Garda Síochána na hÉireann
| An Garda Síochána | |
|---|---|
Shield of An Garda Síochána
|
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| Common name | Gardaí |
| Motto | Working with communities to protect and serve (Irish: Ag obair le Pobail chun iad a chosaint agus chun freastal orthu) |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 22 February 1922 |
| Preceding agencies | |
| Employees | 15,637 (total) 12,943 sworn members 1,999 civilian staff 695 reserves |
| Annual budget | €1.426 billion (2015) |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | Republic of Ireland |
| Operations jurisdiction | Republic of Ireland |
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| An Garda Síochána area of jurisdiction in dark blue | |
| Size | 70,273 km² |
| Population | 4,588,252 (2011) |
| Headquarters | Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin |
| Officers | 13,638 incl. 695 reserves (2016) |
| Civilians | 1,999 (2016) |
| Elected officer responsible | |
| Agency executive | |
| Regions |
6
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| Facilities | |
| Stations | 564 |
| Vehicles | 2,815 (2017) |
| Boats | Garda Water Unit |
| Aircraft | 2 helicopters 1 fixed-wing surveillance aircraft |
| Canines | Garda Dog Unit |
| Horses | Garda Mounted Unit |
| Website | |
| www.garda.ie | |
| ^ "Working with Communities to Protect and Serve" is described as mission statement rather than formal motto | |
An Garda Síochána (Irish pronunciation: [ən ˈɡaːrd̪ə ˈʃiːxaːn̪ˠə]; meaning "the Guardian of the Peace"), more commonly referred to as the Gardaí ([ˈɡaːɾˠd̪ˠiː] "Guardians") or "the Guards", is the police force of the Republic of Ireland. The service is headed by the Garda Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are in Dublin's Phoenix Park.
Since the formation of the Garda Síochána in 1923, it has been a predominantly unarmed force, and more than three-quarters of the force do not routinely carry firearms. As of 2016, the force employed approximately 13,000 sworn members, 2,000 civilian staff and 700 reserves. Operationally, the Garda Síochána is organised into six geographical regions: the Eastern, Northern, Southern, South-Eastern, Western and Dublin Metropolitan Regions.
In addition to its crime detection and prevention roles, road safety enforcement duties, and community policing remit, the force has some diplomatic and witness protection responsibilities and border control functions.
The force was originally named the Civic Guard in English, but in 1923 it became An Garda Síochána in both English and Irish. This is usually translated as "the Guardian(s) of the Peace".Garda Síochána na hÉireann ("of Ireland", Irish pronunciation: [ˈɡaːrd̪ə ˈʃiːxaːn̪ˠə n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ]) appears on its logo but is seldom used elsewhere.
The full official title of the force is rarely used in speech. How it is referred to depends on the register being used. It is variously known as An Garda Síochána; the Garda Síochána; the Garda; the Gardaí (plural); and it is popularly called "the guards". Although Garda is singular, in these terms it is used as a collective noun, like police.
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Wikipedia