New uniform on the way

The rollout of a new garda uniform is underway across the country, it was announced this week.

The new uniform, gardaí said, is contemporary and incorporates elements such as durability, protection and functionality.

The uniform will consist of a two tone soft shell jacket, a two tone waterproof jacket, a garda blue polo shirt, operational trousers, and practical base layers. The current uniform cap will remain in operation as a unique and distinctive element of the garda uniform.

Over the coming weeks, the new operational uniform will be delivered to more than 13,000 members in garda, sergeant and inspector rank across every garda region, division and district in the country. An extensive delivery schedule is now in place, starting in the Dublin region.

The upgrade is a result of findings in the internal Garda Cultural Audit 2018 which highlighted a desire from frontline gardaí for a new, practical operational uniform. Over 6,500 members of An Garda Síochána contributed to the findings of the Cultural Audit.

The upgrade coincides with the 100 year anniversary of the establishment of An Garda Síochána on 22 February 1922 and is only the third formal upgrade to take place in that time.

In a forward issued to all members of An Garda Síochána, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris wrote: “It is my hope that in receiving this new uniform, it will further enhance your sense of pride in being a member of An Garda Síochána as you go about your day-to-day duties. “Projecting a professional appearance and wearing the uniform of An Garda Síochána with the deep respect it deserves are important because they underscore our overarching mission: Keeping people safe.”

At a later date, the Garda Commissioner will announce a formal ‘go-live’ date when the new uniform will become the operational uniform for daily duties, currently expected to be in March 2022.