General News
12 January, 2023
Preparing the next local police officers
Preparing the next generation of police officers, young people are being offered the opportunity to explore the law enforcement career path through an upcoming exposition. To help potential candidates understand the role better, Victoria Police is...
Preparing the next generation of police officers, young people are being offered the opportunity to explore the law enforcement career path through an upcoming exposition.
To help potential candidates understand the role better, Victoria Police is hosting a Careers Expo next week on Wednesday, January 18 from 3 to 8 pm at the Kensington Town Hall on 30–34 Bellair Street.
The event is targeted towards school leavers, Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning students, young adults on a gap year, and 18 to 24-year-olds.
Despite the venue being close to two hours away from Maryborough, Goldfields Police Service Area (PSA) Inspector Donna Mitchell said it would be worth attending.
“This is a great opportunity for kids and their parents to understand the benefits and opportunities that are available when joining Victoria Police,” she said.
“If this was during a normal school term, I would have approached the schools and organised a bus to take interested students and their parents.”
Encouraging locals to make the trip, Insp Mitchell said if anyone decided to join the force it would be a strong-point for the community.
“The excitement and passion for helping the community gained by students who attend will motivate them to join and bring certain values into the Goldfields,” she said.
“People that join the police and spend some time policing in the metro area and then return back, will bring local knowledge and understanding.
“They also bring a special bond with the area.”
The expo will provide practical information about preparing for the application process, what life at the Academy looks like and other career options the organisation has to offer.
“It will enable students and their parents to ask questions and engage with police members from different work units,” Insp Mitchell said.
Victoria Police’s Talent, Attraction and Programs (TAP) Team will take attendees through the recruitment process and fitness test. They can also participate in a fitness session to gain first-hand experience of what the test involves.
After attending the session, if young people (under 21-year-olds) are interested in becoming a police officer, they don’t need an ATAR score to apply, only a year 12 certificate.
“We often speak about needing life experience before joining the force, but life experience isn’t just measured in years but also through lived events that forge a person’s personality and capabilities,” TAP Team’s acting manager Robert Mangani said.
“This can be gained from a variety of means including part-time employment, education, and sport-ing and volunteering experience.
“We encourage all young people who are interested in becoming a police officer to learn more about the role, eligibility, and application process, and attending a career expo is a great first step in this direction.”
While the expo is free, people need to book their spot — to get tickets for the event visit: eventbrite.com.au/e/victoria-police-careers-expo-tickets-481407491767 — attendees will also need to present a photo ID on the day to gain entry.