Join Ireland's Airport Police: Training, Roles, And Requirements

The Airport Police Service (APS) in Ireland is a small private police force responsible for providing security at Dublin, Cork, and Shannon airports. To become an airport police officer, candidates must be over 18, employed by the Airport Authority, and meet recruitment criteria similar to those for entrants to the Gardaí or Dublin Fire Brigade. While prior security experience is not required, new recruits undergo rigorous physical, psychometric, and competency tests, and full training is provided. Officers have powers of arrest, search, and detention, and their duties include handling public order issues, detecting drug offences, and ensuring the safety of passengers and staff.

Requirements and training

The Airport Police Service (APS) is a small private police force that provides security and aviation security at Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, and Shannon Airport in Ireland. To become an APS officer, you must meet certain requirements and undergo rigorous training.

Requirements:

• Be over the age of 18.
• Be employed by the Airport Authority.
• Meet recruitment criteria similar to those required for the Gardaí or Dublin Fire Brigade.
• Have a valid driver's license (for some roles).
• Pass a strict airport security vetting procedure, including a 5-year background check, or hold a current airside pass.
• Physical fitness and agility are often required for security screening and baggage handling roles.

Training:

New recruits undergo a rigorous process with physical, psychometric, and competency tests to prepare them for various situations that can arise at the airport. Full training is provided, including a comprehensive induction and ongoing assessment/exams for IAA certification. Training covers:

• Operating high-tech security equipment such as X-ray machines and explosive trace detectors.
• Screening passengers, staff, contractors, and visitors, including hand searches and use of walk-through metal detectors.
• Screening cabin baggage and hand searches.
• Safety procedures for handling sharp items, liquids, and gels recovered during screening.
• Regulatory requirements, such as volume limits for liquids, to inform passengers during screening.
• Managing access to security-restricted areas by examining boarding passes, access permits, and escort passes.
• Responding to security incidents, emergency situations, and fire safety procedures.
• Airport emergency response procedures, including mass cancellation plans and adverse weather protocols.
• First aid and resuscitation skills, as officers are equipped with resuscitation masks and basic first aid kits.
• Driving training to operate emergency response vehicles.
• Powers of detention and intervention, granted by the Minister for Transport under the Air Navigation Act.
• Powers of arrest, search, and detention, similar to those of the Gardaí, within the airport premises and other specified areas.

The APS also offers excellent opportunities for career progression and skills development, with ongoing training provided to ensure officers are prepared for any challenges they may face in their roles.

Powers and duties

The Airport Police Service (APS) is a small private police force in Ireland with a wide range of powers and duties. APS officers have the powers of arrest, search, and detention, which are granted by the Minister for Transport under the Air Navigation Act. They can stop and search people, their property, vehicles, aircraft, and cargo within an airport. They can also demand a person's name, address, and identity documents, as well as detain individuals if necessary.

One of the primary duties of APS officers is to ensure public safety and maintain public order within their jurisdiction, which includes Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, and Shannon Airport. They are responsible for preventing, detecting, and responding to minor criminal acts, such as assault, theft, fraud, and breaches of public order. APS officers also work to safeguard the airport from any acts of unlawful interference with civil aviation.

In the event of a major emergency or incident, the APS plays an integral role as a secondary responding agency, working alongside other emergency services such as the Airport Fire & Rescue Service and the Gardaí. While they do not have powers of investigation, APS officers can undertake the initial response to criminal offences and must report any incidents to the Gardai.

APS officers are also responsible for handling members of the public with mental health issues, providing a more humane approach to policing. They work closely with the aviation security section within the Department of Transport to identify and respond to emerging threats, ensuring the safety of passengers and aircraft.

The APS has a variety of specialised units, including the Airport Police Dog Unit, Investigation Support Section, and Access Identification Control Unit, which support the main duties of the force. Overall, the APS plays a crucial role in maintaining security and public safety within Irish airports, utilising their powers to effectively respond to a wide range of situations and incidents.

Application process

The Airport Police Service (APS) is a small private police force that provides security at Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, and Shannon Airport in Ireland. To become a member of the APS, applicants must meet certain requirements and go through a rigorous selection process. Here is an overview of the application process for becoming an airport police officer in Ireland:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age: Applicants must be over the age of 18.
• Employment: To be eligible to apply, individuals must be employed by the Airport Authority. This means that recruitment is currently conducted internally.
• Education: While no specific educational requirements are mentioned, applicants should ensure they meet the necessary academic standards for police officers in Ireland.
• Physical Fitness: As airport police work can be physically demanding, applicants must be in good physical condition and may be required to pass a physical fitness test.
• Psychometric and Competency Assessments: New recruits undergo rigorous testing, including psychometric and competency assessments, to ensure they are prepared for various situations that may arise at the airport.

