Should the garda band be kept on?

DublinWriter

I know people will say I'm only bringing this up because of the current desolate economic climate, but should the garda band be kept on?

For those who don't know, the garda band is made of professional musicians. Although they wear the uniform and are attested members, their induction consists of a two week course in Templemore and they don't have the power of arrest.

The reason I make this point is because they cannot perform normal operational duty in the course of their career, so transferring them out to stations isn't an option, unless they are assigned clerical duties.

AFAIK the garda band was reinstated in the early 1960's after a very long hiatus.

Is retaining a professional band an essential part of 21st century policing, or is it a throwback to the days of guards living in barracks and the organisation being more militaristic in character?

Random

I think the resources would really be better spent elsewhere having read your post but I don't know much about the resources they use up. What sort of budget do they have ?What costs do they have ?What is their number?

deadwood

Are you serious?

What about the Rose of Tralee?

Besides - they pull their (not insubstantial in many cases) weight.

They do Freeflow-

Public order and plain clothes-

The beat-

. . .and undercover work-
(sting, gettit?)

Sierra Oscar

What is the fundamental role and purpose of the band?

coolhandluke

DublinWriter wrote: »

I know people will say I'm only bringing this up because of the current desolate economic climate, but should the garda band be kept on?

For those who don't know, the garda band is made of professional musicians. Although they wear the uniform and are attested members, their induction consists of a two week course in Templemore and they don't have the power of arrest.

The reason I make this point is because they cannot perform normal operational duty in the course of their career, so transferring them out to stations isn't an option, unless they are assigned clerical duties.

AFAIK the garda band was reinstated in the early 1960's after a very long hiatus.

Is retaining a professional band an essential part of 21st century policing, or is it a throwback to the days of guards living in barracks and the organisation being more militaristic in character?

Band members have the same powers as any other garda, and have served on the border afaik during the foot & mouth. There the public face of the garda at events up and down the country,the old folks love em.

deadwood

coolhandluke wrote: »

Band members have the same powers as any other garda, and have served on the border afaik during the foot & mouth.

There was some confusion when the memo about the Foot and Mouth reached some of the band members.

eroo

They keep me entertained at matches!

Hey, they play the anthems at matches, good to have members of the nations police and defence forces playing their national anthem imo!

CLADA

eroo wrote: »

They keep me entertained at matches!

Hey, they play the anthems at matches, good to have members of the nations police and defence forces playing their national anthem imo!

We heard you the first time, anyway, yes they should go, and take the horses with them.

DublinWriter

coolhandluke wrote: »

Band members have the same powers as any other garda

They don't.

deadwood

CLADA wrote: »

and take the horses with them.

That'd keep the dog unit happy.

coolhandluke

DublinWriter wrote: »

They don't.

Your either an attested member or your not,there is no in between state.

DublinWriter

coolhandluke wrote: »

Your either an attested member or your not,there is no in between state.

Without wanting to turn this into a "oh yes there is, oh no there isn't" pantomime type discussion, I'd ask you to backup that fact.

My assertion still stands that members of the garda band, whilst being attested, are not granted powers of arrest and only have to attend a two week course in Templemore as opposed to the usual training schedule of regular guards.

CharlieCroker

They are attested but don't do the whole templemore thing.
There was a female member of the band who wanted to leave the band and transfer into the regular units but the brass wouldnt let her so she sued. As far as i know, she won.

deadhead13

First I've heard of this. Immediate reaction is no, they should cut.

coolhandluke

DublinWriter wrote: »

Without wanting to turn this into a "oh yes there is, oh no there isn't" pantomime type discussion, I'd ask you to backup that fact.

My assertion still stands that members of the garda band, whilst being attested, are not granted powers of arrest and only have to attend a two week course in Templemore as opposed to the usual training schedule of regular guards.

Not trying to be smart,but it's you that has to backup your view. Unless you can show me an Act, SI or regulation that limits the powers of members of the garda band then they assume the exact same powers as any other member.
I do know they don't get full training,though.

metman

Mentioned here before, and posters were of the view that members are attested and do occasional patrol duty.

DublinWriter

coolhandluke wrote: »

Not trying to be smart,but it's you that has to backup your view. Unless you can show me an Act, SI or regulation that limits the powers of members of the garda band then they assume the exact same powers as any other member.

Then go look up the State Statute Books (yes, they are online!) for Article 7/Regulation 14 guards.

