Gardaí work to reduce crime and disorder, and make communities safer.
The role is wide, but covers:
- responding to incidents and emergencies
- preventing crime
- investigating criminal activity
- bringing perpetrators to justice
- supporting crime victims
- providing reassurance and reducing fear
- maintaining order, safety and security in the community.
Their tasks vary depending on the area they serve. They may:
- patrol an area, on foot or by car
- respond to calls for help from the public
- deal with a wide range of incidents, including traffic accidents, fires, domestic disputes, violent incidents and burglaries
- arrest and detain crime suspects
- search people, premises and vehicles
- interview witnesses to crimes
- give evidence in court
- compile case files and keep comprehensive records of their actions
- carry out missing person enquiries
- help to control crowds at major events, such as concerts and political demonstrations
- work with community groups, schools and individuals to offer advice and resolve problems.
Gardaí patrol alone or with colleagues. They work closely with other emergency services such as firefighting teams and paramedics.
The work can bring them in contact with people who are distressed or aggressive. They sometimes have to work in difficult situations, such as the aftermath of a car accident. At other times they may need to make quick judgements to protect the safety of others and themselves.
After three years of uniformed policing duties, the Garda may apply to join any of the many specialist units, some of which are listed below.
- The Roads Policing Unit
- Criminal Assets Bureau
- The Emergenct Response Unit
- Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau
- National Cyber Crime Bureau
- Mounted Support Unit
- Air Support Unit
- Water Unit
Hours and environment
Police work is a 24-hour operation. Most Gardaí work shifts, totalling around 40 hours a week. They work a combination of early, late and night shifts, including some weekends and public holidays. Overtime is paid for extra hours worked.
Gardaí are based at a Garda station. Much of their work is done out in the community, in almost any location, including homes and businesses. They are expected to work outdoors in all weather.
Good physical fitness is important, as officers need to be able to move quickly while carrying equipment.
Garda officers wear a uniform, including a protective vest.
Salary and other benefits
Garda Trainees receive an allowance of €184 per week for the 32 weeks leading to attestation.
Garda Trainees attest after 32 weeks and move onto the first point of the Garda incremental pay scale of €30,296. The incremental scale rises to €48,754 per annum after 8 years with two further increments after 13 and 19 years’ service which bring the maximum of the pay scale to €52,482 per annum after 19 years (1st January, 2019 rates). Other allowances may also be payable, including for unsocial hours, as may overtime.
Skills and personal qualities
A Garda needs to be:
- a good communicator and listener
- alert and observant
- honest and dependable
- persistent and thorough
- effective under pressure
- able to relate to people of all kinds
- sound in judgement
- confident
- physically fit
- mentally resilient
- able to keep accurate records
- comfortable dealing with complex paperwork
- good at working as part of a team
- aware of the need to be tolerant and avoid discrimination
- aware of the confidential nature of police work.
Interests
It is important to be:
- interested in people
- committed to upholding the law and promoting safety
- aware of developments in the local community and wider society.
Getting In
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) manages the application process and the initial selection stages of the campaign on behalf of the Garda Commissioner.To register your interest you must have a “User Account” on http://www.publicjobs.ie. If you have not already done so, you must register as a ‘New User’ to create your Profile (register a New Account). Once registered, you can set up a job alert for positions within An Garda Síochána.
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