Celebrating the Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment Program - applications now open

On Thursday 5 May 2022, we celebrated the contribution and impact of the Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment Program to the community. Nineteen participants from African-Australian backgrounds are now employed by Victoria Police and we are currently recruiting for the next round of the program with expanded eligibility to include all culturally and linguistically diverse and First Nations applicants.

Program alumni Constable Birtukan Weaven-Cahill — the first female participant — was a guest speaker at the event, joined by Minister Gayle Tierney (Minister for Higher Education, Skills and Training), Paul Edbrooke MP (Parliamentary Secretary for Police) and Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius.

So far, 138 African Australians have enrolled in the police preparation program with VU Polytechnic. Eighty-eight participants have completed the course with 51 successfully passing. Nineteen of those participants are now employed by Victoria Police with 15 chosen for alternative employment into army reserve, border force and prison services.

About the program

The Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment Program seeks to increase the representation of people from under-represented cultural communities in the Victoria Police recruitment process. This includes, but is not limited to, First Nations Peoples of Australia applicants, Maori or Pasifika applicants and applicants who are of Middle Eastern, East Asian, South Asian, South American and African heritage.

This program focuses on the challenges encountered by people from under-represented communities who apply to join Victoria Police. The program is designed to assist and provide support to applicants.

Support provided to participants

• Participant assessment, and guidance on recruitment pathway options
• Guidance and support on cultural differences and expectations
• Mentoring, support and guidance to participants to succeed through each stage of the recruitment process
• 15-week Course in Policing Recruitment Pathways to build skills and capabilities for success through the recruitment process
• Support and mentoring during the Police Academy training and ongoing mentoring following deployment to police stations.

Applications are now open for the program. Applicants who reside in the Hume, Darebin and Moreland Local Government Areas are strongly encouraged to apply. You can apply here.