Time is ticking to be among the first recruits at the new regional police academy in Mildura.
Applications for the first intake – to begin training in January next year – close this Friday 17 July.
More than 100 prospective police have already applied.
It follows a huge number of expressions of interest which surpassed 240.
Victoria Police is currently contacting these people as the application deadline looms.
Busy parents who’ve previously been unable to pursue their policing dream due to family commitments are among those who’ve applied to undertake training at Mildura.
More than half of applicants are from the Mildura area including the city itself and nearby Irymple and Red Cliffs.
Around a fifth are from interstate, mostly NSW border communities.
Victoria Police is urging potential recruits to submit their applications in coming days to have the best chance of being in the academy’s first squad.
The lead time is needed so applicants can undergo necessary screening and checks to assess their suitability.
The new regional academy – to open on 18 January – means for the first time ever future officers will be able to complete their entire police training without having to travel to Melbourne.
Training will mirror the 25-week program delivered at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley.
Mildura recruits will graduate in a local ceremony and be deployed to positions in the Mallee region.
They get the same conditions as trainees in Melbourne including an annual starting salary of $84,060 plus allowances for Probationary Constables and nine weeks paid leave a year.
To submit an application go to https://www.police.vic.gov.au/regional-academy.
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector David Rowe, Mildura Police:
“The response to the regional academy has been extraordinary.
“Now is crunch time to make sure you don’t miss out.
“To have the best chance to be among the Mildura regional academy’s first recruits you must submit your application by Friday.
“Training recruits locally opens up a policing career to people who may never have been able to pursue one before.
“For the community it means local people working where they live and love.
“Do not miss this opportunity to be part of something unlike anything we’ve offered before.”
