Contemporary, durable, and functional.

Those are the three words that best describe the new Garda uniform set to be delivered to frontline operational Gardaí this week.

The new operational uniform, which, as more than one social media user has pointed out, have a distinctly “Australian vibe” will be delivered to over 13,000 uniform members of An Garda Síochána of Garda, sergeant and inspector rank across every Garda region, division, district and in excess of 560 Garda stations nationwide before the end of the month.

The Garda Commissioner will then announce a formal ‘go-live’ date when this new uniform will become the operational uniform for daily duties, currently expected to be in March 2022.

As An Garda Síochána approaches the 100th anniversary of its establishment, this is only the third time in that century that a formal upgrade of the Garda uniform has taken place.

The new uniform will consist of a two-tone softshell jacket, a waterproof jacket, a Garda blue polo shirt, operational trousers and practical base layers. The current uniform cap remains in operation.

“For the first time, the Garda Crest will be an appropriate feature of our operational uniform,” said Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

“We are all working to ensure that Ireland’s national police and security service remains best placed to meet the needs of an evolving society, and embracing this re-designed, modern uniform is a visual representation of a new era in policing.”