Garda Reserve Experiences

Hooch

munster4868 wrote: »

To everyone here, Please get back to the business of why this tread was started. If you all need to re-fresh your memories, please review all 200 and odd pages and lets get back to the business on helping and informing people. I am a reserve garda for over 2 years now. Been a member not been a member, been respected by everybody or been looked upon as a wanta be garda is irrelevant to me. I began this process when it was introduction years ago for my own reasons and i can assure you all that one of the reasons WASN'T that i was to be called or looked upon as a member of AGS. It just looks to me from reading the posts that people need to take the chip off the shoulder and just get on with it. An old saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me"... So what, if SOME regular full time members of AGS have issues with the reserve concept, won't you if someone came in and started to do your job on a free basis. Like i said, get on with it and stop posting about the reserves and what we are.. all it can do is to turn more regular full time members OFF the whole concept of the reserve. Sorry if i insulted a few people here but lets all reflect on why we joined.. and i would say the vast majority would say it has nothing to do with been CALLED a member or not. So lets get on with the business on this tread please.

Exellent post.....

This sub forum took alot of work from us mods to get ok'ed from Admin. It took alot of work to get the posts moved here etc. Now it seems to be falling into a trouble some forum with arguements breaking out and "some" not following moderator instructions. I hope the forum can get back to being what it was. A trouble free, informative sub forum that I only had to check in every few days to check out. Now I log into this forum first before the main forum!!!

We'll run like normal for another while. The forum will then be reviewed. It ye cant get on, if it causes us trouble and if "some" posters cant act like adults then we will be forces to close the sub forum. Please try.....

fifth

Wow, some great posts since the reopening of the thread, kudos all.

I just want to say, I'm glad this threads back open - I'd never have passed the interview/exam stage without the help of the members on here. Should get my supt. interview and medical this year I hope. I'll no doubt be back here for help soon!

Scouser

munster4868 wrote: »

To everyone here, Please get back to the business of why this tread was started. If you all need to re-fresh your memories, please review all 200 and odd pages and lets get back to the business on helping and informing people. I am a reserve garda for over 2 years now. Been a member not been a member, been respected by everybody or been looked upon as a wanta be garda is irrelevant to me. I began this process when it was introduction years ago for my own reasons and i can assure you all that one of the reasons WASN'T that i was to be called or looked upon as a member of AGS. It just looks to me from reading the posts that people need to take the chip off the shoulder and just get on with it. An old saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me"... So what, if SOME regular full time members of AGS have issues with the reserve concept, won't you if someone came in and started to do your job on a free basis. Like i said, get on with it and stop posting about the reserves and what we are.. all it can do is to turn more regular full time members OFF the whole concept of the reserve. Sorry if i insulted a few people here but lets all reflect on why we joined.. and i would say the vast majority would say it has nothing to do with been CALLED a member or not. So lets get on with the business on this tread please.

munster, could you inform us potential Garda reservists of a typical night/shift in the uniform of a Garda Reserve.

have you any experience or advise youd like to pass on?

id be very interested to hear from someone whos been there and has the tshirt

freddiew

Scouser wrote: »

munster, could you inform us potential Garda reservists of a typical night/shift in the uniform of a Garda Reserve.

have you any experience or advise youd like to pass on?

id be very interested to hear from someone whos been there and has the tshirt

Hi Scouser, I know you asked Munster the question but sure I will give you my experience. Every night shift is different but where I am stationed apart from Domestics etc the main problems are when the Pubs and Clubs close around 2-3am. Folk come out of the clubs and think they own the world, they pee on the street, kick doors and shop windows etc mostly Public Order problems. Sometimes fights break out and some of the hardest guys cry like babies when they are arrested or get a spray if they resist. It is interesting, rewarding and you will enjoy it. No shortage of excitement on weekend nights!! Hope this helps or if you want to PM me feel free.

