Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment program begins second phase

Due to the success of the pilot, a second phase focusing on culturally and linguistically diverse background (CALD) and Aboriginal communities has now been funded.

Wednesday 18 May 2022

Due to the success of the Victoria Police (VicPol) Diversity Recruitment Program pilot, a second phase has now been funded focusing on attracting applicants from culturally and linguistically diverse background (CALD) and Aboriginal communities.

The pilot, structured around the 22512VIC Course in Policing Recruitment Pathways, focused on African Australian recruits. This second phase program will focus on outer metropolitan regions and regional Victoria over the next two years.

Victoria University (VU) partners with the Jesuit Social Services, Victoria Police, Africause, AMES Australia, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and MatchWorks JobActive on this important initiative.

Over six rounds, the Program demonstrated significant success and benefits including:

118 participants enrolling in the program
88 participants completing VU’s 15-week 22512VIC Course in Policing Recruitment Pathways
70 participants applying to Victoria Police after completing the course
51 participants successfully passing the Victoria Police Entrance Exam
19 participants being employed by Victoria Police in police, protective services officer or police custody officer roles.

A further 15 participants have secured work through alternative pathways including the Army Reserve, Australian Border Force and prison services with Corrections Victoria.

Fitness challenges

Victoria Police require stringent levels of both strength and cardiovascular fitness. The VicPol Diversity Recruitment Program instructors work in close collaboration with the VU Sport staff who provide the instructor-led gym and swim sessions and customise the training programs to ensure that the students maximise the opportunity to reach their, and Victoria Police’s, fitness goals.

Sport Facilities Coordinator Mimi Craig has worked with VU swimming trainers to develop a program for the students to work on to be able to achieve the end goals. “It is great to see the enthusiasm and camaraderie between the students helping each other along the way,” said Mimi.

Kate Savage, teacher and coordinator of the VicPol Diversity Recruitment Program at VU Polytechnic, attended the first swim session and observed how quickly the students improved their breathing and technique in just one session. “Building up confidence in the water is critical but the instructors make sure the sessions were fun and informative,” said Kate.