Victoria Police doubles recruit intake

Victoria Police will train an extra 650 recruits a year as it doubles intake at the academy.

The increase - which will put the number of recruits entering training at 1300 annually - comes as the force moves to fill more than 1500 vacancies statewide.

At the same time it’s working hard to retain existing police.

This includes freeing officers from unnecessary, onerous paperwork so they can spend more time away from their desks doing what they signed up for.

The doubling of recruits entering the academy began on 20 April with a total 52 recruits.

The same number of recruits will be inducted each fortnight until further notice with Victoria Police's new 25-week training program fast-tracking their deployment to the frontline.

The newest recruits - made up of two squads - include a butcher, concreter, barista, personal trainer and operating theatre technician.

Others have served as police interstate and with the Australian Defence Force.

All have undergone the same stringent entry process to ensure Victoria Police's high standards are maintained.

The academy has more than 270 rooms for recruits opting to live on campus, while teaching time for trainers has been maximised and the academy café is serving two lunch sittings amid the rising numbers.

Victoria Police is addressing its significant number of police vacancies as a priority.

The new 25-week academy training program, which aims to deliver recruits who are street ready and better prepared for the realities of policing, was introduced in July last year.

The force has also made the entrance exam online while quality applicants like those with favourable high school results or who've recently worked as a firefighter, paramedic or with defence no longer need to sit it at all.

Victoria Police remains focused on retaining and supporting its existing workforce.

Initiatives include hiring 200 reservists to perform reception counter duties at stations from later this year while a select number of former police recently rejoined the force to do these tasks until the necessary reservists legislation is in place.

Policing is a diverse, rewarding and challenging career.

The benefits include paid training from the day you enter the academy, nine weeks paid leave and the opportunity to make a difference in the community.

Probationary Constables receive a starting salary of $81,612 a year plus allowances.

More than 8700 people applied to become a police officer last year, the highest number of applications in at least five years.

The last time Victoria Police had consecutive double squads over a sustained period was January 2024.

To find out more about becoming a police officer go to police.vic.gov.au/police(opens in a new window).

Quotes attributable to Chief Commissioner Mike Bush:

“This increase is crucial in helping address vacancies and supporting the hardworking frontline.

“More recruits means more boots on the ground keeping the community safe.

“At the same time we’re working to retain experienced police by supporting them to do the job they signed up for.

“There is a long road ahead but we’re determined to build our workforce.

“Policing is a diverse, rewarding and challenging career and you get to make a real difference in people’s lives.

“If you ask any police officer, that’s why they join and what drives them each and every day.”

Media Unit
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