53 new gardaí join the beat

Eight new gardaí originate from England, Iraq, Poland, Russia, Mauritius and Kazakstan.

An Garda Síochána welcomed 53 new members into the organisation today.
 40 Male and 13 Female bring the current strength of the gardaí to 14,352 of sworn members and to the numbers of those attested to date in 2022 to 370.

 These 53 members of An Garda Síochána commenced their Garda training in November 2021, having originally applied to become members of An Garda Síochána in the 2018 recruitment campaign.  They have undertaken a blend of on-line learning, on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations.  These 53 newly sworn Gardaí will now take on operational responsibilities.

Speaking at the Graduation Ceremony in the Garda College Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said, “Each one of our new Gardaí passing out today have made the choice to pursue a career that will make such a considerable difference to people’s lives, and despite knowing of the risk associated with a job in policing they have stepped up to the mark. In the coming days, these Gardaí will begin their work in communities across the country to guide and encourage, support and protect the public.
 “The intensive training that these Gardaí have just completed has helped them to learn, practice, and develop the knowledge and skills required in modern policing.

“Knowing the calibre of this intake, I know that each of these Gardaí are prepared to give it their all to keep people safe, and will be known and recognised by the community they will serve for all the right reasons.”

Breakdown of newly allocated Garda Members:
• 40 Male/ 14 Female* (74% male, 26% female)
• 8 born outside the state – England, Iraq, Poland, Russia, Mauritius, Kazakstan (*Includes one Garda Probationer graduating today.)

Regional Allocation*:
Dublin   26
East    9
South    7
Northwest  12
Total    54

*The allocation of Probationer Gardaí is initially to Training Garda Stations and also allows for consequential inter-divisional transfers of other members. 

An Garda Síochána expects that the first intake of new recruits from the 2022 recruitment campaign will commence training in the Garda College before the end of the 3rd Quarter 2022.

A further 26 Garda recruits, who applied through the 2018 recruitment campaign, are currently undergoing the blended training programme at the Garda College. 

As of the 31st May 2022, a total of 872 sworn Garda members have been reassigned to operational duties as a result of increase in Garda staff recruitment. 

Garda staff recruitment is ongoing; with 221 Garda Staff assigned and commenced duty to end May 2022.