Victoria Police recruitment process to change with thousands targeted in 2023 jobs drive

A new recruitment tactic could give new hope to those who have previously missed selection at Victoria Police.

Senior Constable Harrison Brady (centre) with Constables Katie Walker and Theodore Heinjus. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Victoria Police will contact more than 40,000 people in a bid to turn around a worrying decline in applications.

Those targeted in the major recruitment drive will be potential police who had previously shown an interest in joining the job but pursued other options.

In coming weeks the force will talk to people who had in the past applied but missed selection, those who had registered at career sessions on policing and others who had previously expressed interest in the organisation’s fitness test.

Those who had applied but withdrawn will also be contacted.

The Herald Sun revealed last year Victoria Police was struggling for recruits, partly because of the nationwide labour shortage being heavily felt in many other sectors.

“The potential police pool, comprising people Victoria Police has been in contact with as far back as 2016, will receive an email or phone call to check whether their circumstances have changed and their interest in speaking about career options,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.

It comes as police prepare for what is described as “a dedicated policing careers expo”, to be held at Kensington Town Hall on January 18.

The inaugural event will coincide with the university offer period as police move to persuade the young not to discount a career in law enforcement.

It is also regarded as a time of year when people from a range of ages are plotting their future career course.

“Attendees will be talked through the recruitment process and get the chance to meet police working in general duties and specialist units,” the spokesman said.

“While the force continues to look to people with life experience for much of its recruitment pool, it is reminding suitable younger people including those who have recently finished secondary school or taken a gap year they can also be considered.”

Police believe those involved in volunteer work, others who had demonstrated leadership qualities and people who played community sport were in a good position to apply.

A history of part-time work, particularly in the customer service field, is also viewed as a way of showing aptitude for policing.

The spokesman said those applying did not require an ATAR score but those aged under 21 must have completed year 12.

Benefits of joining the force include seven months paid training, nine weeks paid leave and a starting salary of $74,487 a year plus allowances.

A recruitment drive, accompanied by advertising, began last October as part of the push to add 502 police and 50 protective services officers over two years.

Part of the push involves streamlining the recruitment process, including through a trial starting this month to look at options for introducing online exams.

Acting Superintendent Charmaine Hosking, of the recruitment division, said joining the force could be the start of an “amazing career”.

“Life circumstances change, people’s priorities change and now might just be the time for them to pick up where they left off,” Supt Hosking said.

“Policing is a challenging, rewarding career.

“The start of the year is a great time for people to evaluate their career options. That’s why we’re so keen to get out and talk to anyone keen to pull on the blue uniform.”