Victoria Police allows experienced officers back in force amid major recruitment driver

Experienced police officers who have quit the force are being lured back to the job with a tempting new deal.

Victoria Police is allowing former offers to rejoin the force as part of a major recruitment drive Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Experienced police officers who have quit the force will be able to return to Victoria Police for up to two years in a pilot program designed to get senior members back in the job amid a major recruitment campaign.

It can be revealed Victoria Police will fund the scheme, which involves as many as 10 temporary positions becoming available to former officers at the Sergeant or Senior Sergeant rank, in coming months.

Formers members at these ranks registered with the state’s Police Registration and Services Board have been contacted about the initiative.

The Herald Sun understands the program has been well received among former members with at least two having completed initial assessments to rejoin the force.

“Victoria Police is keen to capitalise on the fresh ideas, new approaches, highly transferable skills and networks that returning members can bring to support us as we deliver a world class, modern police force,” a police spokesman said.

“The pilot is designed to make it easier for former members to return to the force with better recognition of their policing history.”

Victoria Police’s mega-recruitment drive aims to employ 2000 officers in the next two years.

It comes as Victoria Police has streamlined key recruitment processes as the force undertakes the huge task of attracting at least 2000 officers over the next two years.

All roles in the pilot scheme will be general duties uniform positions based in the North West Metro police region.

Reappointees will likely work at Melbourne East or Melbourne West police stations and will have strict probationary conditions.

They will be required to work under supervision.

“These locations have been selected because of the variety of duties, large peer network and availability of resources to support the pilot program,” the police spokesman said.

The officers will be appointed to temporary sergeant or senior sergeant positions for 12 months with potential to be extended for another year after.

They will need to successfully gain a permanent ongoing position through the usual merit-based system during this time.

Previously, former Sergeants and Senior Sergeants who wished to return to Victoria Police only had the option of registering with the Police Registration and Services Board and competing for vacant positions as an external candidate under the merit-based selection process.

Many members had to return to the force at a lower rank.

Secretary of the police association Sergeant Wayne Gatt said the program was about “bridging the gap” between outside employment and the force.

“I think our members will broadly welcome the capacity to see former colleagues return, albeit this is a small trial, at a time when we need the experience,” Sgt Gatt said.

“By allocating these holding positions, we offer the security of coming back to the organisation.”