Application and Selection Process:

• Job Openings: Keep an eye on the career pages of the Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, and Shannon Airport websites for job openings in the APS.
• Online Application: Complete the online application form for the APS role, providing all the necessary information and meeting the eligibility criteria.
• Assessments: Applicants will be invited to participate in a series of assessments, which may include physical tests, psychometric evaluations, and competency exams. These assessments ensure that candidates possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and physical abilities to handle the demands of the job.
• Interview: Successful applicants may be invited for an interview with the APS hiring panel or senior officers. This interview will assess the candidate's suitability for the role, including their motivation, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• Background Checks: As part of the selection process, applicants can expect to undergo comprehensive background checks, including criminal record checks and security vetting. These checks ensure that candidates meet the standards of integrity and trustworthiness required for the role.
• Medical Examination: Candidates may also be required to undergo a medical examination to ensure they are in good health and physically capable of performing the duties of an airport police officer.
• Training: Once selected, recruits will undergo comprehensive training to prepare them for their roles. This training will cover various aspects of airport policing, including security procedures, emergency response, and aviation-specific protocols.
• Appointment: After successful completion of the training program, recruits will be appointed as authorised officers of the APS and issued with identification cards. They will then be assigned to their respective airport and begin their duties under the supervision of senior officers.

The application and selection process for the APS is designed to identify candidates with the right combination of physical fitness, mental aptitude, and interpersonal skills. By undergoing rigorous assessments and interviews, the APS ensures that only the most qualified and capable individuals are chosen to serve as airport police officers in Ireland.

Salary and benefits

The Dublin Airport Authority (daa) offers a range of benefits to its employees, including competitive salaries, an award-winning pension scheme, career progression opportunities, skills development, attractive annual leave, and employee assistance programmes for career development and work-life balance.

The daa is an equal opportunities employer, celebrating diversity and inclusion and recognising the value that difference can bring. They offer a dynamic, customer-focused work environment with a focus on delivering excellent customer service.

For Airport Search Unit roles, the hourly rate is €17.47, revised to €19.22 per hour from 23 March 2025. These roles offer a permanent contract of 35-40 hours per week, with a minimum guarantee of 35 hours. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive induction and training programme with ongoing assessment/exams for IAA certification
• Continuous focus on training and development with excellent opportunities for career progression
• Subsidised staff meals and free coffee, tea, and water across break rooms
• Free car parking for working hours with a staff shuttle bus available
• Staff discount at "The Loop and theloop.ie" with 10% off purchases and frequent staff discounts across Dublin Airport and other discounts across the campus
• Various wellbeing initiatives: complementary flu vaccines, health clinics, EAP assistance programme, Focus on You Wellbeing services, access to an on-site gym, and swimming pool in ALSAA
• Travel Tax Saver Scheme and the Bike to Work Scheme

In addition, the daa offers a range of other roles with varying salaries and benefits, including operational staff, retail sales professionals, and more.

The Airport Police Service (APS) is a small private police force responsible for security at Dublin, Cork, and Shannon Airports. While specific salary information for APS officers is not readily available, it is known that the APS is established, funded, and maintained by the airport authorities, which are owned by the Irish Government. The APS plays an integral role in ensuring the safety and security of passengers and aircraft, and its officers undergo rigorous training to prepare them for various situations that can arise at the airport.

Work environment and culture

The Airport Police Service (APS) in Ireland is a small private police force with around 108 staff patrolling Dublin Airport alone. The APS was first founded in 1936 to protect Irish airports, and today, it is responsible for providing general security and aviation security at Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, and Shannon Airport.

The APS is led by a chief police officer, supported by senior officers and a team of support staff. The force includes uniformed and plain-clothes patrol duties and various police operational support units, such as the Airport Police Dog Unit, Investigation Support Section, and Access Identification Control Unit.

The work environment at the APS is described as being like a family, with a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. Officers take pride in doing their jobs to the highest standards and recognize the distinct and valuable contributions of their teammates. There is a focus on collaboration, problem-solving, and continuous improvement, with an understanding that even regulations can be enhanced.

The APS works closely with other agencies, such as the Garda Síochána, Office of the Revenue Commissioners, and the aviation security section within the Department of Transport, to identify and respond to emerging threats to civil aviation in Ireland.

The APS plays an integral role in ensuring public safety and maintaining public order within their jurisdictional area. They have powers of detention, intervention, stop and search, and arrest, similar to those of the Gardai, and work to prevent, detect, and respond to minor criminal acts.

Officers of the APS undergo rigorous training to prepare them for various situations, including physical, psychometric, and competency tests. They are constantly vigilant and maintain a high presence both landside and airside, with a strong focus on visibility and accessibility to the public.

In addition to traditional policing duties, APS officers also handle public order issues, such as dealing with intoxicated passengers or those with mental health problems. They also detect drug offences and other crimes and work to ensure the safe operation of the airport.

The APS provides a dynamic and challenging work environment, with no two days being the same. Officers are expected to be adaptable and quick-thinking, always prioritizing the safety and security of passengers, staff, and aircraft.

Frequently asked questions