Scores of Irish police are quitting ireland and taking offers to join Australian police forces where they are better compensated.
In an article in the Irish Times, Peter Crosbie, a former garda in Dublin, tells how he emigrated to Australia to join the country's police force.
"I spent seven years in the Garda in Dublin, but last year morale in the force was at an all-time low," he said. "Pay packets were shrinking, resources were being cut, and for me, the writing was on the wall about what I would have to do to improve things for myself and my family."
The 34-year-old Crosbie said he always planned to move to Australia, where he'd met his wife Janey on a backpacking trip in 2003, but thought it would be when he was closer to retirement. The couple decided to pack up and move to Australia last December.
"The Western Australian Police have a walk-in recruitment centre in Joondalup in Perth, which is their equivalent of Templemore. I explained I was an ex-garda, and they were very enthusiastic. They know members of the Garda Síochána are well trained," he said. "I resigned from my career break with the Garda and signed up for a three-month transitional course to join the force here, which I’m halfway through now."
He said the better pay and the higher quality of life is attracting many others who have served on Ireland's police force.
"I have met at least 20 ex-gardaí working out here in Perth so far who have left the force and emigrated to Australia. Some of them are senior sergeants, from Clondalkin, Crumlin and Tallaght, and they are all doing well for themselves."
As the population of Western Australia grows by more than 1,000 people a week, putting pressure on the resources of its police force, the country's government has promised to employ an additional 500 officers by 2014. According to commissioner Karl O'Callaghan, this will involve "agressively" recruiting officers from overseas.
O'Callaghan said the force is looking to hire officers who have already served in countries such as the UK and Ireland to save time and training costs.
Officers from other countries must complete a 13-week transition course at the WA Police Academy in Joondalup before joining the force.
Irish people with permanent residency in Australia can apply to the WA Police at any time. See stepforward.wa.gov.au for more information.
11 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.IrelandNorth | Oct 24, 2012, 07:39 AM EDT
When Ireland as a whole was under British jurisdiction, they used to transport convicts beyond the realm to the penal colony of Australian. Now that the majority of Ireland is under native Irish administration, and we're economically transporting Gardaí downunder. Although, better to emigrate for better weather (if not conditions?) than to be convicted for the heinous crime of stealing a stale loaf of bread whilst on the brink of starvation. PS Lower cost of living would justify moving een for lower wages, but better weather.
MOTOPAC | Oct 22, 2012, 02:55 PM EDT
Will they take a 52-year-old from New Orleans?
MOTOPAC | Oct 22, 2012, 02:54 PM EDT
Hell, I'll move to Australia!
greensod | Oct 22, 2012, 02:15 PM EDT
Just another example of the poor job this Irish Government is doing.
RichardP | Oct 22, 2012, 01:39 PM EDT
@Silling - how hilarious. Next time you need help, call a stupid comedian - call home.
mairint | Oct 22, 2012, 12:58 PM EDT
Here in Australia the police are leaving the force in big numbers. Too much danger and not enough back up by lawmakers. Daily shootings, bikie gangs, home invasions, middle Eastern gangs, and for those in Sydney and area, the second highest cost of living in the world (next to Tokyo).
Silling | Oct 22, 2012, 12:06 PM EDT
When a New Zealander emigrates to Australia, the IQ levels go up both sides of the Tasman. Irish Gardai will be suitably thick for down under.
michaelidaho | Oct 21, 2012, 07:08 PM EDT
I am surprised they do not try to get a job in Massachusetts. Most police, especially state troopers, make well over $100,000. Many accomplish this fairly easily with overtime pay on paid construction details. Basically, they just sit in their cruisers, play with their smart phones or else simply stand around and watch the construction workers.
bobby | Oct 21, 2012, 04:12 PM EDT
Garda pay €42,000, with overtime many earn €60,000 plus.
Curitiba | Oct 21, 2012, 01:16 PM EDT
Gardaí must be badly paid if they are considering joining the Australian forces. When I lived there, an ex-NSW policeman told me he was only getting about AUD$600 a week as a constable. A lot of British police joined the South Australian force, but a lot of them left again and rejoined their old British forces because the salary was nowhere near as good as the one they were getting in the UK. The cost of living in Australia is very high so $600 wouldn't go very far.
thorpeman | Oct 21, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT
Bit Ironic moving to another Realm of the Queen & then swearing an Oath of Allegiance to the crown when you come from a country that said burn everything English except the coal?