A new look garda uniform
An Garda Síochána brought its new uniform into operation this week marking just the 3rd formal change in 100 years.
The new contemporary uniform became official having been delivered to approximately 13,000 members at 560 garda stations nationwide.
The uniform incorporates elements such as durability, protection and functionality, and consists of a 2 tone soft shell jacket, a 2 tone waterproof jacket, a garda blue polo shirt, operational trousers, and practical base layers.
This is the 1st time that elements of the uniform, other than the uniform cap, will feature the garda crest. The existing uniform cap has remained in operation as a unique and distinctive element of the garda uniform.
Following an internal garda cultural audit in 2018, a desire was identified amongst frontline gardaí for a new, practical operational uniform.
The new uniform is also a key recommendation outlined in the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland Report, ‘A Police Service For Our Future’.
In developing the uniform, An Garda Síochána embarked on a bottom-up collaboration through its uniform committee, including international research and the implementation of a pilot project involving nearly 200 frontline gardaí.
The contract for the manufacture, supply and delivery of the new uniform was signed in February 2021 following collaboration between An Garda Síochána and the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The contract was awarded to James Boylan Safety Ltd (T/A JBS Group), an Irish SME company based in Monaghan.
JBS Group is a privately owned Irish company established in 1944 that specialises in the supply of operational uniforms and protective supplies.
The contract was designed to ensure that the uniform supply chain demonstrated high levels of sustainability where possible by controlling stock to reduce waste, and by avoiding unnecessary obsolescence.
Environmental impacts were also reduced by using a variety of recycled materials and with the provision of an end of life solution for work garments