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

The Stages of Recruitment 

Stage 1 - Garda Online Assessments

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 Assessment Centre

This stage usually comprises of a number of assessments including validation tests. These validation tests are similar to the tests in Stage 1 but they are held in an assessment centre under supervised conditions. The main purpose of this is to ensure that candidates did not cheat when attempting the Stage 1 online assessments without supervision. Additional tests such as Report Writing and Job Simulation Exercises are also usually introduced at this stage. Initially the top group of candidates from Stage 1 are invited to Assessment Centre. Further groups are then invited as required. 

Stage 3 - 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 that they enjoy. All candidates are assessed on the same competencies to ensure that there is fairness in the selection process.

Stage 4 - The Physical Competence Test  &  Medical Examination

This is the final stage and is generally not a major obstacle for candidates who are fit and healthy, but it cannot be taken for granted. Garda vetting is also carried out at this stage. 

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