- Published:
- Friday 26 June 2026 at 9:00 am
| Victoria Police's first regional training academy at Mildura has attracted strong interest from locals. |
Skilled tradespeople, school leavers, farmers and parents of young children are among the broad cross-section of Mallee locals to have shown an interest in training at Victoria Police’s new Mildura academy.
More than 170 aspiring police have submitted an expression of interest since registrations opened for the new initiative on 12 June.
Up to 25 recruits will join the first Mildura intake, with classes to begin on 18 January next year.
Superintendent Tom Nairn, based at Mildura, said the response from the community had been “really positive”.
“We’ve fielded lots of interest and lots of questions,” Supt Nairn said.
“Our members have been approached by a broad cross-section of the community, including people of different ages and from different cultural backgrounds and employment histories.
“It just goes to show there is a huge amount of interest in this initiative and the opportunity it presents for people in Mildura and the broader Mallee region.”
The regional academy initiative aims to bolster attraction and retention of recruits across Victoria's west and open up Victoria Police to country people who've previously been unable to pursue a policing career.
This includes those unable to travel to Melbourne for training because of family commitments, distance and cost.
Training will mirror the Foundation Training Program delivered at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley, and there will be no change to entry requirements or assessments.
Recruits will complete the full 25-week training program from a dedicated training location in Mildura.
They will perform the same duties and be exposed to the same policing functions as those doing placements in Melbourne.
Recruits will graduate in a local ceremony at Mildura and be deployed to positions in the Mallee region.
Supt Nairn said police members across the region were enthusiastic about welcoming new faces to the fold.
“Our members are extremely supportive of the initiative,” he said.
“The idea of recruiting local community people just makes sense.
“These new recruits will be already invested in and connected to the community they serve, which is so beneficial.”
To find out more, visit Regional academy.
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