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New Garda Uniform

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 5,261 ✭✭✭source


    Shirt looks horrific, no reason for it to be that loose fitting, will be very uncomfortable under the vest. Also rigid collar looks stupid on it.

    Trousers, about time, no need for that crease though, it's either a dress uniform or an operational uniform, can't and shouldn't be both.

    Haven't seen the new vest cover, but no doubt it's luminous yellow.

    Hat needs to be changed, doesn't look right with that kind of operational uniform.

    Move crest to the sleeve instead of the chest where it will actually be visible.

    452076.jpg[\img]


  • Registered Users Posts: 12,752 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    Seems a bit too easy to replicate in my opinion.
    I already have the trousers through Civil Defence.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Vladimir Poontang


    Looks like a Penney's job.

    This isn't rocket science, what the hell are they playing at?


  • Registered Users Posts: 529 ✭✭✭BillyHasMates


    It doesn't mix well at all. A smart looking hat with a cheap looking shirt and combat trousers.


  • Registered Users Posts: 529 ✭✭✭BillyHasMates


    The combat trousers look ok but the shirt looks horrible. Looks very loose and poorly fitted. Don't like the yellow crest and where it's positioned. Shirt needs to look smarter and better fitted. Sleeves look far too long.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 5,480 ✭✭✭Chancer3001


    It's horrible.

    Like what you'd throw together in arts college on a limited budget to make a police character


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,341 ✭✭✭D Trent




  • Posts: 0 Haley Happy Klutz


    Same vest, new cover.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,780 ✭✭✭carzony


    I actually liked the old blue vests. That yellow is a bit ott


  • Posts: 0 Haley Happy Klutz


    carzony wrote: »
    I actually liked the old blue vests. That yellow is a bit ott

    They are going to show off the dirt so much more than the navy one does.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 529 ✭✭✭BillyHasMates


    Is the navy cover being permanently replaced?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 24,878 ✭✭✭✭ Easton Faithful Sleepyhead


    Speaking as a soldier here's my opinion.

    Ditch the shirt, its terrible. If you're going to replace the shirt and pants go with proper combat pants, you're almost there with that except for that sewn in crease.

    We had uniform pants with sewn in creases in Lebanon a long time ago, looks wise you'll get used to them but if you're in a scuffle, climbing etc the sewn in crease in sore on your knee's.

    If you're going with a shirt under a vest you really need a UBACS (Under Body Armour Combat Shirt) for comfort. The stiff collar and epaulets are ridiculous, and any creasts/badges should be carried on the arm.

    The hat, tbh I like the hat's AGS wear. I think they look very smart, and when you see a guard get out of their vehicle and put it on it carries an air of authority about it.

    The problem with going to a baseball type of cap, or even a baret is that while some guards may be able to look smart, keep a nice shape to it etc there's always going to be the sloppy personnel who'll spoil it for most.. Not mocking, but look at half the guards you see and look how messy their dress is.

    The present hat retains its shape and looks smart on just about eveyone.

    You should get some Magnum boots, the type of barrack boot we were in the DF. They're fantastic and way better than the things you wear at present (which look like Snickers work boots).

    I think the yellow vest looks great, but it'll look filthy very quickly. It should also have a load carrying capacity instead of carring everything on your belt. We used to have our ammo pouches and various other bits of equipment on our belts but the newer battle vests took all that off and its so much handier with quicker access and easier movement.

    Overall its not a bad design, but that shirt is dreadful and the sewn in crease looks silly and amateurish.


