Garda Reserve

Reserve Gardaí are volunteer members within An Garda Síochána who provide support to full-time members and help to strengthen links between the force and local communities throughout the country.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 (PDF – 313KB) provides for the establishment of the Garda Reserve.  Since that date over 900 applicants have become members of the Reserve.

The Reserve has been notably successful in attracting non-Irish nationals and they account for around 8% of the membership.  The moratorium on recruitment does not apply to the Garda Reserve as members are volunteers.  It is envisaged that Reserve members will form 10% of the full-time professional force.  Reserve members work a minimum of 208 hours in a 12 month period to qualify for an allowance of €1,000.


Duties and Powers of Garda Reserves

The duties of a Reserve Garda are as follows:

  • Station duty, other than the care and custody of prisoners;
  • Assistant to the Station Orderly;
  • Communications room duty, to include monitoring CCTV
  • Foot patrol, accompanied by a member of the permanent Garda Service.
  • Static security duty;
  • Road traffic checkpoint duties, accompanied by a full-time member;
  • Duty at the outer cordon of major events such as festivals and major
    sporting events;
  • Assisting in the event of accidents, fires and major emergencies;
  • Giving evidence in court;
  • Community/Neighbourhood Policing.

 

Garda Reserve powers are as follows :-

Road Traffic Act 1961/2006

  • Power to demand production of driving licence in accordance with Section 40 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006;
  • Power to demand production of a certificate of insurance or exemption in accordance with Section 69 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006.
  • Power to regulate traffic movement in accordance with Section 91 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006.
  • Power to require person driving vehicle in a public place to stop in accordance with Section 109 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006.

Power of arrest without warrant

  • Section 40 (4)(a) & (b) Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006
  • Section 69 (5) Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006.
  • Section 109 Road Traffic Act, 1961/2006.
  • Section 4(3) of the Criminal Law Act 1997 (power of arrest for an ‘arrestable offence’)

 

Joining the Reserve

The Department has published an information booklet (PDF – 216KB) that provides more information on the Garda Reserve and how to apply to join. You can also visit the Garda Síochána website for information or apply directly through the Public Appointments Service at www.publicjobs.ie.