We trust all police officers with authority, integrity, responsibility and public safety. That means they must follow Victoria Police's 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 2013 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.
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.
Tattoos and tattoo placements
Victoria Police has recently updated their policy regarding Uniform and Appearance Standards, which includes direction around tattoos/body art and piercings.
Employees are required to project an image that is consistent with a professional and disciplined law enforcement agency.
No visible offensive, or inappropriate tattoos are permitted.
Offensive or inappropriate tattoos
These are tattoos that include words, images or objects that are, or could be perceived to:
- be obscene, violent, defamatory, sexually explicit, discriminatory, harassing, insulting, threatening or racially intolerant
- constitute sexual harassment, or that are discriminatory or vilifying under equal opportunity legislation
- be incompatible with Victoria Police's role, and could affect our reputation, or diminish public confidence.
Face, neck and head tattoos
Tattoos of the face, head and front of the neck are not permitted.
Neck tattoos on the rear of the neck may be permitted, but must not extend forward of the neck, beyond an imaginary line drawn vertically from behind the back of the ear down to the shoulder.
Existing employees are not permitted to get additional body art on the face, head and/or front of the neck. All employees must cover or remove all body art or modifications that are offensive or inappropriate while on duty.
Hand tattoos
Hand tattoos may be permitted.
Leg and arm tattoos
Tattoos on the legs and arms will be permitted.
Tattoo questions
Current or future applicants with tattoos/body art on the head, face, neck or hands should email RECRUITINGSERVICES-MGR@police.vic.gov.au.
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.
Already started your application?
Continue your police officer application by logging in to our careers portal.
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