The Garda College

The Garda College is the national centre for police training, development and learning within the Irish State. It is a modern campus structure on eight acres within the town of Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

What to expect when you start your Garda training   

The B.A. in Applied Policing is the Foundation Programme for Garda Trainees. This Training Programme is delivered over 104 weeks leading to a B.A. in Applied Policing. The initial period of 34 weeks including two weeks annual leave takes place at The Garda College. Subsequent training takes place predominantly in selected Garda Divisions.

The B.A. in Applied Policing programme adopts a hybrid problem-based learning approach. Students will learn in small groups through engagement with realistic policing scenarios. At the outset, students will be given an authentic policing problem and will be required to work within their groups to resolve the issue. This methodology emphasises the development of ‘learning to learn’ skills, the development of reflective practice and supports the transition into learning in an operational policing environment.

The new programme has progressed from subject areas and is organised around thematic modules reflecting the operational roles and responsibilities of a member of An Garda Síochána. The students will cover seven modules on Phase I:

1. Foundations of Policing – This module provides students with an overview of the policing function. Students are introduced to the organisation and its role in the criminal justice system. Students will also acquire the generic skills to be utilised throughout the remainder of their training.

2. Professional Competence – This module aims to develop the responsibility for improving their personal and professional knowledge, skills, values and behaviours required to provide a professional policing service.

3. Crime & Incident Policing – This module aims to allow students to gain the knowledge and practical skills to manage a wide variety of crime and policing incidents.

4. Policing with Communities – This module aims to give students the personal and professional expertise to positively police a modern, diverse and bilingual community, whilst being aware of the needs of its vulnerable members.

5. Traffic Policing – This module aspires to give students the knowledge and skills required to effectively police traffic issues (checkpoints, drink/drug driving etc) to considerably reduce the incidents of fatal and serious injuries to improve road safety.

6. Station Roles & Responsibilities – This module aims to develop the students capabilities in all roles linked with Garda station duties, including prisoner management.

7. Officer & Public Safety – This module develops the students physical competence through practical skills (retractable baton, hinge handcuffs, OC (pepper) spray and police self defence.

The Garda College LMS

The Garda LMS is a learning management system or an e-Learning platform which combines and enhances the traditional learning environment in an online setting. This functionality includes content management, email, discussion, calendar and chat room to enhance teacher to trainee communication. The Garda LMS is a single robust, secure and integrated system which allows students and staff to participate in online training courses using the GardaIS system and personal laptops or tablets which gives 24/7 worldwide access.  The Garda LMS creates effective online learning communities while complimenting and enhancing face-to-face lecturing in the Garda Síochána College. There are in excess of 7,300 Garda Síochána staff and students enrolled in numerous training programmes and it is intended to eventually provide all Garda members with access to the Garda LMS. Programmes currently utilising the Garda LMS are:

    • The B.A. in Applied Policing (Foundation Training Programme)    

    • Level 2 & 3 Garda Síochána Interviewing Model    

    • Senior Investigating Officers (SIO) Training    

    • Ceremonial Unit Training    

    • Command & Control Dispatchers Courses    

    • Crime Scene Examiners Courses   ��

    • Forensic Photography Courses    

    • Policing & Emotional Intelligence Training    

    • Promotion Developmental Programmes