Currency and re-employment competitiveness
Currency or recency of practice is the maintenance of competency to perform as a police officer. Some former members may find it difficult to demonstrate contemporary policing skills; however, many of these skills are durable. For example, do you feel that you could still execute a safe, lawful arrest?
Returning constables and senior constables undertake an individualised training needs assessment to determine any skill gap, whereas for sergeants and above, selection to a position infers such competency. Recency of police practice may be a determinant for some registrants in their competiveness for re-employment.
For regulated professions (for example, the health industry), registration standards include recency of practice, which varies from 2 to 5 years depending on the field. PRSB will work with Victoria Police to form a definition around currency or recency of practice in policing.
Registrants are eligible to apply for re-employment with Victoria Police at or below their registered rank. The Police Alternate Employment Unit (PAEU) within Victoria Police manages this process.
Contact PAEU
Phone (03) 9247 3219
Email HRD-PRIOR-POLICING-MGR@police.vic.gov.au (External link)
Process
| Rank | Check | Selection | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constable/ senior constable | Pre-employment checks (fitness, medical and psychological tests) | Re-appointment process including panel interview and skills gap analysis. | Registrants are appointed to positions subject to availability |
| Sergeant and senior sergeant | Pre-employment checks (fitness, medical and psychological tests) | Applicants compete for vacant positions under a merit based selection process. Details of vacancies are provided by PAEU. | HRD-PRIOR-POLICING-MGR@police.vic.gov.au (External link) |
| Inspector to commander | Pre-employment checks (which may include fitness, medical and psychological tests) | Applicants compete for vacant positions under a merit based selection process. Positions are advertised at jobs.careers.vic.gov.au. | careers.vic.gov.au (External link) |
Consider VPS roles
Before returning to a sworn position, some former police officers have taken-up public service (VPS) roles as a way of re-orienting themselves with Victoria Police and current policing issues and practices. VPS vacancies are advertised on careers.vic.gov.au. (External link)
Useful links
- Quick Guide on applying for positions
- Victoria Police Blue Paper (External link)
- VEOHRC Independent Review (External link)
- Mental Health Review (External link)
- Victoria Police Capability Plan (External link)