Garda Reserve Experiences

Hacknabush

ZoneAlarm wrote: »

totally agree with you on that all the ages vary from 18 to over 40 on the phase 1 i was on and a great bunch of people

Yes I have met young and old (Ithink the oldest was 57) and they all have an interest and a commitment to what we do all sound people (the ones I have met anyway).

munster4868

freddiew wrote: »

I can confirm that Reserves do not get Cuffs or Baton in Templemore any more as they used to. This is because they are waiting for the new cuffs and until you do ASP training you will not be issued with the ASP. It's just the old Batons and cuffs were discontinued on a certain day and that was it.
I have been involved in all kinds of Public Order when arrests were involved and I never drew my baton, I just consentrated on holding the guy down and cuffed him but there was always back up who had cuffs as well. I think this situation will be resolved very shortly when the new cuffs arrive.

The new cuffs are there at present. I was with a full time member who had them on him and was issued with them a while back. So who do you ask to do the ASP course and about the semi-ridge cuffs? I have the old cuffs and the wooden batten.

TheNog

munster4868 wrote: »

I have the old cuffs and the wooden batten.

You still have the wooden baton and no ASP?

If so you need to talk with your I/C immediately because the wooden baton is gone.

KIERAN61

TheNog wrote: »

You still have the wooden baton and no ASP?

If so you need to talk with your I/C immediately because the wooden baton is gone.

The old wooden baton may indeed be gone but many of the reserves in my station still have them.We were told that we would have to undergo ASP training but with cut backs on overtime we may be waiting as its a full days training.It would more than likely have to be on a Saturday to facilitate all.

TheNog

KIERAN61 wrote: »

The old wooden baton may indeed be gone but many of the reserves in my station still have them.We were told that we would have to undergo ASP training but with cut backs on overtime we may be waiting as its a full days training.It would more than likely have to be on a Saturday to facilitate all.

I thought the wooden baton was fully withdrawn. I presume ye got training on the batons then? I cant understand if ye were trained in the truncheon then why not just train ye on the ASP instead.

KIERAN61

TheNog wrote: »

I thought the wooden baton was fully withdrawn. I presume ye got training on the batons then? I cant understand if ye were trained in the truncheon then why not just train ye on the ASP instead.

When we trained, which is over two years ago now, the ASP had not been introduced.As the training is different we cant use them

DubNorth

KIERAN61 wrote: »

The Nog may correct me on this one.But legally you are still a civillian until you are attested and so have not earned the right to wear your epulets until then.

we dont wear them until after being attested.

grandslam

Hi all, is the GR really working out I mean REALLY working, if so why, how is it measured ?

Not being silly but sometimes I wonder Myself even, though I want it to be great....

freddiew

grandslam wrote: »

Hi all, is the GR really working out I mean REALLY working, if so why, how is it measured ?

Not being silly but sometimes I wonder Myself even, though I want it to be great....

Why would the Reserves not be working out? There are Reserves in every country practically around the world. We are the best trained as acknowledged by the UK force. They give of their time for nothing and they are extra manpower when called to a Domestic or street fracas. In some stations around the country they are so low on manpower that there is only a driver in a car, a reserve can now be with the driver and help as I already stated. They have certain powers and no doubt will get them all eventually like other reserves around the globe. The Reserves are now a stepping stone to joining the full time force. You join the reserves to see if you would like the force and then while in the reserves apply for the full time. Makes sense to me and I have no doubt we are here to stay.

Spartan09

Came across this today and thought some of you might find it interesting, especially the spread of reserves around the country

http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2009-04-22.777.0

Story1970

RTE News Web Site: 102 members of the Garda Reserve force will graduate at the Training College in Templemore this afternoon. Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern and Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy will attend the graduation. The new recruits will bring the total number of reservists recruited to date to 520. That is 3,480 less than the total number proposed initially for recruitment by the Government and the Garda Commissioner in July 2005. Former justice minister Michael McDowell said that the new Garda Reserve, with 4,000 members, would provide a valuable additional support for Gardaí. It was hoped they would deal with issues such as road traffic checkpoints and community policing. Of the 520 members, 143 are women and 377 are men. Just 322 reservists are working alongside gardaí and 198 are still in training.

Best wishes to the 102 lads and lassies enjoy the day .....

