Garda Síochána Reserve

The Garda Síochána Reserve (Irish: Cúltaca an Gharda Síochána) is the volunteer reserve section of the Garda Síochána - the national police force of Ireland. It was created in 2006 and the first 36 Reserves graduated on 15 December 2006 at the Garda College, in Templemore.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a Garda Reserve, consisting of approx 1,000 persons or 10% of the regular force, to assist in performing its functions. Its purpose is to supplement the work of members of the Garda Síochána. The first 900 recruits to the Reserve were expected to be in place by September 2006. 1164 Reserve members have been deployed to date (February 2015). As of 13 October 2016 , there were 789 Garda Reserve members with further training scheduled for 2017 The Reserve will carry out duties defined by the Garda Commissioner and sanctioned by the Minister for Justice and Equality.

The Garda Reserve is intended to be a source of local strength and knowledge. The role of the Garda Reserve is to provide local patrols and participate in crime prevention initiatives relevant to local problem areas. Reserve members are given full powers, however these powers have been restricted and will be rolled out at the discretion of the commissioner.

Reserve members receive training in Irish law, self-defence, restraint, human rights, Garda procedures and discipline. Reserves are required to work under the supervision of and be accompanied by regular members of the Force. A Garda Reserve has no set amount of time to work, but in order to gain expenses, they are required to work a minimum of 208 hours per year, with minimum tour durations of 4 hours.

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Duties of a Reservist including station duty (other than care & custody of detained persons), staffing communications rooms, foot patrol, static security duty, event policing, preserving crime scenes, court attendance (as witnesses), assisting at road traffic checkpoints, collisions, fires, etc.

Reserve Gardaí members dress in the same uniform as regular members, the distinguishing mark of a reserve member is the letters GR on the shoulder number of the reserve member. Reserves are permitted limited access to the PULSE system. Members will not be deployed in plain clothes or carry firearms.

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Wikipedia