A new uniform for members of An Garda Síochána becomes operational today.
This change, during the 100th anniversary year of the founding of the organistion, is only the third time that An Garda Síochána has undertaken a formal change of the Garda uniform.
New uniforms have been distributed to approximately 13,000 members of An Garda Síochána of Garda, Sergeant and Inspector rank at in excess of 560 Garda stations.
The new uniform retains the existing cap but the rest of the uniform is changed significantly to incorporate elements such as durability, protection and functionality.
The new uniform will see the end of the shirt and tie except for formal occasions and Gardai will now have options to wear a Two tone Soft Shell Jacket, a Two Tone Waterproof Jacket, Garda Blue Polo Shirt and Operational Trousers with cargo pockets.
The uniform for senior officers, from Superintendent up to Commissioner, remains the same.
This is the first time that elements of the uniform, other than the uniform cap, will feature the Garda Crest. The uniforms are produced by James Boylan Safety Ltd (T/A JBS Group), an Irish SME company based in Monaghan.
A key finding of the internal Garda Cultural Audit 2018 was a desire from front-line Gardaí for a new, practical operational uniform.
An Garda Síochána has previously updated it’s uniform policy to embrace the wearing of official headwear for religious and cultural reasons and beliefs including Turban, Kufi, Topi, Kippah, or Hijab.
