Relaxing the standard of the Garda fitness test could help tackle the recruitment crisis, Fianna Fáil’s Justice spokesperson has said. 

The State hopes to recruit 1,000 new Gardaí but last year 17% of applicants failed because they were unable to pass a fitness test. 

The Garda Physical Competency Test (PCT) involves a bleeper test, push-ups, an obstacle course and push/ pull strength exercises - all of which must be completed three times in under three minutes and 20 seconds

Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan said that the Government should consider if the test is currently too hard. 

“I just think it’s something that we need to look at because it’s quite a vigorous fitness test,” he told The Hard Shoulder. 

“And particularly if you look at the obstacle course, you can see it’s quite challenging.”

Police applicants in neighbouring jurisdictions also have to pass a fitness test and, although they vary in difficulty, Northern Ireland and Canada give their recruits more time. 

“We need some solution to the Garda recruitment crisis and a 17% failure rate is pretty high,” Deputy O’Callaghan said. 

“And I think that merits looking at this again.” 

'Very reasonable'

Speaking to Newstalk, DCU Professor Niall Moyna said lowering the standard of fitness would be a mistake. 

“The levels we are asking our recruits to attain are certainly very, very reasonable for someone in their 20s, 30s and even someone in their 40s,” he said.

“So, myself, I hope to contact Mr O’Callaghan, and really, I would urge him to take a good look at this, because we want adaptable members of An Garda Síochána who have the fitness level to respond to any incident, at any time.

“That is going to require a minimum level of fitness and certainly, the current standard is the bare minimum.”

Garda immigration officers at Dublin Port. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Garda Representative Association President Brendan O’Conor also said it would be a mistake to lower standards. 

“We don’t believe the solution to the problem with recruitment is to reduce standards,” he said.

“We believe there is a standard that should be achieved and it should be maintained.”

Main image: Gardaí police a march in Dublin. Image: Brendan Donnelly / Alamy