Murphy(Cork)

They want 4,000 Reserves!.. Think RTÉ is wrong on that one. 10% of the force is whats wanted, bringing the total to around 1500 max.

Good luck to any1 graduating today

freddiew

Murphy(Cork) wrote: »

They want 4,000 Reserves!.. Think RTÉ is wrong on that one. 10% of the force is whats wanted, bringing the total to around 1500 max.

Good luck to any1 graduating today

Yeah you are right 1,500

freddiew

Has anyone heard about the ASP Training in Templemore on the 6th or 7th June from 9am till 5pm?

paulbolg

freddiew wrote: »

Has anyone heard about the ASP Training in Templemore on the 6th or 7th June from 9am till 5pm?

what is this about the asp training in june freddie???? didnt hear anything about it??? all we got sent out was letters asking did we recieve training in the asp or the handcuffs???????

KIERAN61

paulbolg wrote: »

what is this about the asp training in june freddie???? didnt hear anything about it??? all we got sent out was letters asking did we recieve training in the asp or the handcuffs???????

I think some people have been contacted by phone but not all .Lets just wait and see. Maybe they are doing it alphabetically?????

lehanemore

paulbolg wrote: »

what is this about the asp training in june freddie???? didnt hear anything about it??? all we got sent out was letters asking did we recieve training in the asp or the handcuffs???????

Paul, I think you're in phase 2 training like me, this ASP/Handcuff business won't apply to us yet, I'd imagine we'll have to get through phase 3 first.

DubNorth

lehanemore wrote: »

Paul, I think you're in phase 2 training like me, this ASP/Handcuff business won't apply to us yet, I'd imagine we'll have to get through phase 3 first.

There is ASP training going on in the college the weekend of 6/7 June. I was among the 97 reserves passing out last week and they arranged the training for the ASP when they realised how many of us are graduating without being assigned one. So i think the training is just for reserves who have passed out. We were told that we cant do any operational policing until we receive our ASP's.

baton charge

DubNorth wrote: »

There is ASP training going on in the college the weekend of 6/7 June. I was among the 97 reserves passing out last week and they arranged the training for the ASP when they realised how many of us are graduating without being assigned one. So i think the training is just for reserves who have passed out. We were told that we cant do any operational policing until we receive our ASP's.

There are still quiet a few of us with over two years experience who have yet to receive asp training. Most of us are still using the old wooden baton we were issued with. I don't understand why you cannot be allowed to do operational policing as you have already done your 40 hours without one.

Hacknabush

freddiew wrote: »

Has anyone heard about the ASP Training in Templemore on the 6th or 7th June from 9am till 5pm?

Sorry FreddieW juist saw your post now. Yeah I got phone confirmation and have a room booked in Templemore for the Friday (doing ASP training on Sat 6th June) Believe it is a very physical day. How about you ? are you booked?

kerry4sam

@ the reserves who entered Templemore a few weeks back starting phase#1:

how are you all getting on with the legal studies? Have you found a good balance between work etc and the studies?

lehanemore

kerry4sam wrote: »

@ the reserves who entered Templemore a few weeks back starting phase#1:

how are you all getting on with the legal studies? Have you found a good balance between work etc and the studies?

Pretty good, not easy by any means but it is interesting.

can't go into specifics tho.....that would be a nono;)

Abed

Lads I just came across this: http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2009-05-19.1266.0

Minister Ahern (Justice) replied to a question by Richard Bruton (FG) whether the Department of JELR envisages opportunities for reservists to becomw full-time members as follows

The Garda Síochána Admissions and Appointments Regulations, which govern entry to An Garda Síochána, provide for recognition to be given for satisfactory service in the Reserve.

I think this will answer once and for all the questions posted earlier on this thread whether being a reserve helps those who are considering a full time career in AGS.

YES IT DOES;)

Story1970

kerry4sam wrote: »

@ the reserves who entered Templemore a few weeks back starting phase#1:

how are you all getting on with the legal studies? Have you found a good balance between work etc and the studies?

Not a problem with work, a really good bunch of guy's on the course ! Legal studies really interesting :eek: .... The trainers have been first class !!

lehanemore

Abed wrote: »

Lads I just came across this: http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2009-05-19.1266.0

Minister Ahern (Justice) replied to a question by Richard Bruton (FG) whether the Department of JELR envisages opportunities for reservists to becomw full-time members as follows


I think this will answer once and for all the questions posted earlier on this thread whether being a reserve helps those who are considering a full time career in AGS.

