Former or returning Victoria Police officers (sergeant or senior sergeant)

You must take part in a skills-gap-analysis to identify if you need any extra training, or retraining. Different factors influence the level of training.

These include:

• how long you have been absent
• whether you have worked in policing in the intervening period.

Most of this training is online but some components may need face-to-face attendance.

Some aspects, such as emergency management, may be conducted at the Victoria Police Academy.

There is a 12-month probation period which will initially be in a temporary operational position.

This is to assist you in displaying your suitability for a permanent role, and provide an opportunity to demonstrate the skills and abilities you have gained in your absence. You are also required to meet certain requirements to confirm your reappointment.

During this time, you must secure a permanent substantive position in the organisation. This is achieved through the merit-based transfer and promotion system.

Probation extension

You may apply for a 12-month extension of probation if required.

During probation you must apply for vacant positions through the merit-based transfer and promotion system.

You will need to submit a Key Selection Criteria (KSC) Submission Form and if you are shortlisted you will be asked to attend an interview with a Selection Panel.

Key Selection Criteria (KSC) Submission Form

A KSC Submission covers many criteria.

Applicant details

The KSC Submission Form highlights your relevant work experience. This could include:

• experience inside or outside of Victoria Police
• or leadership and voluntary roles.

The form is to inform Victoria Police of:

• your qualifications
• your education and professional development (including current study)
• any commendations, awards, or achievements you have received.

Suitability question 

The form will also ask you:

“Having read the position profile, capability profile and position description, please outline why you are best suited to this role.”

You will have a page for this answer. This is your chance to show that:

• you know what is needed to succeed in this position
• you have the transferable skills, capabilities, experience, and knowledge needed
• your personal qualities and motivations show you are the most suitable person for the role.

Other questions

You will need to address three criteria as set out in the KSC Submission Form. There are different headings for each rank, based on the relevant capability profile.

You will need to provide examples of your work which show your use of those capabilities.

Shortlisted applicants and interviews

Applicants are shortlisted based on their Key Selection Criteria (KSC) Submission Form. Shortlisted applicants will progress to an interview with a Selection Panel who will ask behavioural-based and scenario questions.

Behavioural-based interview questions

Two interview questions are based on two of the six capabilities in the rank specific capability profiles. These questions are based on behaviour.

You will be asked for a real-life example of how you handled a specific type of work situation in the past. You must give an example that shows how you applied your skills and capabilities in practice.

Scenario question

A scenario question is related to a typical situation for the role or unit you have applied for. It often focuses on:

• a technical policing issue
• or supervisory issue
• or another relevant workplace-related issue.

Summary questions

You will be asked if you have any questions for the selection panel or if there is anything you would like to raise.

This allows you to highlight any skills or experience that you haven’t had the chance to discuss in the interview.

How the Selection Panel determines success

The Selection Panel will determine your success on whether you showed “superior efficiency” relative to the other applicants. If suitably demonstrated, you will be selected for the advertised role.

The Selection Panel assesses all available information in a holistic way, including:

• each shortlisted applicant’s written application
• relevant experience
• relevant qualifications
• Register of Complaints, Serious Incidents and Discipline (ROCSID) report
• reference check
• and your performance at interview.

Selections will be published in the next available Gazette.

If your selection to a substantive position is appealed

If you are successful in gaining a permanent position there is a possibility you may be subject to appeal against your selection by unsuccessful candidates.

If an appeal against your selection by unsuccessful candidates is upheld in their favour this means you will need to keep applying for other permanent positions via advertised vacancies.

If you do not secure a permanent position

If you cannot obtain a permanent position during the probation period, there are three options:

• apply for a 12-month extension of probation (only one extension may be granted)
• apply for a reversion in rank and accept a permanent position as a senior constable (Eligible to apply for sergeant vacancies immediately)
• termination of employment during probation.

Your initial temporary deployment will likely be to North-West Metro Region, Division One.

Either Melbourne East or Melbourne West Police Station will likely be the location.

These stations were chosen because:

• they offer a variety of duties
• there is a large peer network available
• and the availability of resources to support the pilot program.

Your temporary posting will be as an operational sergeant or senior sergeant.

Your duties will involve all aspects of:

• station management
• supervision of staff
• and operational supervisor shifts.

You will be allocated a list of on-the-job-tasks. These ensure that you experience an appropriate variety of duties.

Completion of these tasks will be part of your probation and will be validated by your manager.

You will be provided with a mentor.

Your mentor is there to guide you. They will initially accompany you on “shadow” shifts before leaving you to work independently.

If you were a sergeant or senior sergeant, and are reappointed at the same rank, your pay increment will reflect your years at that rank.

If you are reappointed at a rank higher than that you held before, you will be designated at the first increment of the new rank.

If you spent time working for an interstate police force, your experience at rank is recognised when deciding the increment.

You can apply for any position at the same rank you are reappointed to if you meet the eligibility requirements for that role.

The eligibility criteria may differ across different commands, regions, and departments. It may include specific conditions such as:

• holding (or subsequently obtaining) a National Security Clearance
• being an Australian citizen
• or holding (or subsequently obtaining) a specific qualification.