munster4868

Scouser wrote: »

munster, could you inform us potential Garda reservists of a typical night/shift in the uniform of a Garda Reserve.

have you any experience or advise youd like to pass on?

id be very interested to hear from someone whos been there and has the tshirt

Every weekend is different, every full time member that you can be out with is different and what/how they look at situations, every townland and city is different but overall: urban = public order (things you see going on, on nights out) rural = traffic...stops etc / public order / domestic (a mix of everything). I always live by a golden rule.... Treat people the way you would like to be treated in that situation... You have two ears and one month, more ears than mouth, so listen more than you talk but when you do talk, be fair but firm. If you are really interested in finding out what a Reserve does and their experiences, i would recommend you to get in touch with the inspector / serg in the station you would more than likely get posted to, and ask to speck to a reserve in that station. I have done this with a few people already but it was officially requested and done. You will then get the closest experience and advise from that person concerning you. Good Luck

Scouser

thanks alot guys!

i think this thread could do with alot more honest factual information instead of insults and squabbles!

anyone anything else to ad?

wheres the best region/type of station to be assigned?

munster4868

Scouser wrote: »

thanks alot guys!

i think this thread could do with alot more honest factual information instead of insults and squabbles!

anyone anything else to ad?

wheres the best region/type of station to be assigned?

Rural - never stuck in, never in the control room always out and about, you deal with alot more than public order - so you see and experience everything... hope that helps.

Scouser

do you do more than 4 to 8 hours a week?

are you assigned a permanent full time officer?

freddiew

Scouser wrote: »

do you do more than 4 to 8 hours a week?

are you assigned a permanent full time officer?

You are normally assigned to a Unit and the Sergeant on that Unit, not a full time officer but maybe a full timer on your particular shift and then a different one the next time you go in. I do time with the Traffic Corp and I would normally do an average of 40 hrs a month, the minimum is 18 hours a month. Hope this helps. Scouser I left my mobile number for you.

munster4868

Scouser wrote: »

do you do more than 4 to 8 hours a week?

are you assigned a permanent full time officer?

As said already, you are assigned a unit and a skipper. But over time you might find that you go out with a certain member more often than others as ye maybe suited better together. As already stated here, some full time members have issues with the reserve concept and had some bad experiences with reserves and would point black refuse to go out with reserves. This should not be taken personal. You might not agree with their opinion but you must respect their opinion. It hasn't happened in my station as most full time regular members are young and by in large i have done a good job. Over time your skipper will get to know you and will be asking for feed back from the regular members you have been out with. He/she will base your duties on that feedback. Remember, the greatest tool a Garda or a Garda Reserve has is his knowledge and ability to talk a situation down. It's not all about pepper spray, battons cuffs and arresting people. Try not to be a John McCain (Die hard) and overdo the situation. You are there to assist the regular member, they will ask for help from you when they need it but don't stand back and be invisible either, it is a hard balancing act but over time you will build up the trust between you and the unit. Policing will become easier, trust me. Good Luck.

russo

munster4868 wrote: »

As said already, you are assigned a unit and a skipper. But over time you might find that you go out with a certain member more often than others as ye maybe suited better together. As already stated here, some full time members have issues with the reserve concept and had some bad experiences with reserves and would point black refuse to go out with reserves. This should not be taken personal. You might not agree with their opinion but you must respect their opinion. It hasn't happened in my station as most full time regular members are young and by in large i have done a good job. Over time your skipper will get to know you and will be asking for feed back from the regular members you have been out with. He/she will base your duties on that feedback. Remember, the greatest tool a Garda or a Garda Reserve has is his knowledge and ability to talk a situation down. It's not all about pepper spray, battons cuffs and arresting people. Try not to be a John McCain (Die hard) and overdo the situation. You are there to assist the regular member, they will ask for help from you when they need it but don't stand back and be invisible either, it is a hard balancing act but over time you will build up the trust between you and the unit. Policing will become easier, trust me. Good Luck.