YES IT DOES;)

I wonder if they'll ever let the oldies (over 35's ) apply to move into the fulltime?

Abed

lehanemore wrote: »

I wonder if they'll ever let the oldies (over 35's ) apply to move into the fulltime?

If they'll ever follow best practice they would. in the UK including PSNI the age limit is 57 and they stress that mature applicants who are looking for career change are particularly welcome. having said that the age limit in Ireland was something in the area of twenty something, so it is already recently extended. I'm 31 myself so I still have a chance provided they recruit within 3-4 years. I think many policing duties need maturity and I quite frankly don't understand why it is very different here in Ireland to the UK, Australia, New Zealand and most Common Law Jurisdictions.

lehanemore

Abed wrote: »

If they'll ever follow best practice they would. in the UK including PSNI the age limit is 57 and they stress that mature applicants who are looking for career change are particularly welcome. having said that the age limit in Ireland was something in the area of twenty something, so it is already recently extended. I'm 31 myself so I still have a chance provided they recruit within 3-4 years. I think many policing duties need maturity and I quite frankly don't understand why it is very different here in Ireland to the UK, Australia, New Zealand and most Common Law Jurisdictions.

Agreed, but we must think too of the young folks that want a career in the Gardai, it would be a bit of a pain to see old fudgers like me, taking what would be their jobs just beause I'd like a career change, and they're trying to start out from scratch.

Abed

lehanemore wrote: »

Agreed, but we must think too of the young folks that want a career in the Gardai, it would be a bit of a pain to see old fudgers like me, taking what would be their jobs just beause I'd like a career change, and they're trying to start out from scratch.

:)Good point Lehanmore particularly in these tough times which are certainly providing less options for the young ones. However, some oldies, and nearly oldies like myself;) can have exceptional qualifications and experiences that could be extremely beneficial to AGS.

jick the rapper

Abed wrote: »

:)Good point Lehanmore particularly in these tough times which are certainly providing less options for the young ones. However, some oldies, and nearly oldies like myself;) can have exceptional qualifications and experiences that could be extremely beneficial to AGS.

Changing a catheter doesn’t exactly qualify as “ exceptional qualifications and experiences that could be extremely beneficial" though,......... in fairness!!

Abed

jick the rapper wrote: »

Changing a catheter doesn’t exactly qualify as “ exceptional qualifications and experiences that could be extremely beneficial" though,......... in fairness!!

You misunderstood my post;) I did not suggest it means the same thing!!!!!!!!!!!

All I said is having the age limit 35 strictly applied would prevent some highly qualified and experienced individuals from joining AGS.

I'm 31 and it took me a long time to add the following letters to my name

BA, MA, PgDip. Law, LL.M + a collection of certificates

ZoneAlarm

well said mate, i myself think they should have raised the age limit as well, as this is the 21 century we are now in, and ageism should be a thing of the past in any organisation.

Murphy(Cork)

jick the rapper wrote: »

Changing a catheter doesn’t exactly qualify as “ exceptional qualifications and experiences that could be extremely beneficial" though,......... in fairness!!

What?!....

lucygoosy

Hacknabush wrote: »

Sorry FreddieW juist saw your post now. Yeah I got phone confirmation and have a room booked in Templemore for the Friday (doing ASP training on Sat 6th June) Believe it is a very physical day. How about you ? are you booked?

Just wondering have you been attested? Am on phase 4 have not heard anything about ASP training and have not been issued with an ASp!

Murphy(Cork)

lucygoosy wrote: »

Just wondering have you been attested? Am on phase 4 have not heard anything about ASP training and have not been issued with an ASp!

Hey Lucy,

You won't be issued until you are attested, time varies.

Hacknabush

lucygoosy wrote: »

Just wondering have you been attested? Am on phase 4 have not heard anything about ASP training and have not been issued with an ASp!

Hi Lucygoosy, yes I have been attested but I think it is down to the availibility of Instructors for the ASP training. There were a lot of people on my phase 3 who had the training and were issued with an ASP ready to go out on phase four.