  • Registered Users Posts: 118 ✭✭irishrgr


    Wow...good idea, poor execution. The light blue shirt looks silly and the epaulette covers make it look daft. I'm OK with the traditional Garda cap. Like the iconic British bobby's helmet, it is instantly recognoizable  in Ireland as a copper. My thoughts, none of which matter to AGS as I'm not on the uniform board or whatever......don't issue boots, give 'em an allowance and write a policy to the effect of "your boots must meet these specs" and let the memebrs sort themselves out. 
    Pants..navy blue cargo, no sewn in creases.
    Shirt, navy blue utility style with front pockets, sewn name tape on front, two front utility pockets, short & long sleeve version, Garda patch on sleeve, reflective "Garda" on back in four inch letters. 
    Vest worn under shirt, looks less "tactical" than a carrier with pockets, pouches, etc. 
    Nylon duty belt with lumbar support for cuffs, baton, radio, etc. Slide on, embroidered epaulettes for numbers. 
    Modern fabrics that are breathable, don't need ironing & wear well.
    Navy blue goretex style parka with removable fleece, both with reflective piping & Garda on back & front. If working traffic, a simple reflective vest is put on over the relevant uniform. 
    Shirts, ties, tunics, etc for parades, court & official functions.
    Oh well...a lost opportunity..


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,559 ✭✭✭Mahony0509


    They seem to be wearing the new vests with black jumpers (?) on underneath. Looks very well.


  • Posts: 0 Haley Happy Klutz


    Mahony0509 wrote: »
    They seem to be wearing the new vests with black jumpers (?) on underneath. Looks very well.

    That's the normal navy fleece.


  • Registered Users Posts: 217 ✭✭JDigweed


    The ERU should be the standard Garda uniform for all officers on the beat (at least in the main towns and cities). The current uniform with old style cap should only be used for sentry duties like standing outside the Dail, British embassy etc and kept in rural villages and small towns where crime is quite low.
    As for the ERU, they seem well equipped but having them quasi military might an option, after all they are the elite section of the Gardai responding to the countries most dangerous.
    Let's face it the country is awash with dangerous European and International criminals, the least we can do is equip our Police force properly.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 3,007 Mod ✭✭✭✭Black Sheep


    I think the fact that people both inside and outside the organisation have strong feelings about the need for a great uniform for frontline Gardai shows that this is important. Members of AGS are invested from the point of view of practicality and appearance, and members of the public from the point of view of having a smart, well-presented force.

    My view is that there are two main factors in play which have been behind the way the uniform has been in the past and will be going forward.

    1) Cost

    This is a huge element and has a lot of explanatory power to answer questions like "why don't they just issue the bicycle uniform, or the ASU uniform?".

    Per unit the shirts, trousers and most other clothing items that uniformed Members are issued are - to put it nicely - as inexpensive on a per unit basis as can be found in the procurement process.

    Someone joked that you would not find clothing of this quality for sale in Aldi or Lidl and I would hazard a guess that in fact this is true. The materials and construction would indicate to me that neither of these stores would stock uniform items that have made it through the AGS procurement process.

    From the point of view of the people who are behind the procurement process they are trying to keep the overall cost down and are bearing in mind that the number of units required is far vaster than that required to outfit smaller specialist units like the ASU or even AGS members wearing the bicycle uniform. There is just no comparison in terms of the numbers. I would be curious also to know DFB and ambulance service numbers as this might be relevant here: Are those less expensive tenders because there are less of them, or are their organisations more willing to spend the money?

    Now, whether they are going too far in terms of cost saving efforts, when we look at the quality of the items issued... I think the answer has to be an overwhelming "yes they are".

    Because whatever amount of money is saved, it has to be balanced not just against the practicality and comfort of the Members concerned, but the effect that putting them in a crappy uniform has.

    - The public thinks they look a mess because the uniform drapes badly and looks rumpled and messy even if the person wearing it has a perfectly normal frame.

    - The member loses pride in their appearance because they know very well that they look like the michelin man when they're kitted out with all their layers.

    What's the organisational cost? Money is saved, morale and public perception takes a hit that negates that.

    2) Non frontline staff procuring items of uniform with limited feedback from end users

    This has always been an issue. There is no doubt that the GRA and pilot scheme members provide feedback and I believe that there is no bad faith on the part of those involved in the procurement process. No one sets out to create a uniform that almost everyone is unhappy with... As has occurred in the past.