well said munster
and to any new reserves there going onto a unit for the first time just be patient for the first few weeks. You are in a totally new enviorment now and it will take a few shifts for you to understand how your unit does things. If you are luckly enough as I was a member will apoint themselves as your tutor garda. This is the best thing that could happen as your tutor garda will show you the way things are done. Listen and absorb the information. Good things are gona happen when you gain the trust of your unit. Not gona say its rosie from the start because people can be funny with change in there work enviorment when all of a sudden a reserve is on the unit. The unit is like a small family all looking out for eachother they need to know they can trust you so GIVE IT TIME be strong and remember work as a team and NO HEROICS..!The most important thing to do is to be yourself keep the head down and do what your told. You will know when you have gained the trust of your unit believe me. And then you will be having such a great time you dont want the shift to end

Scouser

excellent stuff lads, this is the type of advice that needed here.

i can tell that its a massive learning curve from day one. how do the public recieve you when your involved in an incident or arrive at a scene of some sort of disorder?

any stations in dublin that are more reserve friendly? i.e. more for them to do, more able to utilise the extra pair of boots?

reason i ask is being a former member of the RDF i know that certain units are more utilised due to their expertise and indeed geographical location.

EGOSHEA

I thought some of ye might be interested in this. It's a recent (Feb 4th) statement in the Dail by the Minister for Justice in answer to a number of questions regarding the garda reserve.

http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2010-02-04.1324.0

It's also good to be recently reading on this board about other reserve members' experience on the job.

ZoneAlarm

Nice find that http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?...0-02-04.1324.0

Well from that report i see that the reserves been short listed to the regular force after training has not been ruled out, which is a good thing, so who knows whats going to happen, in the near future.:)

bealfeirste5

munster4868 wrote: »

Rural - never stuck in, never in the control room always out and about, you deal with alot more than public order - so you see and experience everything... hope that helps.

If i had to pick, Id also go for rural, definitely more appealing

russo

Scouser wrote: »

excellent stuff lads, this is the type of advice that needed here.

i can tell that its a massive learning curve from day one. how do the public recieve you when your involved in an incident or arrive at a scene of some sort of disorder?

any stations in dublin that are more reserve friendly? i.e. more for them to do, more able to utilise the extra pair of boots?

reason i ask is being a former member of the RDF i know that certain units are more utilised due to their expertise and indeed geographical location.

well to answer your first question mate it doesnt really come into affect the majority of the public probably wouldnt be looking to see if there are talking to a reserve or not especially if they are distressed or upset and need your help, my expierence is that all they see is a uniform and that you are a garda.

and for your other questions I think you are looking way too deep into things jus be patient and you will see for yourself when you start.

EGOSHEA

kerry4sam

why not do a bit of this to pass the time EGOSHEA

Scouser

russo wrote: »

and for your other questions I think you are looking way too deep into things jus be patient and you will see for yourself when you start.

your not the first to say that! haha!

im just eager my good man, thanks for your replies

EGOSHEA

WORD! Keepin it real. And such

kerry4sam wrote: »

why not do a bit of this to pass the time EGOSHEA

EGOSHEA

Thought ye might be interested in this. It's the AGS Training and Development Review Group Report - lots of details on present training and recommendations regarding changes, etc. There's also a brief section on the reserve (pp. 59-60).

http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/An%20Garda%20S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na%20Training%20and%20Development%20Review%20Group%20Report%202009.pdf

clayton1

just a quick tip to people joining the reserves, don't expect to be welcomed with open arms into the station. I mean, especially if you're in a busy district, the gards are normally fairly busy as it is and you might feel like a hinderence to them at the start.

