National: 'Overwhelming response' - Ireland may lose gardaí to Australia due to successful police expo

An Australian police force has come to Ireland in an attempt to lure gardaí abroad. 

South Australia Police (SAPOL) spoke to interested gardaí at the Down Under Live expo in Dublin yesterday (March 20) about why they should leave An Garda Síochána and move to the other side of the world. 

According to the Irish Independent, a SAPOL police chief inspector told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that the response from gardaí has been "overwhelming". 

Chief Inspector Scott Collins said, "We have had an overwhelming response to our campaign so far from the gardaí and the UK as well. 

"We believe that the training that the gardaí receive and the way they go about their policing would really complement our workforce and community too." 

Gardaí who make the switch can expect a salary of approximately €58,000 to €67,000 per annum. 

In an Instagram post published this week, SAPOL posted a picture of an Australian sunset with the caption: "G'day mate! Fancy a change of scene... to South Australia, perhaps? South Australia Police is now recruiting Police Officers/Gardaí from across the UK and Ireland! 

"Our recruiting efforts are fair dinkum, as we are travelling to you!⁣ Meet us at the Down Under Live expo or our exclusive event in London." 

The recruiters are also running the expo in Birmingham on March 23, and London on March 25. 

They continued: "Join us at any of the above to have a yarn, it'll be heaps good! Register now and receive an exclusive bonus. Posting this from where you'd rather be. 

"Or if you're ready to be a happy lil Vegemite, apply now. If you didn't understand some of the above, come along to the expos and we'll teach you all the Aussie slang." 

Gardaí who make the move will be reimbursed for visa expenses, and allocated six weeks annual leave. They will also be able to earn while they learn during fully paid streamlined transition training courses. 

Further salary increases can be expected upon permanent appointment (dependent upon experience and classification), as well as additional financial and flexibility incentives for regional postings. 

The listing reads: "SA is home to Australia's 'best beach', the country's finest wine, outback mountain ranges and a thriving arts scene. If you're chasing a Mediterranean climate, friendly, laid back lifestyle, with a much lower cost of living than our eastern counterparts - that's us! 

"SA makes a great place to raise a family and expand your policing journey, while enjoying a competitive salary and limitless opportunities for learning and career growth." 

Currently, new Gardaí receive a salary of €35,322 per year, which rises to €55,592 per year after 8 years up to a maximum of €59,842 per year after 19 years. 

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