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UCD Career Development Centre

DEFENCE & PUBLIC PROTECTION Sector Background

An Garda Síochána

Policing is a challenging and exciting role and one which continually presents new and interesting experiences. Modern policing entails much more than crime fighting. Reducing the fear of crime and working in partnership with communities are the keys to making a positive difference and improving quality of life for all citizens.

Members of An Garda Síochána operate on the front line, supporting victims and witnesses, providing reassurance and instilling confidence. They are also in a position to make a proactive contribution to an area, building relationships and trust within the community. The career presents opportunities to work in a wide variety of fields including Community Policing, Traffic Control and Regulation, Public Order, Detective Duties, Organised Crime, Fraud and Drugs Offences.

The

The role of the Defence Forces is to defend the state, aid the civil power participating in United Nations missions overseas and provide a fishery protection service. The Defence Forces may be called on by Government to perform other duties in times of emergency. The Defence Forces includes the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force.

The Permanent Defence Force ​ ● The Army

● The Air Corps

● The Naval Service

The Air Corps is the air component of the Defence Forces with its base and headquarters at in Baldonnel, Co. . The Naval Service is the maritime component of the Defence Forces with its base and headquarters located in , Co. . The Naval Service is also the principal seagoing agency of the state and is primarily responsible for Maritime Defence and Fishery Protection but also contributes to the State’s law enforcement, search and rescue and emergency response capability.

Reserve Defence Force

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) consists of the and the . The RDF is organised into the First Line Reserve and the Second Line Reserve. The First Line Reserve comprises former members of the Permanent Defence Force and the Second Line Reserve comprises the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. UCD Career Development Centre

The Army Reserve has nine reserve infantry battalions, eighteen combat support and combat service support units and three air defence batteries. The Naval Service Reserve has the Eastern Group and the Southern Group. Each group consists of two Companies: Dublin and in the Eastern Group; Cork and in the Southern Group.

Typical Roles

Some roles in this sector include;

● Garda ● Cadet – Defence Forces ● Garda – Detective ● Army Recruit ● Garda - Reserve ● Air Corps Cadet - Pilot ● Prison Officer ● Naval Service Cadet - Engineer ● Forensic Scientist ● Fire-Fighter

Entry Routes

An Garda Síochána

Training provides candidates with all the tools necessary to carry out the functions and tasks expected for policing in an increasingly diverse society. Applicants must be 18 years of age but not yet 35 years of age on midnight of the closing date for the competition.

Educational Requirements for Eligibility: ​ Applicants must have obtained:

(a) An Irish Leaving Certificate with a grade D3 minimum in five subjects at ordinary level or ​ ​ (b) A Level 5 Certificate (Major award) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or ​ (c) A recognised qualification (at level 5 or greater), deemed comparable to the above in terms of both level and volume of learning as determined by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)

AND

(d) Must have a proven proficiency in two languages; one of which must be Irish or English.

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Recruitment Process

To reach trainee stage candidates must go through a rigorous selection procedure, involving three ​ ​ stages and includes a number of aptitude assessments, an interview, and a physical competency test designed to determine whether they have the qualities necessary to become a successful member of An Garda Síochána. The recruitment process takes place over an extended period and in recent years included the following items in each stage:

Stage 1: The Aptitude Test:

● Skills / Experience Questionnaire ● Analytical Reasoning and ● Job Simulation Exercise

Stage 2: The Structured Interview: ​ ​ ● Report Writing Exercise ● Written Verbal Evaluation Exercise ● Structured Interview

Stage 3: The Physical Competency Test and Medical Examination

Successful applicants at this stage must undergo the Physical Competency Test and must attain ​ ​ the level of fitness indicated on the marking guidelines here. A criminal background check is also ​ ​ completed.

Student Probationer Training Programme

Once an applicant passes all aspects and conditions of the recruitment process, they then enter the Student Probationer Programme. This training programme is delivered over 104 weeks leading to a BA in Applied Policing. The initial period of 34 weeks comprises a block period of 22 weeks at the Garda College in Templemore followed by a period of 24 weeks spent at selected Garda Divisions under the direct supervision of tutorial staff. The programme is delivered using a problem-based learning approach. After further training at the College, students become members of the Service and attached to stations and remain under probation for a further two year period. For the duration of the programme and beyond, students enter a contract of employment with An Garda Síochána.

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The Defence Forces

The main entry routes into the Permanent Defence Force are entry as a Cadet, a Recruit or through Specialist Competitions that may arise (e.g. Apprenticeship, Musicians, Doctors etc.).

Cadets:

Information on the application to the Cadets in the Defence Forces is listed below:

Army Cadets

Air Corps Cadets

Naval Service Cadets

Recruits:

Interested individuals should apply directly to their nearest brigade manpower office or the Defence Force Headquarters when a competition is launched. The link to the full list of contacts is here. Information on the application to the Recruits in the Defence Forces is listed below: ​ Army Recruits

Air Corps Recruits

Naval Service Recruits

Apprenticeships and Specialist Competitions:

Recruitment of Specialists and Apprentices to the Defence Forces only occurs as particular needs ​ ​ arise e.g. Musicians for the Defence Forces School of Music (Military Bands) or Engine Room Artificers (Ships Engine Room Technicians). If such competitions are sanctioned, they will be advertised in the national press and on www.military.ie through the Careers page. ​ ​ ​ ​

Defence Force Reserves:

Joining the Reserve Defence Force is a simple process, however there are a number of important ​ ​ steps to be taken, which may take some time.

Applications are only accepted through www.military.ie. In the application form, potential ​ ​ candidates will be offered the choice of 26 locations in the case of the Army Reserve, and four locations in the case of the Naval Service Reserve. Only one location may be chosen.

Besides the application form, candidates must also undergo a fitness test, an interview and a security clearance check.

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Relevant Bodies & Professional Associations

An Garda Síochána Marine Rescue Coordination Centre Defence Forces Ireland Merchant Navy Training Board Civil Defence Irish Prisons Department of Defence Prison Officers Association Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform Public Jobs Irish Lifeboats The Naval Association Local Authority website The Security Authority - PSA