Garda sergeants seek separate uniform for reserve force

The Association of Garda Sergeant and Inspectors (AGSI) delegates have unanimously backed a call at their annual conference for a separate uniform for volunteer members of the Garda Reserve to distinguish them from full time members of the force.

Eddie Golden of Cork north told the conference that currently there was insufficient differentiation in uniforms between full time officers who have completed years of training and volunteer reservists who have only completed minimum training.

“To a member of the public attending a major event or socialising in any town or city we feel that the only differentiation at present is the GR on the epaulettes in front of the divisional number and we do not believe that is enough,” he said.

“This, to the public at large, means absolutely nothing. Even to a supervisory member at a large event at a distance, they can’t be easily seen. Garda Reserves are indistinguishable to the majority by virtue of wearing identical uniform to the full time members.

"We can perhaps laugh at the one of the YouTube hits in 2013 of the dancing reserve at Independence in Mitchelstown but was it clear from this video that it was a Garda Reserve on the stage and not a full time member? I don't think so."

Mr Golden said police in other jurisdictions ensure their reserve officers wear a distinctive epaulette cover or a rocker panel on the chest or even a distinct title on the back of their fluorescent jackets to clearly identify them to their colleagues and members of the public.

“The Garda Reserve have a role to play in the modern police force, but it should be very clear to members of the public who are the volunteer members and who are the full time members,” said Mr Golden.

Brian O’Dea of AGSI’s national executive backed the motion, pointing out that in the UK, members of the counterpart of the Garda Reserve, the Special Constables wear a uniform that is very different from the regular force.

“Originally, reserve gardaí were to wear a band around their hat to distinguish themselves from ordinary gardaí, but the reserve gardaí rejected that proposal and the current reserve Garda uniform does not distinguish themselves from ordinary gardaí,” he said.

The establishment of The Garda Reserve was provided for by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 with the first reservists passing out in a graduation ceremony in 2006 and to date over 1,000 people have served as members of the reserve where they assist the existing force