Garda fitness test

2023 - 1 - 18

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Image courtesy of "RTE.ie"

Garda fitness test 'too demanding' - Fianna Fáil TD (RTE.ie)

Fitness tests for those wanting to join the gardaí are too demanding and are blocking a recruitment drive, a Fianna Fáil TD has claimed.

I think the important way is to ensure the fitness tests are actually met." Speaking on RTÉ's News At One, he said: "I don't think the right way to do this is to actually ease the tests. "I am concerned that the fitness test is too demanding, out of step with other jurisdictions and is becoming a growing factor blocking recruitment," he said.

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Image courtesy of "Buzz.ie"

Garda fitness test is 'too demanding', Fianna Fáil TD suggests (Buzz.ie)

Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan believes the failure rate is becoming a growing stumbling block for recruitment.

"Fianna Fáil in government will continue to ensure that An Garda Síochána have the resources needed to keep our communities safe, as demonstrated by the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion. Canadian Cadets undertake a Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation which again is similar to our assessment but doesn't have the bleep test component and allows 5 minutes 30 seconds for obstacle course and push and pull. "It is my understanding that pass requirements for the shuttle run, and push-ups differ between sexes and age brackets. [READ NEXT - Quick-thinking Gardai hailed as heroes after saving three-month- old baby girl's life](https://www.buzz.ie/news/irish-news/quick-thinking-gardai-hailed-heroes-28941673) [READ NEXT - Gardaì travel on buses to west Tallaght to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area](https://www.buzz.ie/news/irish-news/garda-travel-buses-west-tallaght-28974311) [READ NEXT - Garda checkpoint: Driver pulled over twice in 15 minutes for committing same road offence](https://www.buzz.ie/news/irish-news/garda-checkpoint-driver-pulled-over-28893419) "The PSNI physical assessment for example is similar to the An Garda Síochána assessment but allows 4 minutes 30 seconds for the obstacle course. [Fianna Fáil](https://www.buzz.ie/all-about/fianna-fail) TD for Dublin Bay South, had asked Minister for Justice [Simon Harris](https://www.buzz.ie/news/irish-news/andrew-tate-influence-teenage-boys-28931521) for clarification on the number of Garda recruits who failed the required fitness test last year.

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Image courtesy of "Dublin Live"

Garda fitness test 'too demanding' as almost one-sixth of trainees fail (Dublin Live)

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan said the level of fitness test failures is "affecting the drive to boost falling garda numbers"

"I am concerned that the fitness test is too demanding, out of step with other jurisdictions and is becoming a growing factor blocking recruitment. Deputy O'Callaghan said: "It is my understanding that pass requirements for the shuttle run, and push-ups differ between sexes and age brackets. [ Fianna Fail](https://www.dublinlive.ie/all-about/fianna-fail) TD believes the time limits placed on trainees to complete the PCT is contributing to the failure of meeting recruitment targets, and this "should be reviewed as a matter of urgency". [ An Garda Siochana](https://www.dublinlive.ie/all-about/an-garda-siochana) is composed of: [ garda ](https://www.dublinlive.ie/all-about/an-garda-siochana)numbers". [garda](https://www.dublinlive.ie/all-about/an-garda-siochana) fitness test is affecting recruitment efforts for the force, a Government TD has said.

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Image courtesy of "Newstalk"

'These are all simple exercises' - Garda fitness test the 'bare ... (Newstalk)

DCU Professor Niall Moyna was speaking after Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan claimed the test was too demanding – and said it was blocking the Garda recruitment ...

“I think anyone who is committed and driven and wants to be a member of the force I think can possibly increase their fitness to achieve that level,” he said, “That is going to require a minimum level of fitness and certainly, the current standard is the bare minimum.” The fitness test for people trying to join the Gardaí is the “bare minimum” they should face, according to a fitness expert.

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Image courtesy of "thejournal.ie"

Gardaí say standards 'must be maintained' in fitness tests in wake of ... (thejournal.ie)

Fianna Fáil Justice spokesman Jim O'Callaghan has suggested that the standards were too onerous for candidates.

”The Government has allocated an unprecedented budget of €2.14 billion to An Garda Síochána this year. Despite assurances of a massive recruitment drive just 25 gardaí are in training at present. Similar tests are carried out in the UK, Australia and other jurisdictions. “Members of An Garda Síochána, are encouraged and expected to maintain their fitness and health for long term effectiveness and physical fitness assessments are part of requirements for entry into and retention in certain specialist roles within An Garda Síochána,” the spokesperson added. A garda spokesperson said that garda applicants were required to “be aerobically fit” so that they can sustain the training programme in the Garda College and carry out the duties assigned to them. “I believe that the solution is not to in any way reduce standards but to ensure that sufficient numbers of applicants are presented to an Garda Síochána for screening and vetting.

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Image courtesy of "Highland Radio"

GRA President says Templemore fitness tests shouldn't be made ... (Highland Radio)

The Garda Representative Association says the recruitment process for the force needs to be improved, and there should be no lowering of standards.

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Image courtesy of "Extra.ie"

Almost A Fifth Of Garda Applicants Fail The Fitness Test (Extra.ie)

Strict fitness tests for aspiring gardaí are 'blocking' the force's recruitment targets, Fianna Fáil has warned.

The PSNI physical assessment is similar to the An Garda Síochána assessment, but allows four minutes and 30 seconds for the obstacle course. The Physical Competence Test mimics an area of requirement for garda recruitment. 'It is important that members of the Garda have a certain level of fitness. By comparison, only 29 of the 95 men who attempted the test in that time failed. There is no time limit for the push-ups. In the age bracket of 18-25, males are required to attain a score of 8.8 and females at least 7.6.

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Image courtesy of "The Irish Sun"

I tried a garda fitness test after failure rates shock, I surprised myself ... (The Irish Sun)

A FORMER top cop has dismissed concerns that the garda physical test is too tough on recruits and said: Some young people just aren't fit enough.Fig.

He said: “The Government has allocated an unprecedented budget of €2.14 billion to An Garda Síochána this year. He added: “It is my understanding that pass requirements for the shuttle run, and push-ups differ between sexes and age brackets. His company helps gardai and members of the emergency services maintain their fitness. - My first task was the bleep test - the name alone would transport anyone to the misery of their school PE hall. And that requires a fit and robust police force. This was a tough test as I have no experience in running, but I ended up passing with a score of exactly 6.6. It can be a tough job.” “I believe that the time limits we are placing on trainees to complete the PCT is contributing to the failure of meeting recruitment targets, and this should be reviewed as a matter of urgency.” Following a two hour break, trainees must then overcome an obstacle course and the Push–Pull machine, which recreates a physical row. I also passed this section, to my surprise. He added: “Consistent training is going to help every aspect of life and if you are in a role like a garda where there is a physical side to it, I think it would be fair to say that it would it only benefit them to be doing training throughout their career. “A lot of the job of being a garda is helping people.

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