The challenges and advantages of being a Garda; Robin Jose, the first Indian to join the force opens up

While Robin Jose walks through the streets or does patrolling in the car, the people of Bandon sometimes look at Robin and wonder, who is he? Being the first Indian officer in An Gardai Siochana, this was the response Robin used to get in the beginning of the career in 2018. And he doesn’t complain about that, because becoming part of police force in any country for migrants is not so popular, especially in Ireland. With time Robin became a familiar face of Garda in the area and he could assist the public in various challenging situations so far.Robin is a native of Kottayam district of the state of Kerala in India. He and wife Ans landed in Ireland in 2011. They resided 3 years in Cashel and then moved to Cork where Robin started working in retail sector. Ans had also started her career in the nursing field. During the time Robin had no idea about the police force in Ireland and never even dreamed of becoming a part of it. It was a casual suggestion from Ans in 2016 turned his mind towards applying for Garda. The written test was not a chalenge, but the physical test stood really a hurdle. Knowledge in technology too was a parameter. Passing all those, he went through rigorous training at the Garda College in Templemore, Tipperary. During those days, his only matter of concern was staying away from the family. Wife Ans and three little children meant everything to him. But that also he managed as Garda would allow married trainees to visit their families for one night in every week.After the successful completion of initial training of 34 weeks, Robin Jose was sent as a Probationer Garda officer. The period was 72 weeks and at last he came out as a Garda officer in 2018. He was then appointed in Bandon Garda Station in Cork, the same station where he did the probation.Having worked for more than 2 years in Bandon, Robin says he enjoys working as a Garda officer. Also unlike Kerala, the crime rates are pretty low and the main issues in Ireland are about public order, thefts and domestic violence. Garda is more like a service than power. So basically the force is unarmed, says Robin. Sometimes people get surprised to see a brown man walking in Garda uniform as something they would never expect. Robin was a little uncomfortable with that in the beginning but now he enjoys the look in their eyes.Robin also urges the migrants to become a part of Gardai. Migrants are particularly reluctant to join the force and the primary reason is lack of awareness. He then went on to say that if you lived legally 5 years in Ireland, you could qualify to apply for the Job. Irish citizenship is not a mandatory criteria to join the force.Robin lives at Wilton in Co Cork with wife Ans and children Leanna, Alex and Tereza. Every day is like a new beginning where we are unaware of what may come across the job, says Robin. That’s what makes him trilled about being a Garda personnel. Robin also aims promotion within the force which ranks from Sergeant, Inspector and Superintendent to the head of the force, Garda Commissioner. For a man with this grit and determination, even the coveted Garda commissioner post is not far away. Hope Robin Jose will make all the Indian immigrants cherish in the years to follow.

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