VicPol Corporate

Life as a protective services officer

Learn about life as a protective services officer, including information about uniform and appearance, the code of conduct and drugs and alcohol.

Victoria Police offers a challenging and rewarding career serving the Victorian community.

As an employee of Victoria Police, you will be entrusted with considerable authority and responsibility.

Standards of behaviour

As an employee of Victoria Police, you will be subject to legislation and policy requirements that prescribe expected standards of behaviour. It is important that you understand how this will impact on your personal and professional life prior to committing to the application process.

The Victoria Police Act 2013 imposes a duty on all employees to be of good behaviour at all other times.

Your conduct, both on and off duty, reflects on yourself and on Victoria Police.

Actions committed during your personal time may affect your ongoing employment and see you face internal discipline or criminal proceedings.

Our organisational values underpin Victoria Police’s policies, procedures and practices and provide guidance on how employees are to interact with the community and each other.

Code of conduct

You should familiarise yourself with the Victoria Police Code of Conduct - Professional and Ethical Standards, and other integrity related polices to ensure you understand the required standard of behaviour.

The Code of Conduct will give potential employees an understanding of how to identify situations and associations which may lead to inappropriate perceptions or conflicts of interest.

The Code of Conduct will give potential employees an understanding of how to identify situations and associations which may lead to inappropriate perceptions or conflicts of interest.

Testing for drugs and alcohol

During the application process and your period of employment with Victoria Police, you will be tested for drugs and alcohol.

You must be completely sober while on or required to be available for duty. You also must be free of illegal drugs at all times, both on and off duty.

If you are taking any prescribed medications, you must ensure that these are disclosed in your application's medical report.

Uniform and appearance

Victoria Police employees are required to project an image that is consistent with a professional and disciplined law enforcement agency.

Therefore, employees’ clothing, grooming and personal accessories must project a favourable image, and must not be extreme or detract from the need to present as employees of a professional and disciplined organisation.

All employees must adhere to the Victoria Police Uniform and Appearance Policy.

Applicants may seek an exemption to the Victoria Police Uniform and Appearance Policy for genuine medical, cultural or religious grounds.

An application for exemption can be made at the inductions stage of the application process. Further information will be provided to you if you request an exemption at this stage.

Secondary employment

Victoria Police employees must gain approval from the Chief Commissioner to hold a secondary job.

Approval will not be granted where the employment conflicts with your role as a Victoria Police employee, for example the:

  • liquor industry
  • gaming industry
  • racing industry
  • transport industry
  • firearms industry
  • weapons industry
  • private security industry, and
  • the sex industry.

Protective services officers - meet the team

Reviewed 12 January 2024

Careers

Contact

Victoria Police Recruitment Team, 8.00am-4.00pm (Monday - Friday)

You're more suited than you might think

A career as a protective services officer is rewarding and challenging, with excellent flexibility and good work-life balance. When choosing an exciting new career, it’s not just about who you are, but who you’ll be. Do you have what it takes to be a force for good? 

Explore and apply
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