Garda Recruitment Process

What Does the Garda Recruitment Process Involve?

The competition for the selection of Garda Trainees attracts a very high number of applicants. Accordingly, the selection process to become a Garda Trainee is comprehensive, with candidates required to undertake a range of relevant assessment tests and exercises over a number of selection stages. These tests and exercises are designed to identify candidates suitable to be a Garda Trainee, with the potential to become an attested member. Therefore, only the highest performing candidates at each particular stage will progress to the next stage. The numbers called forward to each stage of selection will be determined from time to time having regard to the number of places to be filled in the Garda College.

Applications

When a new Garda Recruitment campaign is launched applications are taken by the Public Appointments Service on their website www.publicjobs.ie. The Public Appointments Service is the centralised recruiter for An Garda Síochána and they will process the candidates on their behalf.

Am I eligible to join?

Eligibility criteria and requirements are outlined at the start of a campaign in a booklet called ‘Notes For Candidates’ which is a downloadable document.

See here for Entry Requirements

The Stages of Recruitment

Stage 1 - Garda Aptitude Tests

After submitting the online application form, applicants are firstly invited to complete a series of online assessments. These assessments are completed at home / in an unsupervised environment on a laptop or PC. See here for how to prepare for Stage 1 of the Garda Campaign

Stage 2 - The Competency Based Interview

A competency based interview is a highly structured interview where candidates are informed in advance of a number of key competencies. The competencies which are predefined by the interview board are key skills deemed necessary to serve effectively as a member of An Garda Síochána. Examples of the competencies could include ‘Problem Solving’, ‘Resilience’, ‘Motivation for the Role’ etc. During the interview candidates are asked to give examples of instances when they displayed each of the competencies effectively. Most people pick examples from their previous work experience, voluntary experience, educational experience or a hobby that they enjoy. All candidates are assessed on the same competencies to ensure that there is fairness in the selection process.

Stage 3 - The Physical Competence Test & Medical Examination

This is the final stage of the Garda recruitment process and passing cannot be taken for granted, even if you consider yourself fit and healthy, as the physical competency test is very challenging. The Department of Justice released figures in January 2023 showing that more than 1 in 6 Garda recruits failed the fitness test (Lally, 2023) , rising to more than 1 in 3 based on reports at the end of February 2023 (Sheehan, 2023). A Medical Examination, Substance Misuse Testing and Garda Vetting is also carried out at this stage. See here for more on the physical competency test.

If you are successful in the recruitment process, you will be placed on a panel and as spaces become available and will be called to the Garda College in Templemore for your training.

Prepare for the Stages of Garda Recruitment

See here for how to prepare for the stages of the Garda Campaign

Prepare for the Garda Recruitment Stages

Prepare for Success in the Competitive Garda Selection Process

The competition for the selection of Garda Trainees attracts a very high number of applicants in every campaign. Accordingly, the selection process to become a Garda Trainee is rigorous, with candidates required to undertake a range of relevant assessment tests and exercises over a number of selection stages.

Our courses are carefully designed by experts in the industry and in Garda Recruitment. We have been successfully preparing candidates for Garda Recruitment campaigns for over 30 years. No one else can come close to that experience.

Becoming a Garda is an exceptional career decision which is why only a select few will make it through the process. These candidates know the importance not only of preparation but of investing in the best preparation.

Testimonials

Garda Career Information

An Garda Síochána

Becoming a member of An Garda Síochána is an exceptional career decision. It is a permanent position that offers a number of great benefits such as:

A generous salary
Numerous opportunities for career progression
The security of a public service pension

But perhaps most importantly, it is a position that is respected by people up and down the country because as a Garda, you will be making a proactive contribution by building relationships and trust within the community.

Garda Preparation Courses

Selection Process

Unfortunately, it is not easy to become a member of An Garda Síochána. To do this, you must prove yourself by navigating through a rigorous selection process. This process will not be made any easier by the vast numbers of people who will be applying for the recruitment campaign.

However, you may feel comforted by the fact that since 1987, thousands of candidates have successfully availed of our services before you. These candidates are now either serving members of An Garda Síochána or are students currently attending the Garda Training College in Templemore. We fully recognise that our very best advertisements are the recurring recommendations that these individuals provide to members of the public on an on-going basis.

In fact, we encourage you to ask members of An Garda Síochána about our services. We are confident that they will endorse our position as the most successful Garda preparation course providers in Ireland.

Garda Recruitment Garda Entry Requirements Training

Pay & Career Progression

Gardaí who have the required skills may apply for promotion to the role of Garda sergeant, and climb the ranks of an Garda Síochána. The Ranks of An Garda Síochána are:

→ Garda
→ Sergeant
→ Inspector
→ Superintendent
→ Chief Superintendent
→ Assistant Commissioner
→ Deputy Commissioner
→ Commissioner

Career Progression Payscale

A Garda Trainees Experience

Garda Trainee Aisling Butler speaks about her experience. (Source – Garda Press Office – Careers Portal)

Useful-links Training

Do I really need to prepare?

Think of preparation as one of the best investments you could ever make. You are giving yourself the best chance at success in the recruitment campaign and at gaining a great career with the following benefits:

You are being paid to get a degree qualification in only 104 weeks.
You will be on an incremental pay scale with additional allowances and overtime.
You will have an option to retire at 55 years old, after 30 years’ service.
You will get a public service pension – lump sum & 50% of your average wage for the remainder of your life.
There are over 40 different possibilities for vertical promotions and lateral moves within the Gardaí, into areas of special task forces and other areas of expertise.

This is a competitive process and often successful candidates are brought forward by order of merit. So, preparation is not just important in order to pass the Garda tests but also to maximise your scores in them. Candidates that prepare have an instant advantage.

Garda Preparation Courses

Why Us?

What is it worth knowing that you are giving yourself the best opportunity to succeed in the assessments?

Our experience has shown us that the most serious applicants do not believe in taking shortcuts. Neither do we. We focus on providing the highest quality preparation and have done so for over 30 years. As a result, our courses are the best in the market.

We have the best, most experienced and qualified tutors who work full time in psychometric test preparation and have accreditation from the EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists Associations) and the BPS (British Psychological Society)
We provide the best customer service with knowledgeable and friendly staff to help you with your queries
We provide the best course study materials with techniques that will ensure you perform at your best in the official assessments

Simply put, we give you the best opportunity of succeeding!