The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 provides for the establishment of a Garda Reserve. The Garda Reserve is a voluntary unpaid body drawn from the community to assist the existing Service at times when extra personnel are required.
Reserve Gardaí have certain garda powers while on duty and perform their policing duties as determined by the Commissioner under the supervision of, and supported by, regular garda members.
The principal role of the Reserve consists of local patrols and crime reduction initiatives, targeted at specific local urban or rural problem areas.
Members of the Garda Reserve are also involved in policing major incidents and events, and in providing other operational support to regular garda members on the basis of an individual garda reserve member’s skills or local knowledge. They are expected to provide a quality service at all times and are a clear sign of partnership between An Garda Síochána and the community.
The first intake of Garda Reserves began training at the Garda College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary on 30 September 2006. They were assigned to Pearse Street and Store Street in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Anglesea Street in Cork City, Galway City and Sligo Town stations. These trainees became fully operational members of the Garda Reserve on 15 December 2006 following a graduation ceremony at the Garda College.
Mission of the Garda Reserve
The mission of the Garda Reserve is to provide an efficient response and a quality service at all times and to enhance partnership between An Garda Síochána and the local community.
Role description - Garda Reserve
The Garda Reserve consists of voluntary unpaid members, drawn from the community to assist the existing service. Garda Reserve members have limited Garda powers while on duty. They perform policing duties as determined by the Commissioner under the supervision of, and accompanied by, full-time Gardaí.
Entry to the Garda Reserve
• Be aged between 18-60.
• Be a national of European Member State, an EEA State or the Swiss Confederation.
• Be legally in the state for five years.
• Be in good health with good vision.
• Be of good character.
• Have completed the Leaving Certificate or equivalent examination.
(Some restrictions apply for full list please visit here)
Duties of a Garda Reserve
Community Engagement & Public Safety
• Community/Neighbourhood Policing.
• Foot patrol, accompanied by a member of the full-time Garda service.
• Station duty, other than the care and custody of prisoners
• Station orderly
• Communications room duty, to include monitoring CCTV.
• Duty at the outer cordon of major events such as festivals and major sporting events.
Confronting Crime
• Static security duty.
• Giving evidence in court.
• Serving Summonses.
Roads Policing
• Road Traffic checkpoint duties, accompanied by a full time member.
• Issue of FCPS notices where offenses are detected.
• Assisting in the event of accidents, fires and major emergencies.
For further information:
1. www.publicjobs.ie
2. www.careersportal.ie
Campaign videos involving Garda Reservists speaking about their experiences can be found here or by clicking on the below links:
Reserve Garda Rodney Cadden, Margaret Daly & David McLoughlin tell us how proud they are being a Garda Reserve.
Reserve Garda Rachel Grogan and Tomás Barrett give an insight into what volunteering is like.
Epaulette of the Garda Reserve