Keep plugging away though, it takes a while to get to know them and if you've the right personality you'll be grand.

i think it depends on your intentions also, i feel that the majority full timers don't take to older reserves as they feel they are just nosey parkers.
i've seen reserves leave the force for this reason.

i only joined, to help me get in full time. otherwise, i wouldn't bother.

thestig06

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/crime/pay-and-protest-to-dominate-garda-talks-115812.html

Hi everyone,

Not looking good for the future of Garda Reserves by the way the AGSI are talking.

Although i do think 4 million per year is a bit o.t.t!

hope all that were in templemore over the weekend had a great time

munster4868

thestig06 wrote: »

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/crime/pay-and-protest-to-dominate-garda-talks-115812.html

Hi everyone,

Not looking good for the future of Garda Reserves by the way the AGSI are talking.

Although i do think 4 million per year is a bit o.t.t!

hope all that were in templemore over the weekend had a great time

I wouldn't worry.. they usually trod out this sort of stuff one every year... and only two branches....

munster4868

Tetra radio's not being issued as personal issue to reserves but only as a pool bank!!
What's people's option on this!

I'm listening

munster4868 wrote: »

Tetra radio's not being issued as personal issue to reserves but only as a pool bank!!
What's people's option on this!

Don't see no issue, we are not full time guards, no need to have them as personal issue. They are there in a pool when needed

clayton1

Can i offer some advice to reserves, once they complete their training.
Make sure you record every piece of duty you perform on your R85 form, with regards to getting your 1k allowance.

I have everything on an e-mail if you want to PM me your e-mail address, i will send it on.

clayton1

munster4868 wrote: »

We had those discussions a good few times already.... this subject only brings out arguments and even shut this tread for two days a few months ago... so lets keep away from this subject please..... sleeping dogs and all that..
Thank you

was only pointing it out that's all. I would encourage reserves to be pro-active, it helps trust me

munster4868

clayton1 wrote: »

was only pointing it out that's all. I would encourage reserves to be pro-active, it helps trust me

I understand... lets just keep away from this subject as best we can... people know and understand what to kinda expect....

da__flash

well said i m listening, full time need them everyday and this is why they are not issued to reserves. reserves are only part time and would only need to use them maybe twice or 3 times a month so there is no need to have them issued to reserves...

munster4868

da__flash wrote: »

well said i m listening, full time need them everyday and this is why they are not issued to reserves. reserves are only part time and would only need to use them maybe twice or 3 times a month so there is no need to have them issued to reserves...

I am only putting out the question there. My opinion is that it's one less thing to worry about loosing!!! So once they are there in the pool... hea, no problem.. The reason i asked the question is that i got a few nagging complaints from a few reserves in my district about the fact that they felt that there was a trust factor involved in the non-issue of the radios and not just the finance reason.. I never really thought about it myself and was wondering on how the other reserves or even fulltime members felt. That's all...
Thanks for yer feedback.

lehanemore

munster4868 wrote: »

Tetra radio's not being issued as personal issue to reserves but only as a pool bank!!
What's people's option on this!

I'm not in the least bit surprised, just one more thing to put to the back of your mind and forget about.

I'm listening

munster4868 wrote: »

I wouldn't worry.. they usually trod out this sort of stuff one every year... and only two branches....

Ah you never know, it's not the GRA this time it's the AGSI (middle-ranking gardaí).

In fairness they do say "That doesn’t mean to say we don’t have fine people in the Garda Reserve but we believe the money it costs annually should be put into the resources of the Garda Siochana and used in the fight against crime.”

munster4868

I'm listening wrote: »

Ah you never know, it's not the GRA this time it's the AGSI (middle-ranking gardaí).

In fairness they do say "That doesn’t mean to say we don’t have fine people in the Garda Reserve but we believe the money it costs annually should be put into the resources of the Garda Siochana and used in the fight against crime.”

