- Published:
- Friday, 23 May 2025 at 5:02 am
Victoria Police is introducing a new 25-week academy training program that best prepares officers for the realities of the job.
Victoria Police initiated a review of its foundation training program in June 2023.
A key aim was to bridge the gap between what recruits learn at the academy and their experiences when placed out on patrol.
The new program will be more practical and interactive, with a greater emphasis on receiving mentoring from experienced officers, while supporting victims, patrolling the community, responding to incidents and keeping the roads safe.
Course content will be delivered in a sequential style that progressively consolidates knowledge and eliminates unnecessary repetition.
It's the first significant change to the force's recruit training program in almost 15 years.
The new academy training program, which replaces the existing 31-week course, will be introduced in July.
Police recruits will still complete a Diploma of Policing which remains unchanged at 116 weeks.
It's envisaged the changes will allow more rapid deployment of new police to support the hardworking frontline.
Training has been streamlined to reduce duplication and make better use of contemporary teaching methods with recruits discussing real-life scenarios and practising how they respond.
Practical skills will be a focus, with less time learning ceremonial tasks like marching and more time dedicated to law, family violence, youth offending and crime prevention.
Some guest speaker sessions will instead be available in video format which recruits will access away from the classroom.
Recruits will have completed all components of the operational safety and tactics training needed to perform operational duties prior to deployment.
While field placement will occur three weeks later than currently, it means recruits will get their first taste of frontline policing accompanying serving police on patrol rather than observing police at the watchhouse.
A two-week field placement performing patrols in the city will move to immediately after recruits graduate, ensuring they can better respond to public order incidents.
The placement will be one week for recruits being deployed to the country.
The new program continues to meet registered training organisation standards and all legal requirements.
All human rights training has been retained.
Victoria Police introduced its existing 31-week program in March 2017, replacing a 33-week program which began in January 2011.
Before that training went for 23 weeks but included fewer practical elements.
The first intake for the new course is expected on 14 July with the final 31-week intake on 2 June.
Victoria Police is urging prospective police to join now, with all applications directed to the new-look course.
For more information about the changes go to police.vic.gov.au/police-officer-training.
Quotes attributable to Acting Deputy Commissioner Tim Hansen:
"This change will deliver police who are street ready and better prepared for the realities of modern-day policing.
"Our recruit training program hasn't changed substantially in almost 15 years so it's crucial our training evolves as the demands of police continue to develop.
"That includes delivering content in a more engaging, interactive and impactful way to produce the best police possible.
"We also acknowledge a lot of material has been added to the program over the years and it's imperative we remove unnecessary duplication and focus on those areas that matter most to the community.
"The new program is recognition that while classroom learning is crucial for basic knowledge, the greatest form of learning occurs under supervision on the job.
"Importantly, it will also get qualified police to the frontline sooner where they're so very much needed.
"The total time it takes police recruits to complete their entire training remains unchanged, ensuring recruits have a comprehensive understanding of ethics, human rights and legal requirements.”
Media Unit
129489
Updated