Garda Síochána - national police force

The Garda Síochána (also commonly referred to as the Gardaí) is the national police force in the Republic of Ireland. The name Garda Síochána in English means 'guardians of the peace'.

The Garda Síochána has responsibility for carrying out all policing duties in the Irish State. It also provides State security services and carries out criminal and traffic law enforcement.

The Gardaí have many powers including the powers to arrest you in some cases if they suspect you of committing a criminal offence. They also have the power to search you or your property in some cases. Uniformed Gardaí do not routinely carry firearms.

The Minister for Justice must account to the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) for the performance of the Garda Síochána. The main functions of the Gardaí and its organisational structure are currently set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This legislation will be replaced by the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

There are over 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána.

A Garda Commissioner appointed by the Government is responsible for the day-to-day running of the force.

The Commissioner is assisted by a Deputy Commissioner and a Chief Administrative Officer. Below them are a number of Assistant Commissioners who are responsible for geographical regions, or critical portfolios, such as National Support Services or Traffic.

Below Assistant Commissioner the Garda rank structure is as follows:

• Chief Superintendent
• Superintendent
• Inspector
• Sergeant
• Garda
• Reserve Garda

Garda regions and districts

Ireland is divided into 4 Garda regions, each of which has a regional Assistant Commissioner.

The 4 regions are:

• Dublin Metropolitan Region
• North Western Region
• Eastern Region
• Southern Region

Each region is divided into divisions.

A Chief Superintendent is in charge of each division. Each division is divided into districts, each of which has a superintendent in charge. Districts are divided into sub-districts, each normally the responsibility of a sergeant.

Each sub-district usually has only 1 Garda station. The number of Gardaí in a station can vary from 3 to 100 Gardaí.

Each district has a superintendent in charge (also known as the District Officer). The superintendent has specific functions such as granting of licences for the sale of alcohol and issuing firearms certificates.

You can view an organisational chart for An Garda Síochána (pdf).

Garda Reserve

The Garda Reserve is an unpaid body of voluntary members and can provide extra personnel when required. Reserve Gardaí have certain Garda powers while on duty and perform their policing duties under the supervision of, and supported by, regular Gardaí.

Their main role is to do local patrols and crime reduction initiatives, targeted at specific local problem areas.

Information on the Garda Reserve is available on the Garda website.

If you are a victim of a crime, you should contact the Gardaí. The emergency services telephone number is 999 or 112.

In less urgent situations you should contact your local Garda station. There is more information about reporting a crime to the Gardaí in our document on reporting a crime.

Crimestoppers is run by the Gardaí and the business community. You can give information to the Gardaí about any criminal investigation using the confidential freephone number 1800 25 00 25. This confidential freephone number is staffed by specially trained detective Gardaí.

You can find more information on reporting a crime on the Garda website.

Read more about reporting crime in Ireland.

You have the right to be told whether the Gardaí have any information about you, under the GDPR and the Data Protection Acts. You also have a right to a copy of that information.

However, if the Gardaí are holding information about you and giving the information to you would be likely to prejudice the prevention, detection and investigation of crime or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, you will not be given access to this information.

I need to get a Police Certificate

Police Certificates are often required before you can apply for a visa to visit or travel to other countries. There is more information about how to get a Police Certificate here.

Garda Vetting

If you are working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults in Ireland, you must be vetted by the Gardaí. This process checks if you have a criminal record or any history that might pose a threat to vulnerable people. You can find information on Garda vetting.

You can read more about access to Garda records.

Oversight of the Gardaí

An independent Policing Authority oversees the performance of the Garda Síochána. The Authority members approve a 3 year strategy statement and give advice to the Minster for Justice. They oversee the Gardaí’s compliance with their Code of Ethics for the Garda Síochána (pdf). The Policing Authority is established under the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 (pdf).

Complaint or enquiries

If you are not fully satisfied with the assistance you have received from members of the Garda Síochána or if you have any enquiries or suggestions, you should contact your local Garda station and ask for the officer in charge or contact the Garda Victim Liaison Office.

You can make a complaint about a member of the Gardaí to the Garda Ombudsman. The Garda Ombudsman deals with complaints that contain allegations of criminal offences and improper conduct. For example, if a Garda is intoxicated on duty. For example, if a Garda is intoxicated on duty.

For further information about the Gardaí, you should contact:

Should you wish to speak directly with the Gardaí, contact your local Garda station.

To contact the Garda Victim Liaison Office:

You can make complaints about the Gardaí to: