We trust all police officers with authority, integrity, responsibility and public safety. That means they must follow Victoria Police code of conduct and certain policies and appearance standards.
Be aware how this may impact your personal and professional life before you start the application process.
What we expect
Victoria Police employees have a responsibility to follow the expected standards at all times.
Police officers must adhere to:
- the Victoria Police code of conduct
- uniform and appearance standards
- our drug and alcohol policy
- and other requirements.
The Victoria Police Act 2013
The Victoria Police Act imposes a duty on employees to be of good behaviour at all times.
Your conduct, both on and off duty, reflects on both you and Victoria Police.
Actions you take in your personal life may affect your employment and see you face internal discipline or criminal proceedings.
Victoria Police's organisational values
Your behaviour must demonstrate our organisational values.
Our organisational values underpin our policies, procedures and practices. They provide guidance on how we expect employees to interact with the community and each other.
Code of conduct
The Victoria Police Code of Conduct - Professional and Ethical Standards sets out behaviour requirements for all employees.
The code of conduct can also help you identify situations and associations which may lead to conflicts of interest.
Victoria Police Code of Conduct - Professional and Ethical Standards
Drugs and alcohol
During the application process and your employment with Victoria Police, you will be tested for drugs and alcohol.
This means:
- You must be completely sober while on duty, and on call.
- You must be free of illegal drugs at all times, both on and off duty.
- If you are taking prescribed medications, you must disclose them in your application medical report.
Uniform and appearance
All employees must adhere to the Victoria Police Uniform and Appearance Policy.
Employee appearance must reflect a professional and disciplined law enforcement agency. This includes clothing, grooming and personal accessories.
Exemptions to the uniform and appearance policy can be sought on genuine medical, cultural or religious grounds.
An application for an exemption can be made at the induction stage of the application process.
Head, face, neck, or hand tattoos
If you have tattoos or body art on your head, face, neck or hands you should contact our Recruitment Team before you apply.
You can do this by:
- emailing POLICECAREERS-MGR@police.vic.gov.au, or
- calling (03) 8335 5003 (8am-4pm, Monday to Friday).
They will assess your eligibility before you submit an application.
Jewellery
Police officers can wear the following items of jewellery:
- wristwatches
- minimal rings of conservative style
- emergency medical alert bracelets or pendants.
Other jewellery, ornaments, adornments or accessories are not permitted. This includes:
- earrings
- spacers
- any facial or body piercings
- plugs
- tunnels
- bars
- chains
- dental grills
- or similar.
Secondary employment
Victoria Police employees must gain approval from the Chief Commissioner to hold a secondary job.
Approval will not be granted where employment conflicts with your role as a Victoria Police employee.
This includes the:
- liquor industry
- gaming industry
- racing industry
- transport industry
- firearms industry
- weapons industry
- private security industry, and
- sex industry.
Reviewed 04 December 2023