Expressions of interest are now being accepted for Victoria Police’s new regional academy in Mildura.
The academy will take its first classes from 18 January next year.
It means for the first time ever country people joining the force will be able to complete their training without travelling to Melbourne.
Up to 25 recruits will be included in the first intake.
An information session will be held in Mildura on Monday as the drive for applicants begins.
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.
Regional training is among a range of initiatives Victoria Police is implementing to streamline the recruitment and training process as well as retain existing police.
Training will mirror the program delivered at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley with no change to the force’s high standards of entry and assessment.
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.
Mildura was identified as the first site for the regional training pilot, which if successful would see the location of the academy change each year.
Interest is expected from across the region, including border towns in NSW and South Australia.
Discussions about the exact location of the training facility are ongoing.
Recruits will graduate in a local ceremony at Mildura and be deployed to positions in the Mallee region.
This means they avoid the ballot process where police can be assigned to any station – a major deterrent for many country applicants.
It also recognises the value of having country people working in country locations for not only career fulfillment but ensuring strong community connections.
Country locations where recruits may be placed to work include Kerang, Mildura, Robinvale and Swan Hill.
Just like at the Victoria Police Academy, recruits at Mildura will be paid to train.
Recruits also get the same conditions including an annual starting salary of $84,060 plus allowances for Probationary Constables and nine weeks paid leave a year.
An information session for prospective police will be held at Mildura’s Alfred Deakin Centre, 190 Deakin Avenue on Monday 15 June, 5.30pm-8pm.
Another is being held at the Swan Hill Club, 5/17 McCallum St in Swan Hill on Sunday 14 June, 11am-2pm.
Police will be on site to take questions about the recruitment process, the work of the force and career pathways.
These events are free but attendees are asked to register online beforehand.
Further information is available at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/regional-academy(opens in a new window).
Quotes attributable to Inspector David Rowe, Mildura Police:
“We know country people make great police.
“This initiative allows us to tap into the wealth of talent we have locally to build a more stable and sustainable workforce.
“For the public, it means police who are invested and connected to the community they serve.
“Importantly, training at Mildura will mirror training at the Victoria Police Academy in Melbourne to ensure our high standards of learning are maintained.
“We’re not just looking for police in Mildura, but right across the state’s west, so if you’ve ever considered joining there now really is no excuse.
“Expressions of interest are now open, so please sign up and come along to our information session on Monday to find out more.”
