Qualifications within An Garda

mc-panda

Are there any qualifications which would help one progress within AGS quicker than if one went in after the Leaving Certificate. I know it's not a job to be chosen for the remuneration package, but as I've said elsewhere, my education to date has incorporated a significant financial investment. I guess I'd just be a lot happier if I knew that I would be given a chance to use put my training to date to good use. I have an MA in Forensic Psychology which involved a good deal of policing related material. I'm not saying that this training alone should qualify me for rapid advancement. I'm just hoping that it would be viewed positively if I was doing a good job already and applied for an attachment to specific units.

For instance, almost half of my course was related to child sexual abuse (including contact offending, internet offending, antecedants, patterns, linkage, interview techniques, etc.). I'd consider a role within the NBCI's paedophile unit as a good place to put this training into practice. Similarly, I have recieved instruction on hostage negotiation, behavioural analysis (profiling), lie detection, terrorist and political violence, violent offenders and more. I stress that I do NOT feel these render me better able to do the job than someone without the same education. But I'd like to think that if I was doing a good job as a regular uniformed Garda, my application would be significantly bolstered by these.

Any information/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

jackhammer

I can tell you what happened to me.

In my interview to join AFS, I asked would my previous qualifications and employment experience be put to use. I was told that I would have to serve 3 years of normal duty before I could apply to a specialist unit. Fair enough as I knew that already.

They said that my qualifications and experience would not make my application to a unit more favourable.

Reading between the lines, I reckoned that they'll provide all the necessary training if I managed to get into one of those units.

zerocoolio

Interesting area this.I have a MA in Criminology and I applying again to join ags.The motivation is of course to specialise and get out of the blues asap.I know of members with advances qualifications who,once they graduated never wore their uniform again.Also,after two years the pay increases with re.qualifications.Would love to hear if anyone with similar qualifications is considering joining.

numorouno

why would you join the gardai "to get out of the blues asap"?
i think you should really thing seriously before applying if you are as you can and will be "in the blues" for at least three years and depending on how you get on "in blue" will depend more than any qualifications as it shows that you can be a team player and work in an investigation team. no team needs a star it needs every body pulling their weight.
is that a fair assessment. i dont mean to raining down on your parade but just know what your getting in for before you do and not to be under any illusions!

eroo

numorouno wrote: »

why would you join the gardai "to get out of the blues asap"?
i think you should really thing seriously before applying if you are as you can and will be "in the blues" for at least three years and depending on how you get on "in blue" will depend more than any qualifications as it shows that you can be a team player and work in an investigation team. no team needs a star it needs every body pulling their weight.
is that a fair assessment. i dont mean to raining down on your parade but just know what your getting in for before you do and not to be under any illusions!

+1

I'm applying to be a Garda, so I can train to become a uniform Garda. That should be your main aim when applying, not to have the intention of 'getting out of blues asap'. That attitude won't get you very far.

Bored-Stupid

Thanks foks,

you may have saved me a few years (at least) time spent doing my professional accounting exams.

First off I want to join the guards to be a guard. But eventually I would like to specialise (as most guards im sure do), into CAB or something similar. I was told like some posters that if I was to do the exams it would help me in easier and quicker into the specialised units.

Basically I hate my current job so if there is no point doing the exams then I may as well scram!

Am I right in my thinking?

eroo

Do the exams, AND go for the Gardai. There is no guarantee you'll get in, so at least you'll have something to fall back on.