KIERAN61

Murphy(Cork) wrote: »

Hey Lucy,

You won't be issued until you are attested, time varies.

Hi Murphy,
Do you have any idea how this ASP training is been rolled out?There are a number of members down my neck of the woods who still have the old wooden baton and have not been contacted re training.I realise that there are members who have nothing at all and it is only right that they receive training first.

Preset No.3

Got the bog standard email today, hadnt thought about it in a while but now its in the head again. Couple of questions. The current batch of reserves. What are they doing? How are they doing and what has the reception from regular members been like?

Also, where do you get your hands on the leaving cert results? I did my leaving 20 years ago and wouldnt have that information.

thebigfella71

Hello everyone,

just an update on my progress.....

I applied in March 08, I had my interview and exam etc all within a month, i thought that was great.... then i get the form (background check) get called to the station etc etc... all great.... then..... the guys at the station said next i could expect a call for the medical... but since then absolutely nothing. noew we all understand that the checks take time, no problem there.... but YEARS?????? come on lads thats a joke...:mad:

whats my point???

well i think the applicants in this process are being treated very unfairly, there is no time frame whatsoever for this process.. it seems it can take years, and lets face it.. that is absolutely ridiculous in this day and age. also we are giving our time and commitment to this free of charge, the least we can expect is to be treated with some respect. cos a bit of respect and putting the applicants at the centre of the process costs nothing..

Also the feedback on the progress of applications is also very poor.. unless you want to spend your free time chasing up things you can expect to hear nothing.

I am very eager to do my bit and give whatever i can to the reserve but i do feel a bit let down by the lack of feedback and the fact that the applicants are treated so poorly.

anyone agree??:)

Cheers

thebigfella

cushtac

thebigfella71 wrote: »

well i think the applicants in this process are being treated very unfairly, there is no time frame whatsoever for this process.. it seems it can take years, and lets face it.. that is absolutely ridiculous in this day and age. also we are giving our time and commitment to this free of charge, the least we can expect is to be treated with some respect. cos a bit of respect and putting the applicants at the centre of the process costs nothing..

The vetting takes as long it takes, I've seen full-time applicants take as long as that. It's not a lack of respect, it's the system.

I suggest you get over it, if you're not able to put up with this you won't be able to put up with the rest of red tape.

spudz21

cushtac wrote: »

The vetting takes as long it takes, I've seen full-time applicants take as long as that. It's not a lack of respect, it's the system.

I suggest you get over it, if you're not able to put up with this you won't be able to put up with the rest of red tape.

Ah bit harsh?!:(:(
You can understand if you were in that situation how frustrating it would be!!

cushtac

spudz21 wrote: »

Ah bit harsh?!:(:(

That's the Gardaí for you, better get used to it now.

spudz21 wrote: »

You can understand if you were in that situation how frustrating it would be!!

I've been in that situation, and it's far from the most frustrating part of the job.

Like I said, if you can't put up with this you won't be able to put up with the rest of the crap. Anyone in the application process is not a person, they are a name & a number and most definitely not 'at the centre of the process'. The sooner applicants realise & accept this, the better off they'll be.

And if GR applicants think they're going to get some sort of respect from the organisation for giving up their free time they're deluding themselves. Up until very recently a Garda retiring after 30-odd years service would get a letter saying 'as of x date, your service is no longer required' - if that's what mules got after giving the best years of their lives, what do you think Reserves are going to get for 4 hours a week?

thebigfella71

cushtac wrote: »

That's the Gardaí for you, better get used to it now.



I've been in that situation, and it's far from the most frustrating part of the job.

Like I said, if you can't put up with this you won't be able to put up with the rest of the crap. Anyone in the application process is not a person, they are a name & a number and most definitely not 'at the centre of the process'. The sooner applicants realise & accept this, the better off they'll be.

And if GR applicants think they're going to get some sort of respect from the organisation for giving up their free time they're deluding themselves. Up until very recently a Garda retiring after 30-odd years service would get a letter saying 'as of x date, your service is no longer required' - if that's what mules got after giving the best years of their lives, what do you think Reserves are going to get for 4 hours a week?

Thanks for the feedback, by the way, the fact that this is "the way it is" does not mean it is right, Im not bitching but in all the posts i have read i cant see anyone with a sinilar viewpoint.... why not??? this type of administrative delay would not be accepted in any other situation so why is it so readily accepted here??

and just to finish off.. i run a large business that has employed a lot of people so im not just dreaming up the idea that a little bit of consideration goes a long way.

