Joining the Garda Reserve

Information on applying to join the Garda Reserve:

• The first step is to access the www.publicjobs.ie website and ensure that you meet the criteria (outlined in our FAQs section). The Public Appointments Service will contact you if you meet the criteria when the area you live in is being targeted for recruitment.
• The Public Appointments Service will schedule you for an interview on an agreed date. This interview will be held locally - for Dublin it will be held at the Public Appointments Service, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 and outside Dublin at a nominated venue within the region. You will be interviewed by a member of the Public Appointments Service and a retired officer of An Garda Síochána.
• A short report writing exercise will take place in conjunction with the interview at the nominated place.
• The Public Appointments Service will then contact you and inform you if you have been successful or unsuccessful at the interview and report writing stage.
• On successfully passing the interview and report writing stage you will be notified by the Public Appointments Service to download the Application Form BR from the http://www.publicjobs.ie website.
• You should complete the form on your personal computer then print the form and attach a recent passport size photo which you should bring to your local Garda station to be signed and witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána.
• Your local Garda station will contact you and arrange for you to meet a local member of An Garda Síochána and the District Superintendent for a brief interview.
• If you are successful at interview, once the Garda Reserve Office gets the required security clearance, you will be called to complete a medical examination (some medicals may be conducted prior to security clearance).
• Those successful at the medical and who have cleared all the security clearance processes will be invited to attend training to become a member of the Garda Reserve.

Training Programme:

• Phase I: Two day induction Course (Weekdays) at the Garda College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary covering the following areas: Introduction to An Garda Síochána, Human Rights, Discipline, Ethics and Organisational Culture.
• Phase II:  A 2 week all inclusive course to be held at the Garda College (Monday Friday not including weekends). The Course will include training in Retractable Baton, Incapacitant Spray and Tetra Radio.
• Phase III: Two day Course (Weekdays) at the Garda College.
• Phase IV:  Minimum of 40 hours on the job training at a designated Garda Station to include accompanied beat patrol and station duty.
• Phase V: 1 day Attestation and Graduation ceremony - Weekday at the Garda College.

View the Garda Reserve videos are available on Careersportal or read some Frequently Asked Questions about the Garda Reserve