Police Officers – The Process
Once you’ve decided that you’d like to apply and you’re happy that you meet all the essential requirements, you should complete our application form. After you send your application, there are a number of steps to the recruitment process and it may take some time to complete, from two weeks to months. You may be required to undergo a polygraph test as part of this process. It’s also essential that we carry out thorough background checks, so you may need to be patient throughout the following process:
1. Entrance Examination
This exam is the next step after we’ve accepted your application. You can download an example of the entrance exam questions (PDF, 160kb). Once you’ve passed we’ll invite you to complete a personality profile questionnaire and you may be interviewed by a Police Psychologist.
2. Panel Interview
Following your exam you’ll attend a Panel Interview. This is your opportunity to demonstrate the qualities and qualifications, such as such as leadership, decisiveness, problem solving, stress management and integrity that will enable you to build a career as a Police Officer. To help in identifying your qualities, we use the ‘behavioural interviewing’ method, drawing on examples from your education, workplaces, social interaction, community interests and general life experience. This will be based on the ‘SPARES’ model:
S = Situation or
P = Problem
A = Action taken
R = Result obtained
E = Evaluation (of the example you give)
S = Supporting evidence
S or P: “Tell us about a time when you had too much work to do and had to manage a range of conflicting priorities.”
A: “What did you do?”
R: “What result did you achieve?”
E: “How did you rate your actions?”
S: “Is there anyone who can verify your achievement?”
3. Medical Examination
In order to take part in Academy training and police duties, you’ll need to meet the required medical standards and will undertake an examination conducted by our Police Medical Officer.
4. Computer Testing
This test, carried out at the Academy is to assess your basic competencies (PDF, 95kb) and you can prepare with our sample test (Word.doc, 28kb). You can also download our marking guide (PDF, 109kb).
5. Physical and Agility Testing
There are three physical tests (PDF, 123kb) you need to pass, and some of them are quite demanding, so we advise that you start a gradual cardiovascular exercise program in preparation. On the day you'll need to bring your driving licence or other identification to the Academy.
6. Selection
This is the final stage of recruitment and involves careful review of your file by a Selection Board, who make the final decision regarding an offer of employment.
Please note, there are different time frames for the process when moving between states and overseas. You can find out more about this on the Interstate and Overseas applicant pages.