Triple graduation kicks off the new year

The largest graduation ceremony at the Victoria Police Academy in years has marked the start of a new chapter for 66 recruits.

Three squads graduated together on 16 January, comprising the final graduates of the 31-week police training program, and the first two squads of the new, streamlined 25-week course introduced in July last year.

Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the occasion was not only a milestone for the force and its newest frontline officers, but testament to the hard work going into police recruitment.

“While our vacancies are high, at more than 1400 across the state, we are working as hard as we can to fill them – and last week’s triple graduation ceremony was testament to that,” CCP Bush said.

“Last year, Victoria Police received more than 8700 applications to join the force – the highest number in at least five years.

“And on 16 January, I had the privilege of welcoming 66 of those applicants to their new roles on the frontline.”

The new constables include a former flight attendant, software engineer, sous chef, dental assistant, supermarket manager and naturopath – proving that a career in policing often comes after a career in something else.

And while all graduates celebrated the occasion with loved ones, nine also had the honour of being presented with their police badges, known as Freddies, by parents, siblings or partners in the force.

“These new recruits will commence work in a wide variety of locations across the state, supporting our members to keep the community safe,” CCP Bush said.

“We’re thrilled to welcome them to the force, and wish them the very best with the first few months of their careers in blue.”

Victoria Police's new 25-week police training program was introduced last year to deliver recruits who are better prepared for the realities of policing

It’s giving new recruits more time to discuss real-life scenarios, receive mentoring from experienced officers, and get an earlier taste of what it’s like to work on the frontline.

But it will also see more than 70 extra members graduate each year – enough to fill a metropolitan police station.

“This program delivers recruits who are street-ready and better prepared for the realities of policing,” CCP Bush said.

“It's more interactive, more immersive and focuses on the things that really matter.

“It also results in earlier deployment of new police to the frontline where they are so very much needed.”

In addition to the new 25-week police training program, Victoria Police has also made the entrance exam available online, so applicants can sit the assessment where and when suits them.

But if you’ve recently worked as a paramedic, firefighter, in defence, or achieved favourable VCE results, you may not even need to complete the exam.

To find out more about the police recruitment process and new 25-week police training program, visit Police officer careers(opens in a new window).