Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website contains the names and images of people who have passed
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website contains the names and images of people who have passed
230
Bridging courses for police training
That where Aboriginal applicants wish to join a service who appear otherwise to be suitable but whose general standard of education is insufficient, means should be available to allow those persons to undertake a bridging course before entering upon the specific police training.
Aboriginal Justice Caucus Assessment
Recommendation 230 intended for bridging courses to be provided for Aboriginal applicants who lack the necessary educational prerequisites to qualify for police training.
In Victoria, barriers to joining the police force have been removed. There are no educational prerequisites to apply for employment with Victoria Police, there aren’t any specific pre-requisite subjects or Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank requirements.
Support for Aboriginal applicants and Initiatives like the School Based Traineeship Program, Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment Program and Constable Qualifying Program have contributed to increasing the number of Aboriginal people employed by Victoria Police to 148 in 2023-24. However, Aboriginal people remain under-represented in the Victoria Police workforce, accounting for around 0.7% of all staff compared with 1% of the Victorian population.
This recommendation is less relevant today than when it was made, as bridging courses are not required in the absence of educational entry requirements.
Priority for Further Work:
Low
Relevance and potential impact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (0-2) | Moderate (3-4) | High (5-6) | |||
Extent of action taken and evidence of outcomes | High (5-6) | ||||
Moderate (3-4) | |||||
Low (0-2) | |||||
Potential Actions for Further Work
Victoria Police Aboriginal employment data
Victoria Police to provide data annually to the Aboriginal Justice Forum on numbers of Aboriginal recruits, the proportion that complete Police Academy training and enter the force, and the duration of their retention compared to non-Aboriginal recruits. Data on Aboriginal employment by role (recruit, PSO, PCO, sworn member, ACLO) to also be provided.
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) noted that although many police officers supported the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, some opposed reducing educational or other entry standards. As a result, the Commission recommended offering bridging courses to help suitable candidates meet the necessary requirements before beginning police training.
Actions Taken Since Last Review
Victoria Police
Victoria Police assessed this recommendation as fully implemented in 2023, noting that there are no education requirements to apply for Victoria Police, no specific pre-requisite subject requirements and no Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank requirements. A range of programs to support Aboriginal applicants are in place:
School-Based Traineeship Program
The School-Based Traineeship Program for Aboriginal and new emerging communities was first funded in 2018 by Jobs Victoria to provide work placements/training opportunities for students completing years 10-12 at high school. Aboriginal students who are interested in having a career with government departments, including Victoria Police, are eligible to apply to join the Program.
Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment Program
In 2022, the Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment Program eligibility expanded to participants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The first seven participants of the Victoria Police Aboriginal Diversity Recruitment Program graduated in February 2023. The program is delivered in partnership with Victoria University and Jesuit Social Services, with support from various other external providers, and supports applicants to prepare for and navigate the recruitment process to become police officers, Protective Services Officers (PSO) or Police Custody Officers (PCO). The program itself commenced in 2018 and has expanded to a 15-week accredited course. The course is designed to build skills, including exam preparation, fitness, swimming and first aid. All participants are matched with a Victoria Police mentor, attend a tour of the Victoria Police Academy, and attend presentations from guest speakers throughout the course. An entry round for participants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander was planned for August 2023.
Changes to VCE requirements
People under the age of 21 are no longer required to have a VCE or equivalent qualification to apply to become a police officer. Skills and ability gained from life experience now play a larger role in determining applicant suitability as part of police recruitment.
Constable Qualifying Program
The Constable Qualifying Program (CQP) is available as a pathway for suitably experienced PSOs seeking to transition to the role of police constable. A key feature of this pathway is the requirement for PSOs to undertake the Police Foundation Training Course as part of a police squad. The pathway design complements and acknowledges a PSO's prior operational experience and better equips them for the role of constable by undertaking training that is more reflective of the challenges faced by frontline members. PSOs will also be enrolled in the Diploma of Policing.
Impact
Outputs
School-Based Traineeship, Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment and Constable Qualifying Programs described above.
Outcomes
Aboriginal people employed by Victoria Police
Over time the number of Aboriginal people employed by Victoria Police increased to 148 in 2023-24 but the proportion of Aboriginal employees (as a percentage of all employees) has only slightly increased over the past five years to 0.7%.
Community Views
At past Community Forums and Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee meetings, Aboriginal community members sought confirmation that Victoria Police’s school-based traineeships would continue. It was confirmed (in 2019) that there were 20 state-wide school-based traineeships funded by the Victorian Government through the Jobs Victoria initiative. Nine of the 20 traineeships were allocated to the Barwon Southwest region. The traineeships have proven to be a great foundation for improving relationships and setting young Aboriginal people on a path to a career working for Victoria Police. The traineeships will continue if funding is available.
Aiden's story – journey from school-based trainee to Victoria Police employee
While I was at school, I had the opportunity to do a school-based traineeship at the Moe Police Station one day each week. This helped me to gain a Certificate 3 in Business Administration and make some good relationships.
I became a much better person through my knowledge and experience along the way.
I was nominated for the Koorie Student of the year at the Victorian State Training Awards, and I was runner-up top four from across the state.
After the program, I was successful in gaining a business administration job and I left school early. Within a short period of time, I received a call from Skillinvest about the Youth Cadetship at Victoria Police, applied and was successful in gaining a role at the Priority and Safer Communities Division.
During the two years as a cadet, I gained a Certificate 4 in Government.