What qualifications do I need to become a Garda?

(1) Be of good character. physically and mentally to perform the duties of a member of the Service. (3) Have passed a Physical Competence Test. (4) Be 18 years of age but not yet 35 years of age on midnight of the 6th June 2018, therefore you must have been born between 7th June 1983 and 6th June 2000.

How long does it take to become a Garda?

This Training Programme is delivered over 104 weeks leading to a B.A. in Applied Policing. The initial period of 34 weeks including two weeks annual leave takes place at The Garda College. Subsequent training takes place predominantly in selected Garda Divisions.

Is it hard to get into the Gardai?

Unfortunately, it is not easy to become a member of An Garda Síochána. To do this, you must prove yourself by navigating through a rigorous selection process. This process will not be made any easier by the vast numbers of people who will be applying for the recruitment campaign.

How do I join the gardai?

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.

How long is Garda training in Ireland?

The Trainee Garda/Probationer training programme is delivered over 104 weeks leading to a BA in Applied Policing. The initial period of 34 weeks which includes two weeks leave comprises a block period at the Garda College.

Garda Training

How much do Gardai get paid?

The Garda Pay Scale has been subject to significant changes in recent years. It has seen an increase in pay for members by 3% in three years. The first point of the Garda pay scale has increased from €30,296 in January 2019 to €32,921 in September 2022.

Do you need a leaving cert to become a Garda?

An Garda Síochána: Minimum entry requirements is Leaving Certificate with specified minimum grades in Mathematics and in two languages one of which must be either English or Irish.

Do you have to speak Irish to join the Garda?

Under the new rules applicants to join the force will no longer have to hold a qualification in Irish or English. Instead, they will have to be able to prove they are competent in two languages, at least one of which must be English or Irish.

What is the Garda beep test?

The fitness tests contains a progressive shuttle run (or bleep test), a sit-up test with a one-minute time limit, and a press-up test that is untimed. Pass rates are set differently according to age group and gender with male recruits between 18 and 25 facing the stiffest targets in each category.

What age can you become a Garda?

Persons wishing to join the Garda Reserve must be between 18 and 60 years when they commence the prescribed training.

Is being a Garda a good job?

It's a great job if you want to live and work this way. Cons- Bad management, sheep syndrome, poor work life balance, sycophants and old sweat attitudes by senior members.

Do you have to be a certain height to be a guard?

Is there a height requirement? The requirement to be of a specific height has been removed and replaced with a physical competence test.

How hard is Garda training?

Unfortunately, it is not easy to become a member of An Garda Síochána. To do this, you must prove yourself by navigating through a rigorous selection process. This process will not be made any easier by the vast numbers of people who will be applying for the recruitment campaign.

Do Garda trainees get paid?

Garda Trainees will receive an allowance of €184 per week for the 33 weeks leading to attestation. Accommodation and food is provided by An Garda Síochána while resident in the Garda College. Garda Trainees attest after 33 weeks and move onto the first point of the Garda incremental pay scale of €32,421.

How much does Garda College Cost?

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice estimated that it cost €9,200 per recruit to be trained up to the point where they are stationed and have full powers. Of that €1,200 goes towards the new uniform. So with 100 new recruits just started – that's a cost of €920,000.

Do Garda detectives carry guns?

Armed Gardaí

The Gardaí is primarily an unarmed force; however, detectives and certain units such as the regional Armed Support Units (ASU) and the national Emergency Response Unit (ERU) are commissioned to carry firearms and do so.

Can Gardai wear glasses?

Eyesight - good levels of vision (minimum distance vision of 6/18 on both eyes that can be corrected to 6/9 and 6/12 with glasses or contact lenses if necessary).

Can you join the guards if you wear glasses?

All uniformed police officers are required to wear Service Issue Spectacles for duty in uniform if they require visual correction. Therefore those officers must wear their Service Issued Spectacles when undertaking their eye tests.

Are the guards recruiting?

An Garda Síochána have advised that the next Garda recruitment campaign will commence in early 2022.

Can you have tattoos in the Garda?

Gardaí must not have visible face or neck tattoos, men's hair is to be short above the ear, women's hair can be collar length or tied up and tucked away under the hat, never over the eyebrows or the face, with no visible buns or ponytails and definitely "no combination of unnatural colours".

Can a Garda have a second job?

Under the Garda code, members of An Garda Síochána are forbidden from taking other employment in a wide range of jobs, including security.

Can Garda have social media?

An Garda Síochána recognises that Garda staff, in their private capacity, may use social- media as a pastime or hobby and as a form of communicating with family, friends or relatives. However, Garda staff, in the context of their job, hold a unique and critical security and safety role within Ireland.

What age can Garda retired?

Members of the Garda Síochána must retire by age 60. If they joined after 2004, they can choose to retire as early as age 55.

What hours do Gardaí work?

A Garda therefore, works 227 days (1,816 hours) (of 8hrs shifts or equivalent) per annum. Public Holidays when they fall to be so rostered are regarded as working days save that they command a special allowance. Subject to certain conditions, annual leave may be availed of in half days.

What are the Garda shifts?

This roster system meant that gardaí worked four 12-hour shifts and then had four days off – a system which has proven very popular with rank-and-file members of the force. However, the rosters will be changed for certain members of the force such as detective units who will work five days a week on eight-hour shifts.