Victoria Police recruitment drive attracts almost 2000 applications
NEARLY 2000 police hopefuls have flooded the force with applications as part of its biggest recruitment drive, with a third of those wanting to become cops women.
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NEARLY 2000 police hopefuls have flooded the force with applications as part of its biggest recruitment drive.
The blue-blooded rush follows a $2 billion boost to tackle Victoria’s crime woes.
More than 2700 extra officers are being recruited over four years.
More than 1700 applications — about 350 a week — were received from would-be police and protective services officers in the first five weeks of a huge advertising blitz.
The figures reflect a near doubling of usual applicant numbers.
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Almost a third of hopefuls are women, but police command wants more to apply.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said: “These are very positive results and set us up to deliver the unprecedented recruitment of 2729 extra police on top of the recruits required to meet attrition and retirements.
“These extra police are a critical part of our work to bring down crime and harm in our community,” she said.
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Victoria Police spokeswoman Sara-Jane Delaney said 800 people had also taken part in career information sessions.
About 30 per cent of police applicants were women but the rate was lower for protective services officer roles.
The police numbers boost was announced after the Herald Sun detailed an urgent Police Association of Victoria push for 3300 extra officers by 2022 to help relieve short-staffed stations.
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said: “It is pleasing to see that the public has responded so positively to this vital recruitment campaign.”
The first 406 officers will be sworn in by the end of June.