Nearly 500 members of An Garda Síochána have left the force in the last four years

Nearly 500 members of An Garda Síochána have left the force in the last four years in what has been described as “a management crises, not a retention or recruitment crisis”. 

However, a large number of these retired personnel go on to a second career and have many valuable and transferrable skills gained through their time in service.

Overall, the number of members of An Garda Síochána who left in 2023 was 164.

This was a large increase on the 2022 figure of 109, and substantially higher than the numbers for 2021 which was 94 and the number in 2020 which was 70.

As reported in July 2023 more than 5,000 personnel have left the defence forces in the last seven years.

By May 2023 the Army, Air Corps and Naval Services had just 7,764 staff.

This figure is almost 2,000 short of the recommended target of 9,500 personnel required to adequately perform all duties.

The figures have been highlighted in advance of Out of the Blue Training’s Career Horizons Expo, which takes place on Thursday April 18, 10am – 5pm at The City North Hotel & Conference Centre.

The expo is set to be Ireland’s first ever Career Fair for Emergency Services & Military Personnel who are coming up to retirement.

Since being established in November 2023, Out of the Blue Training & Employment Services, has provided support, advice and training to over 150 emergency services and military personnel who are retiring to help them succeed in their new career.

Speaking in advance of the expo, Out of the Blue Founder, former Garda Stephen Moore does not believe An Garda Síochána has a retention or recruitment crisis, instead he believes there is a management crisis.

“In other jurisdictions, police services have acknowledged that there are major issues with retaining staff.

“They have reacted swiftly and have recruited retention staff to assist those looking to leave and to try and persuade them to stay.

“Many people I have dealt with want to remain Gardaí but they feel they have to leave for a plethora of reasons ranging from lack of management support, flexibility when it comes to personal reasons such as children or sick parents, long travel distances to and from work, constantly being contacted by supervisors when on rest days, lack of professional growth within the system, fear of making decisions which can lead to disciplinary repercussions, being micro-managed, and the general feeling of being unsupported in work.”

Stephen believes that many of these issues can be dealt with easily if Garda Management truly engages with members who are feeling the pressure, be empathetic and try to resolve issues before they grow and expand and properly utilise the functions of the Garda wellbeing structure.

Stephen believes that a handshake and the words, ‘we are sorry to lose you’ does not cut it anymore.

“Everybody in their career wants to feel wanted, want to feel supported, want opportunities to grow, are looking for work-life harmony and want to feel safe, secure and supported, at the moment very few members of An Garda Síocháná feel that.

“For those who go on to new careers they prove themselves to be dedicated and professional, and working in service has made them adaptable and resilient.” said Stephen.

Out of the Blue Training was founded by Stephen Moore, who has 20 years of experience working in An Garda Síochána, where he trained over 2,000 Gardaí in interview techniques.

He is also the author of three books: The Guardians – 100 years of An Garda Síochána, Pearse Street 100 and A History of Kevin Street Garda Station.

Stephen will be launching Out of the Blue Recruitment in May.

The Out of the Blood Career Horizons Expo will take place on Thursday April 18, 10am – 5pm at The City North Hotel & Conference Centre.

Visit: https://www.outofthebluetraining.com/