Garda Síochána College
Encyclopedia
Garda Síochána College is the education and training college of the Garda Síochána
(Irish police). It is located at McCan Barracks, Templemore
, North Tipperary
in Ireland
. The college has been located in Templemore since 1964.
, Dublin). When in February 1964 training moved to McCan Barracks, it became known as the Garda Training Centre, or locally as the depot.
:
In addition, candidates with other qualifications, particularly technical, may be considered for specific positions where a technical skill set is a prerequisite. This is usually for computer
, finance
and fraud
based branches and investigations.
Various other specialist courses are available for serving force members.
After one year "on the job" each Recruit Garda returned to Templemore for a one month "refresher course". The training was extended to 22 weeks in the late 1970s. The subjects studied were Police Duties, Irish, and Physical Studies, consisting of Physical Training, Drill, Swimming, and First Aid.
Following a major examination of all training in the Garda Siochana a new two-year Student/Probationer Education/Training Programme was introduced for trainee Gardaí in April 1989. A major building programme saw the facilities developed and modernised to the most up to date standards in Europe and the name of the institution changed from the Garda Training Centre to the Garda College.
In 1992 the Garda College was designated by the Minister for Education as an institution which the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) could accredit. The following year, the two year Student/Probationer Education/Training Programme was accredited by the NCEA with the award of a National Diploma in Police Studies. A more recent initiative saw the development of a Bachelor of Arts
(Police Management) degree for Garda Officers of Superintendent rank upwards.
The Garda College has its own nine (9) hole golf course with a recently completed Clubhouse and leisure facility. It also has three tennis courts - designed and floodlit to meet international championship standards. In addition the sportsfield complex comprises full size Gaelic games
, soccer and rugby pitches as well as a modern pavilion with Changing Rooms, First Aid room, Weights Room and facilities for officials.
Campus facilities include a Social Club, Indoor Sports Hall with two Squash Courts and separate handball alley, a 25-metre swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium with accompanying leisure facilities.
The Education Block is purpose built to provide for the education/training requirements of a modern police service. In addition to the technological facilities available, there is also a 'Scenes of Crime Room', a 'Mock' Garda Station, Courtroom, Language Laboratory, classroom facilities and a Library containing over 12,000 books.
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
(Irish police). It is located at McCan Barracks, Templemore
Templemore
Templemore is a town in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty. It is part of the Roman Catholic parish of Templemore, Clonmore and Killea....
, North Tipperary
North Tipperary
North Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-West Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 48% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The college has been located in Templemore since 1964.
History
The training role was previously undertaken at Garda Headquarters (located in the Phoenix ParkPhoenix Park
Phoenix Park is an urban park in Dublin, Ireland, lying 2–4 km west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey. Its 16 km perimeter wall encloses , one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, and since the seventeenth...
, Dublin). When in February 1964 training moved to McCan Barracks, it became known as the Garda Training Centre, or locally as the depot.
Courses offered
Two courses are available, both conferred by the Higher Education and Training Awards CouncilHigher Education and Training Awards Council
The Higher Education and Training Awards Council , the legal successor to the National Council for Educational Awards , grants higher education awards in Ireland in the extra-university system...
:
- Bachelor of Arts (in Police Studies): for fresh recruits. The entry requirements are mainly ageAgeingAgeing or aging is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline...
, characterMoral characterMoral character or character is an evaluation of a particular individual's durable moral qualities. The concept of character can imply a variety of attributes including the existence or lack of virtues such as integrity, courage, fortitude, honesty, and loyalty, or of good behaviors or habits...
, citizenshipCitizenshipCitizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
, educationEducationEducation in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and healthHealthHealth is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
based, competitions for entry are advertised periodically, usually annually and are competitive.
