Have you ever considered a career in the police? If you are looking for a career change now is a great time to seriously think about joining as Victoria Police is currently recruiting police and Protective Services Officers.
Victoria Police are looking for applicants with varied skill sets who are ready to embark on a rewarding, community focused, challenging and secure career. We want men and women from diverse backgrounds so our members reflect the Victorian community. This applies to Police Officers as well as Protective Services Officers (PSO’s).
Unlike Police Officers the PSO’s are a relatively new part of Victoria Police, their role is to work on the states railway network. It is an important job, protecting more than 400 000 people who travel on the railway system each day, protecting our community from incidents involving alcohol and drug related offences, anti social behaviour, property damage and crimes against the person (such as assaults and thefts). They are currently working at inner city Melbourne stations but as more graduate from the Victoria Police Academy they will be working out of train stations across the state.
Have I piqued your interest? If you have a desire to ensure we all live in a safe community then Victoria Police is the place for you. Perhaps you thought Victoria Police wasn’t the right fit for you simply because of your cultural background or sexual identity. That is certainly not the case.
To serve our community well we must represent our community. Coming from a multicultural background or being part of our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex communities is all the more reason to consider a career with us. By having a workforce that represents the community it serves leads to increased community confidence in the service that we deliver. It provides more opportunities for community engagement, mutual respect and trust. It allows us to successfully police our diverse community.
I’m sure a lot of people will be asking the same questions- how do I know if I have what it takes? Or what do I have to do to become a PSO or Police Officer? You will need to go through a number of steps before being accepted; an entrance exam, background check, fitness and medical assessment and a selection panel interview. The fitness requirements for both applicants are the same although PSO applicants don’t have to complete the swimming component. To pass the fitness requirements you must successfully complete the grip test (squeezing 30 kilograms in each hand), complete an agility course in less than 20 seconds, do five successive push ups on toes, obtain a 6.1 level on the beep test, climb over a 1.3 metre obstacle and hold the prone bridge for 60 seconds. Police applicants must also swim 100 metres in four minutes without stopping.
If you are able to meet these standards and are interested in an extraordinary career, then contact us at www.policecareer.vic.gov.au
I look forward to seeing you in uniform.
By Sgt GABRIELLE TYACKE
Victoria Police Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer
