Garda Down Under

Garda Down Under is the story of life on the beat for Irish officers working in Western Australia, the largest police district in the world.

This vast expanse needs policing and with a rapidly growing population thanks to a mining boom, the WA government looked overseas, aggressively recruiting experienced officers from other jurisdictions. The Gardaí, regarded as highly trained by the Australian police force, were among their prime targets. Since then over 30 Gardaí have decided to pack up and head for sunnier climes, leaving recession-hit Ireland behind for a new life as cops in booming WA.

Now the WA Police Department have opened their doors to our cameras and with unique and unhindered access, we follow the Irish recruits on the job and off duty as they settle in. Far from home – and away from extended family networks – we discover what life is like for the Irish ‘transitional officers’, as they get to grips with their new work and lifestyle. From the urban sophistication of Perth to Kununurra, a place so remote police officers do everything from taking forensic evidence to acting as temporary paramedics, it’s a major culture shock for our ex-Gardaí.