Inside the Victoria Police Academy: what it takes to become an officer
RECRUITS at the Victoria Police Academy are now receiving three times the amount of family violence training than before, amid a massive recruitment drive by the force, with more than 1000 officers graduating from the academy in the past 16 months.
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RECRUITS at the Victoria Police Academy are now receiving three times the amount of family violence training than before.
The changes introduced at the academy follow findings from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
It comes amid a massive recruitment drive by the force, with more than 1000 police recruits graduating from the academy in the past 16 months.
The move to triple family violence training was made last year to give recruits a broader understanding of the issues they will face on the job.
Superintendent Libby Murphy, head of the force’s family violence command, said 60 per cent of the workload of Victoria Police officers was linked to family violence.
“The course is designed to teach recruits the dynamics that exist within family violence,” Supt Murphy said.
“We have learned a lot from the Royal Commission in terms of victims’ needs.”
Recruit Nathan, 24, a former teaching aide, joined up because he is keen to pursue a career in family violence policing.
“I was working with children in my previous job and worked with a lot of kids who came from homes where they have been exposed to family violence,” he said.
“Joining Victoria Police gives me the opportunity to attend family violence incidents but also help out families affected by family violence. That was a big factor for me.”
While the family violence training at the academy has increased, it is just a small part of the program which recruits must pass to become Victoria Police officers.
The program lasts 31 weeks with recruits in classes and training from 7.30am to 4.10pm.
Firearms training — including a “village” in which recruits practice handling active shooter scenarios — is a key component of the program as is unarmed “impact and batons” training.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir, who was in command of the academy when the Sunday Herald Sun recently visited the facility, said: “We are running at high capacity at the moment with currently 800 in training.
“At any stage we will have 25 squads in training.
“It is a lot of people and a lot of moving parts.
“We have moved to an adult learning space but there is a lot of requirement for people to be disciplined — to be on time, well presented, ready to go ... that replicates the operational world.
“We maintain discipline here and will never drop away from that.”
‘I NEEDED TO DO THIS’
Recruit Jess, 25
Last April Jess’s dad was diagnosed with melanoma which made her reassess what she wanted to do with her life.
“It was a real eye opener and I realised being a personal trainer, which was what I had been doing for four years, wasn’t what I wanted to be,” she said.
“I decided to apply and got in. Now I’m here and it is absolutely amazing.”
Jess said her family were all excited for her.
“Dad is very proud ... he almost made me cry when he came here for family night ... he has been there for me 100 per cent of the way and I can’t wait to show him when I graduate.
“The training is intense but absolutely fantastic.”
Jess lives with a serving police officer so had an insight into what she had signed up for.
“One day I just decided I needed to do it,” she said.
“I want to get into the Critical Incident Response Team or the Special Operations Group — no girl has ever been in that but someone’s got to.”
‘I SAY GIVE IT A CRACK’
Recruit Will, 19
Will applied for Victoria Police in his first year out of school.
“It took about 11 months to get in ... it was a pretty rigorous process,” he said.
“There was entrance exams, psychological interviews, physical testing and that sort of stuff.”
Will joined a volunteer search and rescue group at the age of 15 on the Mornington Peninsula.
That’s when he first had the idea of becoming a police officer.
His aim is to eventually join the force’s Water Police unit.
“The training has been awesome. It is very full on,” he said.
“We have done our basic defence tactic skills, learning how to use a baton, pepper spray, firearms.
“It is now becoming a bit more advanced, learning how to integrate those skills into one.
“To anyone who is younger and thinking about a career in policing I would say give it a crack.”
If you are interested in a career in Victoria Police go to policecareer.vic.gov.au.
@davidhurleyHS