According to the Ministry of Justice, more than one in six Garda recruits has not passed the common aptitude tests required to become a member of the military. Jim O’Callaghan TD, justice spokesman for Fianna Foyle, fears tests are too harsh, undermining efforts to scale up Garda’s military after pandemic halts recruitment Said he was doing
He called for a review of the tests, particularly related time limits, as overly stringent physical tests are currently “hindering” efforts to increase Garda’s size to 15,000 members. At a time when “unprecedented” sums were being spent, tests that were inconsistent with international policing norms undermined the force’s ability to grow, he added.
In response to questions from Mr O’Callaghan, Minister of Justice Simon Harris TD (FG) said about 55 of the 315 recruits who had taken physical fitness tests by early December had failed. .
The test consists of a shuttle run or bleep test, during which recruits must run between points within a time limit. He must also perform push-ups, complete an obstacle course, and then perform exercises on his push-pull his machine within a time limit.
Helen McEntee TD (FG), who is currently on maternity leave and temporarily replaced as Minister of Justice by Mr Harris, told Dáil last October that the number of recruits who failed fitness tests was “real”. ,” he said, adding that testing is mandatory. For those who want to become Gardai.
“It’s important that Garda members have a certain level of fitness. We’re facing challenges and we need to make sure we overcome them,” she said at the time.
Last year’s figures look to be improving, with failure rates sometimes reaching 25-30% in recent years. However, a more comprehensive breakdown of last year’s failure and pass rates is needed to make a full assessment.
O’Callaghan said Garda had received €2.14 billion in funding this year, but the standards set for fitness tests, especially the time allowed for completion, were too strict and recruits were excluded from the process. I think .
O’Callaghan pointed out that the obstacle course must be completed three times within 3:20. However, the PSNI’s “similar” rating allowed him 4:30 on the obstacle course, and in Canada, where the test was “similar,” the recruit said he could do 5:30 on the obstacle course and push-and-pull exercises. Allowed.
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