are learning it is a learning curve and nobody knows it all even if they say they do the same as everybody makes mistakes from time to time show me a person who never made a mistake in their entire life

I am sure the GR will at some point get extra powers but hay lets wait for them and not rush it all things take time and consideration

There is just a couple of things that maybe the full time members or the now 1 or 2 year GR will be able to answer for me

Ok you are out on patrol with a gr and say going thru Temple Bar and you the full member see a disturbance happening so you go over to sort it out next thing it gets out of control and it starts to get heated and tempers start flaring and next thing someone throws a punch into the equation so you as the full time member start to arrest that person under the public order what would you like the gr to do stand there and do nothing while another mate of his is trying to pull him away from you or start abusing you or assist you even though they dont have the right to arrest for public order offenses

What would you think if the Gr just stood there and said well i cant get involved in this as i cant arrest them and might get myself into trouble
so i will just call for backup which could be 10 mins or more away in the mean time you are taking a hammering from his other mate as well

I would just like to see what the response would be to these questions at the end of the day i would hope if i was the full time member with the gr that he/she would assist rather than standing by watching

kilkcat wrote: »

well said.why would anyone bother.

Hang on a second, a lot of fulltime members such as myself have openly defended the reserves on this thread and work, support and assist them everyday.

remember that each person will develope an opinion based on experience. If that limited experience with a reserve is good or bad will obviously impact on that opinion.

I for one have worked with half a dozen reserves at this stage. Theres only 1 thats a complete lamp so while I can also look at the other 5 too form my opinion imagine if the only reserve in the station was the complete and utter tool?

Well done mate glad you are up and running maybe you could post your experiences on the forum for other members to read like myself

It is nice to get a bigger picture of exactly what is happening out there and what you come across in your everyday patrol weather on the desk or on patrol

Yes sorry about that

What i am saying, is it not possible for the full time members to tell them the right and wrong way. Ok it might look like babysitting them, but it is only for a short period until they know better, is it not better to teach them the correct way, rather than leaving them to their own devices.

That way you would know it is been done right, without and worries or concerns, plus it would help them do a better job, and maybe make things easier for all concerned .

Joker wrote: »

I've no problem with lads helping the GRs out, they are only learning after all. We're stuck with them and might as well help them out. But I ain't doing it , too risky for my taste.

So are you saying, that if you where out with a GR one night, and he/she got into difficulty, are you saying that you would not help or back them up, as they would back you up ? Or did i misunderstand you saying, that you would not do it,ie back them up as it is to Risky!! for your taste.?

No bother mate glad you cleared that little misunderstanding up for me, perhaps one day you will get the pleasure of working with them, that way you will have first hand experience for yourself, and that way be able to judge for yourself.

I am sure all the old Gr have the hang of things by now what they should and should not do, so any of the new Gr can take their advice, on things they are not sure about.


And maybe someday, the the Gr will get into traffic as well as the rest just like the Uk have done, i would say it will only be a matter of time before they follow suit here.

Yep was just throwing that into the pot LOL

here is the list of what they can do in the uk

What you'll be doing

Each of the 43 forces has their own special constabulary and what you'll find yourself doing is likely to vary. Unlike a Police Community Support Officer, you will have the same powers as a regular officer so you could find yourself:

• helping in the event of accidents, fights or fires
• road safety initiatives
• house to house enquiries
• foot patrol
• helping safeguard public safety and security at local or major events
• working in schools to talk about safety and crime
• presenting evidence in court
• 'hotspot' operations to tackle underage drinking, criminal damage and nuisance/public order
• offering crime prevention advice and promoting property marketing initiatives.

Yes mate totally agree with you there on that, most jobs now of days you have to start at the bottom, and work your way up i think it is only fair you work your way around, and do what is required of you.

Karlitosway1978 wrote: »

Zone and Joker,
theres a big difference from supporting and helping a reserve with how too do things or if he finds himself under pressure while correctly doing his job (ie a public order prisoner) and covering him when he is acting the dick.

Zone,
Im pretty sure Joker would not suggest standing back and letting anyone be assaulted regardless of who, where or how.

As a Reserve I would support the immediate dismissal of any Reserve acting the dick, and I would hope that they are few and far between. In response to Metman, every reserve or special out there loves the thought of flying around in a squad car blue lighting it through their town or city in response to some incident, but at the end of the day I, and I would hope most other Reserves realise that we are there to free up regulars, so if this means station duty or foot patrol 95% of the time, so be it. However in relation to the Reserves, again we are very limited, as we are not allowed to be a member in charge, and therefore are not allowed any responsibility for prisoners, are Specials allowed to look after prisoners Metman?

gilly2308 wrote: »

However in relation to the Reserves, again we are very limited, as we are not allowed to be a member in charge, and therefore are not allowed any responsibility for prisoners, are Specials allowed to look after prisoners Metman?

As CD posted, Specials can indeed act as Gaoler here and look after prisoners. We also have civvy DDOs (dedicated detention officers) who perform the same role, but mostly during daytime hours, so having a civvy look after prisoners isn't an issue here as its covered in the legislation.