When the Garda reserve was been introduced back in 2006 the GRA and the AGSI were dead set against it. In March 2008 the AGSI came out with the same stuff referring to costs etc.. for their AGM. Now yet again they refer to the same problem with the costs involved. I think they should refocus they efforts in optaining more funding for all of the personnel within AGS and not ask for further cuts in the organisation!!! and calling for the Garda Reserve to be scrapped is a cut in the organisation. Doesn't figure!!!!

I'm listening

munster4868 wrote: »

When the Garda reserve was been introduced back in 2006 the GRA and the AGSI were dead set against it. In March 2008 the AGSI came out with the same stuff referring to costs etc.. for their AGM. Now yet again they refer to the same problem with the costs involved. I think they should refocus they efforts in optaining more funding for all of the personnel within AGS and not ask for further cuts in the organisation!!! and calling for the Garda Reserve to be scrapped is a cut in the organisation. Doesn't figure!!!!

I know both were against at the start but it seemed that AGSI began to support the Reserves recently and it was just the GRA attacking it, now it seems that AGSI have gone back on the attack.

Having been in it since the start, it was a great idea and has great people in it but the Reserve concept is failing it just isn't working and you'd be blind not to see it.
It seems at the mo that it has turned into a way for people to get into the full time and nothing more.

munster4868

I'm listening wrote: »

I know both were against at the start but it seemed that AGSI began to support the Reserves recently and it was just the GRA attacking it, now it seems that AGSI have gone back on the attack.

Having been in it since the start, it was a great idea and has great people in it but the Reserve concept is failing it just isn't working and you'd be blind not to see it.
It seems at the mo that it has turned into a way for people to get into the full time and nothing more.

mmmmmmmm.. maybe in the larger urban stations the Garda Reserve is not used to it's fullest ... as i joined back in the beginning and have now served in both urban and rural stations i can say that it varies. In some stations you are really needed and in others you may feel like a spare!!! The report is due soon from kathleen o toole so hopefully things might get a shake up in the way things are run. This concept works all over the world so i can't see why it can't work in Ireland!!!

sm900

hey folks

just wondering if the garda reserve members are issued with warrent cards once they have completed all there training?

Yogi Bear

The only reason it's failing is because they have not used our experiences enough. I am in to my fourth year of the reserve, and I still can only do very limited things. I'm not expecting everything, but we could do with a few more things. I was at a traffic checkpoint the other night, and I could not prosecute a fellow whose tax is 6 months out of date, but I can do him for no licence and insurance. Small simple thing should be give to us each year as we progress, and then we would be more valued.

I agree with the full time members who are suffering financially that they would want to make saving in order to get their own paid restored. That is only natural thing, but the €2 million it costs to run the reserve each year is only a small drop compared to the value we give back each year.

EGOSHEA

munster4868 wrote: »

mmmmmmmm.. maybe in the larger urban stations the Garda Reserve is not used to it's fullest ... as i joined back in the beginning and have now served in both urban and rural stations i can say that it varies. In some stations you are really needed and in others you may feel like a spare!!! The report is due soon from kathleen o toole so hopefully things might get a shake up in the way things are run. This concept works all over the world so i can't see why it can't work in Ireland!!!

Has his report not already been released? Is it one of the ones below?

http://www.gsinsp.ie/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=39

munster4868

EGOSHEA wrote: »

Has his report not already been released? Is it one of the ones below?

http://www.gsinsp.ie/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=39

Page 18 Recommendation 2.... nothing really said about what recommendations are to be made only some recommendations!! I think its gone back to the commissioner for consideration now and awaiting further report back!

BBgun

I'm listening wrote: »

It seems at the mo that it has turned into a way for people to get into the full time and nothing more.

Its an absolutly brilliant idea for someone to join the reserves if their intention is to open doors into the fulltime force,the wealth of knowledge and experience gained is invaluable and could not be taught in a classroom!In my humble opinion,what other reason is there for signing up, other than to live out a fantasy or realise a missed oppurtunity perhaps!It was recently hinted that it MAY become a pre-requisit for joining full time force,to have served in the reserves.I think if that was the situation then it would pay dividends because it would have all the right people for all the right reasons giving up their spare time voluntarily!!then again that is only my opinion.