    However, I think we've seen that AGS management have a pre-conceived notion of a 'smart', semi-formal looking AGS Member who will have slacks, polished boots and the shirt and tie.

    This image never survives contact with the procurement process and the realities of the job being performed. The uniform as issued just cannot look 'smart' except in parade ground conditions when it is brand new. After a wash or two it bobbles and becomes misshapen, and I refer to what I've written above about cost-saving measures.

    On the other side, Members who want the ASU uniform have to accept that AGS management (and probably the broader public) do not want them to look in any way like a continental style gendarmerie. Too militarised a look is an unrealistic goal.

    The new uniform is a move in the right direction in many ways. Where it really falls down ... Probably partly the cost issue and partly a bit of design by committee... That polo shirt in particular looks like a bit of a frankenstein's monster.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 18,173 CMod ✭✭✭✭The Black Oil


    Hopefully a step in the right direction.
    https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/garda-to-spend-15m-on-new-uniforms-over-next-three-years-1.4109881

    Tender documents say the operational uniform should consist of a raincoat, softshell jacket, trousers, over-trousers, belt, cap, long- and short-sleeved polo shirt, T-shirt, long johns, cut-resistant gloves and raincoat epaulettes. It is understood that gardaí will no longer be required to wear a tie while on normal duty, but they will be for formal or ceremonial occasions.

    The documents show there are numerous design and fabric specifications for each individual garment, with potential bidders required to comply with a minimum of 95 per cent of these specifications to be considered eligible. For example, there are 62 specific requirements for a raincoat with detachable sleeves for the mountain bike unit.

    ~

    A spokesman said it was hoped that the new uniform would be available for use by gardaí from mid-2021. The force is said it was not obliged to accept the lowest price bid for the contract.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 18,173 CMod ✭✭✭✭The Black Oil


    Shirt on the left. Is that the one used by Garda cyclists?

    https://twitter.com/gardainfo/status/1258303217672376321


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 18,173 CMod ✭✭✭✭The Black Oil


    Thought of Scandinavian police forces upon seeing it. Hopefully it'll be beneficial.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,161 ✭✭✭Citrus_8


    Should get rid of these horrible hats too. The style doesn't blend well with a new clothing.



  • Registered Users Posts: 17,318 ✭✭✭✭MEGA BRO WOLF 5000


    Who designed them, Fisher price?



  • Registered Users Posts: 5,261 ✭✭✭source


    It's not bad, the shirts don't look half as baggy as the trial ones. The soft shell and jacket look modern and European. I think they could have done without Garda under every crest on it but overall it's a decent looking uniform.

    At least it won't look the same as the prison officers and security guards.



  • Registered Users Posts: 13,705 ✭✭✭✭Hello 2D Person Below


    Looks much better.

    Always thought the uniform looked wicked impractical.



  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 7,274 Mod ✭✭✭✭Raichu


    Are the people complaining about how it looks forgetting about how comfortable it might be compared to what they wear now?

    the shirt is looser so easier to breathe if you’re walking around a lot or need to give chase. If a garda isn’t sitting in an office all day they shouldn’t be dressed like they are. It’s ridiculous to see beat garda walking around for hours with a shirt, tie & slacks. It’s madness.

    the hat is stupid though just give them a baseball cap or something like the armed response. Idk.



  • Registered Users Posts: 984 ✭✭✭Still stihl waters 3


    Who cares, its a garda uniform



  • Registered Users Posts: 75 ✭✭Amias


    It doesn’t look out of place in lidl



  • Registered Users Posts: 26,897 ✭✭✭✭Dempo1


    Is maith an scáthán súil charad.




  • Registered Users Posts: 75 ✭✭Amias


    It would look better if they replaced the traditional hat with a beret or cap and keep the hat for formal events.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 30,020 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    It's just a different style of uniform and it doesn't have the same sharpness to it. It's more like Regatta gear now.

    Also, they could have had a few more models.



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