Yes, Metman, they do muck-in during Operation Freeflow, but then again so do probationers.

coolhandluke

That just prevents members from transfering out of the band,doesn't limit any of their powers or prevent the band as a whole being directed to perform any duty as has happened previously.

CharlieCroker

DublinWriter wrote: »

Then go look up the State Statute Books (yes, they are online!) for Article 7/Regulation 14 guards.

Yes, Metman, they do muck-in during Operation Freeflow, but then again so do probationers.

Probationers have full powers of arrest so why wouldn't they do freeflow?

TheNog

latenia wrote: »

Man, there's a real whack of bacon on this forum.

Banned for a week for trolling

foxtrot-oscar

TheNog wrote: »

Banned for a week for trolling

Good stuff

As for getting rid of them im not sure, do they bring in an income?

Sure if we get rid of them, bye bye army no.1 band and equestrain school etc

TheNog

This thread has gone seriously off topic. If ye want to debate whether the Garda Band members have powers or not, please post here.

bryanmurr

CharlieCroker wrote: »

They are attested but don't do the whole templemore thing.
There was a female member of the band who wanted to leave the band and transfer into the regular units but the brass wouldnt let her so she sued. As far as i know, she won.

are u sure it wasnt the string section :P

On a more serious note, a fella who was on my unit in the castle transfered in from the band.

deadwood

bryanmurr wrote: »

On a more serious note, a fella who was on my unit in the castle transfered in from the band.

Wasn't the late Brendan Campbell in the band?

I remember meeting a guy in Templemore who was a fromer band member on the bike course.

brayblue24

deadwood wrote: »

I remember meeting a guy in Templemore who was a fromer band member on the bike course.

If that was about 10 years ago I was on that course. I remember him telling me that in order to perform operationally he just had to 6 weeks in Templemore and after that away he went fully empowered.

Terrontress

It's PR pure and simple. It keeps the Gardai visible at major events, portrays a professional, talented and clean cut image and most likely makes other Gardai more approachable.

They also bring a fair bit of joy and craic to the taxpayers.

Keep them on I say!

cushtac

DublinWriter wrote: »

Yes, Metman, they do muck-in during Operation Freeflow, but then again so do probationers.

Probationers are attested members.

Eru

DublinWriter wrote: »

They don't.

They do!

they can be deployed if need be and considering their numbers are small I dont really see an issue. To be honest, people are blowing the economic situation out of all context. The money we had circulating hasnt been burnt, its just not being spent.

Poccington

foxtrot-oscar wrote: »

Good stuff

As for getting rid of them im not sure, do they bring in an income?

Sure if we get rid of them, bye bye army no.1 band and equestrain school etc

Why the No. 1 Band? They still do duties in the Barracks. The Horsey School is a waste of manpower though, get rid of it quick.

As for the Garda Band, I say keep it. The lads do a cracking job and they make a lovely racket.

deadwood

TheNog wrote: »

Band for a week for trolling

deadwood

Poccington wrote: »

Why the No. 1 Band?

How many bands were there?

(Was the No. 2 band [EMAIL="S*$%e"]S@$%e[/EMAIL] !!!)

foxtrot-oscar

One hit wonder. they were always playing second fiddle and so on so forth, you seem to be better then me at these

deadwood

foxtrot-oscar wrote: »

One hit wonder. they were always playing second fiddle and so on so forth, you seem to be better then me at these

Don't "beat" yourself up.:D

Bureau03

Degree Holder;;; They have full power of arrest, although Temple-more is longer than 2 weeks. When I was interviewed for Nationwide RTE, I mentioned this span and was told by a person in the band that I should have lied?? Odd. I DO NOT work for them anymore. Considering their smoking ethos it's sure to bring them all crashing!! Pity there doesn't seem to be any active intellectual-copyright segment of rank & file to cater for the larger music world both smoking and non smoking. adeaus..

beertons

8 years. Ah, come on.

SmartinMartin

Welcome to 2009.

Bureau03

They have full power of arrest form day 1, although Templemore is longer than TWO weeks. When I was interviewed for Nationwide RTE, I mentioned this shorter span and was told by a person in the band that I should have lied as to telling the public they do the full amount?? I DO NOT work for them anymore. Considering their smoking ethos it's sure to bring them all crashing! Pity they don't have an intellectual-copyright Unit for the greater world of music where plagiarism/infringement issues can occur.

Bureau03

ahhh well they'll get it the second time...

Turner

Zombie thread.