I'm listening

BBgun wrote: »

Its an absolutly brilliant idea for someone to join the reserves if their intention is to open doors into the fulltime force,the wealth of knowledge and experience gained is invaluable and could not be taught in a classroom!

Sure I know it is. But you missed my point completely.

ZoneAlarm

Wow looks like the AGSI are on our tail now as well
Pay cuts must be reversed, says AGSI


The AGSI wants members of the Regional Support Units to be in armed mode on a full-time basis and for the Garda Reserve, which officially costs €2m a year, to be disbanded to save money.

(full topic below)

Source

Scouser

Yogi Bear wrote: »

I was at a traffic checkpoint the other night, and I could not prosecute a fellow whose tax is 6 months out of date,

.

where may I ask is the sense in that?

where else in your opinion yogi, based on your experience, could the GR do with expanded powers?

ZoneAlarm

you will soon find out once you are on active service limited means just that very limited :pac:

shannonsider1

It is interesting to note that both the GRA and AGSI want the Garda Reserve scrapped as they consider it a complete waste of money. It is well known within the Force and the vast majority of the people attached
to the Reserve only want to sit in the back of a patrol car or sit
around the station doing nothing. When they do go out on patrol they
are considered by Real Gardai to be a safety risk.

munster4868

shannonsider1 wrote: »

It is interesting to note that both the GRA and AGSI want the Garda Reserve scrapped as they consider it a complete waste of money. It is well known within the Force and the vast majority of the people attached
to the Reserve only want to sit in the back of a patrol car or sit
around the station doing nothing. When they do go out on patrol they
are considered by Real Gardai to be a safety risk.

Tut.. tut..tut... very, very negative ..... i never knew they done a poll of all AGS fulltime members on their attitude towards the GR. But, hea, everyone is entitled to their opinion, cause all it is, is an opinion and not fact. And as members of AGS, i know only deal in fact not fiction OR hearsay. You might want to go back over the hundreds of pages here and look at some of the positive comments made by fulltime members of AGS (Real Gardai!!!). May i be the first to welcome you to boards.ie and congratulate you on your first positive, factual and informative post. Keep it up.:rolleyes:

shannonsider1

Thank you for that welcome. By the way it AGSI not AGS ( it shows all you know abount the job ). It also appears you did not tune to their
very recent Annual General Conference when it called for the Reserve to
be scrapped.

thestig06

munster4868 wrote: »

Tut.. tut..tut... very, very negative ..... i never knew they done a poll of all AGS full time members on their attitude towards the GR. But, hear, everyone is entitled to their opinion, cause all it is, is an opinion and not fact. And as members of AGS, i know only deal in fact not fiction OR hearsay. You might want to go back over the hundreds of pages here and look at some of the positive comments made by full time members of AGS (Real Gardai!!!). May i be the first to welcome you to boards.ie and congratulate you on your first positive, factual and informative post. Keep it up.:rolleyes:

I have to agree with you MUNSTER

I have spoken to numerous individual senior ranked Gardai and all the feedback was positive
If a reserve does what they are asked in a professional manner and is there as back up when their partners need it they will earn the respected of the full time members.

It may be the case that some reserves are only interested in wearing the uniform and nothing else and it's these that give us serious people a bad name.
I can only speak for myself but i am sure that 99% of the people here waiting have applied because of their genuine interest in AGS and or keeping crime off our streets,

thestig06

shannonsider1 wrote: »

Thank you for that welcome. By the way it AGSI not AGS ( it shows all you know abount the job ). It also appears you did not tune to their
very recent Annual General Conference when it called for the Reserve to
be scrapped.

FYI....... AGS is An Garda Siochana. AGSI is the association of garda sergeants and inspectors

you owe an apology i think