Harris calls for people to consider job as a garda
GARDA Commissioner Drew Harris has called for people from all backgrounds to join the force.
It comes on the day the age limit for applicants is raised to 50.
A new €400,000 recruitment campaign launches this morning – and Mr Harris insists being a garda is a job worth doing.
He said: “We want, and need, people from all backgrounds and communities to be gardai.
“Already, we have one of the highest proportion rates of female officers in Europe, but we know there is more to do to meet our aim of being fully representative of the people we serve.
“That is why we are hoping to attract more candidates from diverse backgrounds as part of this campaign.”
TOUGH
A key element of the new recruitment campaign is raising the cut off age for applicants from 35 to 50 for the first time in the history of the force.
And, speaking as the campaign was launched, Mr Harris said it was a sometimes tough but rewarding job.
He said: “As a garda you will make a real difference in people’s lives. You will effect positive change in communities.
“You will keep people safe. You will support victims.
“You will uphold the law. And, through this valued and exciting work you will see first-hand the impact your actions have on the ground.
“This is why being a garda is a job worth doing.
“Every day, gardai keep communities and people safe through our unique approach to policing by consent.
“It is this approach coupled with a host of career opportunities that has attracted people to become gardai.
“We have even had those who were police officers in other jurisdictions return to retrain as a garda.”