'modernisation' Gardaí welcome 'practical and progressive' new uniform

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) have welcomed the new “practical and progressive” Garda uniforms.

An Garda Síochána today launched their new uniform, which will be provided to more than 13,000 officers from this week.

It marks just the third uniform upgrade in the history of An Garda Síochána after a 2018 audit found members of the force preferred a new “practical operational uniform.”

The new operational uniform will be delivered to over 13,000 members of An Garda Síochána across every Garda Region, Division, District, and more than 560 Garda stations nationwide.

Reacting to the launch, GRA President Frank Thornton said: “While our members have yet to receive delivery of the new uniforms, the feedback from the divisions where it has been piloted has been positive.

“The Garda Representative Association would welcome any moves to make our uniforms more comfortable as well as practical, progressive and suitable to modern policing.”

The new uniform will consist of a two-tone soft shell jacket, waterproof jacket, garda blue polo shirt instead of a collared shirt, operational trousers and practical base layers.

For the first time ever, the Garda Operational Uniform will feature the Garda Crest, which had only previously appeared on the uniform cap.

The current uniform cap remains in operation as a unique and distinctive element of the Garda uniform.

Gardaí in the Dublin Region will be seen in the uniform first, before it’s rolled out nationwide in the coming weeks.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the uniform change comes during “a major process of modernisation” in the Gardaí and the new uniform will “now reflect this important transition.”

“The new uniform is contemporary, and incorporates elements such as durability, protection and functionality,” he added.