More than 1500 prospective police are expected as Victoria Police hosts its biggest regional recruitment event ever.
The Victoria Police Bendigo Careers Expo – to be held at La Trobe University on 14 October – will allow potential recruits to learn more about the opportunities working in policing can provide.
More than 60 police will be on hand to answer questions including members of the Water Police Squad, Highway Patrol and Public Order Response Team.
There will also be an Air Wing flyover.
It comes as Victoria Police embarks on a major recruitment drive, with hundreds of police needed.
Aspiring police from across central, northern and western Victoria are being urged to attend the upcoming event, which aims to showcase the benefits of country policing in particular.
They include a diverse and rewarding career experience as well as many lifestyle benefits including a work-life balance, community connection and lower cost of living.
Victoria Police offers seven months paid training, an annual starting salary of $75,604 plus allowances and nine weeks paid leave a year.
It can also provide a remote allowance for police working in specified regional locations and cover relocation and telephone expenses. Additionally, taxation incentives are available which allow police working in remote areas to claim a portion of their rent, home loan interest and utilities.
The Bendigo expo will feature a rotating panel of police who will take part in three question and answer sessions talking about their experiences and what working as a police officer is like.
An exhibition of Victoria Police’s units will be staged across the day and also include Police Prosecutions, Crime Scene Services and members from the Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section.
Medical experts, fitness trainers and staff from the Victoria Police academy will field any questions one-on-one.
While Victoria Police looks for people with life experience for many of its recruits people who’ve recently finished secondary school or taken a gap year are also encouraged to apply.
Applicants no longer need to have completed the Victorian Certificate of Education or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning but must be aged at least 18.
Victoria Police has also removed the requirement for applicants to sit the police entrance exam if they’ve achieved a specified bachelor degree in the past five years.
This applies to degrees in the arts, humanities, law, science and business from an Australian university.
The Victoria Police Bendigo Careers Expo will run from 10am-4pm.
The event is free but attendees are asked to register on the website.
For further information go to police.vic.gov.au/victoria-police-bendigo-careers-expo.
Quotes attributable to Acting Superintendent Ben Young, Victoria Police Western Region:
“This is the biggest careers event we’ve ever held in regional Victoria.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for potential recruits to get an up-close look at the amazing opportunities a career in policing can provide.
“We’re especially keen to showcase the benefits of country policing.
“It’s such a diverse and rewarding career experience and most importantly you have the opportunity to make a difference in the community.
“Victoria Police is in the middle of its biggest recruitment drive so if you’ve ever thought about joining come along to the expo.’
“We look forward to meeting the future police of Victoria there.”