- Bachelor of Arts (in Police Management): for senior officers. The entry requirement is to be a senior manager at superintendent or officer grade. The course's main function is to serve those members with additional skills and training. This is currently being carried out in a hotel in NenaghNenaghNenagh is the county town of North Tipperary in Ireland. It is the administrative centre of North Tipperary and in 2011 it had a recorded population of 7,995. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Ormond Lower...
, County TipperaryCounty TipperaryCounty Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
due to more space being needed for the training of new recruits.
In addition, candidates with other qualifications, particularly technical, may be considered for specific positions where a technical skill set is a prerequisite. This is usually for computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
, finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
and fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
based branches and investigations.
Various other specialist courses are available for serving force members.
Training programme
The training programme for Recruit Gardaí remained similar to that conducted in the Phoenix Park, which provided for 18 weeks training before being allocated to a Garda Station.After one year "on the job" each Recruit Garda returned to Templemore for a one month "refresher course". The training was extended to 22 weeks in the late 1970s. The subjects studied were Police Duties, Irish, and Physical Studies, consisting of Physical Training, Drill, Swimming, and First Aid.
Following a major examination of all training in the Garda Siochana a new two-year Student/Probationer Education/Training Programme was introduced for trainee Gardaí in April 1989. A major building programme saw the facilities developed and modernised to the most up to date standards in Europe and the name of the institution changed from the Garda Training Centre to the Garda College.
In 1992 the Garda College was designated by the Minister for Education as an institution which the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) could accredit. The following year, the two year Student/Probationer Education/Training Programme was accredited by the NCEA with the award of a National Diploma in Police Studies. A more recent initiative saw the development of a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(Police Management) degree for Garda Officers of Superintendent rank upwards.
College Facilities
Following a major building programme in 2001, the College has the capacity to accommodate 520 persons. The College has also expanded its education facilities and included in the new development are three new Lecture Theatres.The Garda College has its own nine (9) hole golf course with a recently completed Clubhouse and leisure facility. It also has three tennis courts - designed and floodlit to meet international championship standards. In addition the sportsfield complex comprises full size Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
, soccer and rugby pitches as well as a modern pavilion with Changing Rooms, First Aid room, Weights Room and facilities for officials.
Campus facilities include a Social Club, Indoor Sports Hall with two Squash Courts and separate handball alley, a 25-metre swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium with accompanying leisure facilities.
The Education Block is purpose built to provide for the education/training requirements of a modern police service. In addition to the technological facilities available, there is also a 'Scenes of Crime Room', a 'Mock' Garda Station, Courtroom, Language Laboratory, classroom facilities and a Library containing over 12,000 books.
Awards
Probationer Gardaí are recognised for effort and endeavour throughout the two year programme and on graduation day the following medals are awarded:- The Gary Sheehan Memorial Medal
- The Gary Sheehan Memorial Medal commemorates Recruit Garda Gary Sheehan who died on duty at Ballinamore, Co Leitrim on 16 December 1983 and is awarded to the best all-round probationer. The recipient will have contributed significantly to life at the Garda College, distinguished himself/herself in the academic field and will have made a significant contribution to the stations and communities in which he/she served. Additionally, the winner will have, by the initiative shown, and leadership qualities so obviously displayed during the training period, won the respect of his/her peers and authorities.
- The Commissioner's Medal
- The Commissioner's Medal is awarded to the Student achieving the highest aggregate marks in academic subjects over Phase I, III and V Education/Training. The winner will have excelled in Legal, Policing and Technical Studies, the Social Sciences, Communications, Physical Education Studies, Gaeilge and Dissertation.
- The Templemore Town Council Medal
- The Templemore Town Council Medal is awarded to the student who throughout the Student/Probationer Education/Training Course has demonstrated insight and imagination in his/her approach to the Social Science Studies Course and has displayed, through innovative and practical involvement in the social affairs of the communities, within which he/she serves, an appreciation of the key social role of the Gardaí at local and/or national level. The winner will also have distinguished himself/herself academically in the Social Science Studies course.