Cheers

Bigfella

thebigfella71

cushtac wrote: »

The vetting takes as long it takes, I've seen full-time applicants take as long as that. It's not a lack of respect, it's the system.

I suggest you get over it, if you're not able to put up with this you won't be able to put up with the rest of red tape.

I think you should probably "get over" your willingness to accept being treated like you owe the Garda something for applying to join... surely it should be the other way around???. You should check out the timeframe for application to other "special police reserves" they vary from 1 month up to about 3 at a maximum, and on top of this the applicants are certainly well informed and treated very well

some other forces also have a "candidate charter" http://www.joinpsni.co.uk/Cand%20chart.aspx outlining what applicants can expect, so i think my point about the proces taking potentially years is valid.

bigfella

thebigfella71

Dont hold your breath.............................yawn

ZoneAlarm

thebigfella71 wrote: »

I think you should probably "get over" your willingness to accept being treated like you owe the Garda something for applying to join... surely it should be the other way around???. You should check out the timeframe for application to other "special police reserves" they vary from 1 month up to about 3 at a maximum, and on top of this the applicants are certainly well informed and treated very well

some other forces also have a "candidate charter" http://www.joinpsni.co.uk/Cand%20chart.aspx outlining what applicants can expect, so i think my point about the proces taking potentially years is valid.
bigfella

there is an easy way to sum this up, other countries don't have a problem with money, they have an unlimited reserve of it unlike Ireland.

Why do you think they have stopped taking on full time Members, all down to the lack of funds. If you are really pushed to do this you will wait, we all had to do it including myself, my take on it was if its to be it will, when i was waiting i did not even ring them, even to ask about my application, i knew when they where ready they would be in touch.

Its all about waiting as when you do get called, you will still be waiting you will have to do classes maybe twice a week as we are doing, you will have 5 phases to go thru, so if the waiting is getting to you what it going to be like when you get in to do your hours.

I would say sit back and be patient, i know it can be a pain but we have all gone thru it, some have taken 2 yrs its a waiting game

cushtac

I'd like to make it clear that I'm talking about the organisation and not Gardaí. Any reservist who pulls his/her weight, puts the effort in and isn't afraid to get involved when things get rough deserves the respect of full-time members.

DK47

cushtac wrote: »

I'd like to make it clear that I'm talking about the organisation and not Gardaí. Any reservist who pulls his/her weight, puts the effort in and isn't afraid to get involved when things get rough deserves the respect of full-time members.

yes i agree with you, but i think like every other job or voluntary position you need to gain that respect, you don't get it by filling in the first application form, yes it may be commendable but you yet have to prove your self and i say this as an applicant not a member.

ZoneAlarm

cushtac wrote: »

I'd like to make it clear that I'm talking about the organisation and not Gardaí. Any reservist who pulls his/her weight, puts the effort in and isn't afraid to get involved when things get rough deserves the respect of full-time members.

totally agree with you there mate, its the same in any job, people will be weary of you for a while till they suss you out, and see what they are dealing with, but hopefully everyone pulls his or her weight when it comes to it, as your partner is depending on you as you are on them

Hacknabush

Ouch, I have aches and pains on my aches and pains. A very demanding day yesterday in Templemore for ASP training It was tough . It was nice to see old friends and it surprised me to see that there were Reserves of all levels on the Training. I met a few who were from the first intake of Reserves and a few who were only starting Phase two (they havent even got their uniforms yet but are ASP qualified). I would recommend that you do a bit of training before you go on the course as it is a tough day and not everyone passes.:rolleyes:

stiofanD

Hacknabush wrote: »

Ouch, I have aches and pains on my aches and pains. A very demanding day yesterday in Templemore for ASP training It was tough . It was nice to see old friends and it surprised me to see that there were Reserves of all levels on the Training. I met a few who were from the first intake of Reserves and a few who were only starting Phase two (they havent even got their uniforms yet but are ASP qualified). I would recommend that you do a bit of training before you go on the course as it is a tough day and not everyone passes.:rolleyes:

I'm curious - were you invited to go on this training or did you hear about it from someone and applied off your own bat?