One of the biggest misconceptions about becoming a Victoria Police officer is the minimum age you need to be to apply.
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Victoria Police recruitment marketing co-ordinator Angela Vescovi said young applicants must be 18 or older and have their VCE, VCAL or equivalent qualification to be considered.
Mrs Vescovi said she was often asked by parents and school careers counsellors about subject selection and if applicants had to be 21-years-old to apply, which wasn’t the case.
“You can’t make a blanket call,” Mrs Vescovi said.
“Each individual is assessed on their own merit. There can be a big difference between any two 18-year-olds. We assess each application individually.”
This and other entry requirements were discussed at a police recruitment information session in Warrnambool on Wednesday. More than 100 people attended and heard about the different positions available, the recruitment process, application tips and the necessary attributes required.
Mrs Vescovi said policing was both a challenging and rewarding role and highlighted the training and opportunities available. She encouraged teens to study school subjects they enjoyed and discouraged them from completing other police courses, stating that the police academy program provided the relevant training required.
Warrnambool Senior Sergeant Deon Townsend-Booth and Police Custody Officer Chris Glisson shared insight about what a day for them could involve.
Senior Sergeant Townsend-Booth said the best part of his job was working in a great team, mentoring others and sharing his experiences. “I enjoy getting up and going to work,” he said.
While there is ‘no typical day’, challenges could include dealing with drug or alcohol affected people and fatalities. He said his most upsetting jobs were attending homes where cot deaths had occurred. “Having a young son about the same age was quite distressing,” he said.
He said applicants completed extensive training and there was a range of support services, education and career progression available to officers throughout their employment.
“The reality is you will be faced with and confronted with certain things you would never in your lifetime have to encounter,” Senior Sergeant Townsend-Booth said. “We’ve all been exposed to different things.”
A Women in Policing session will be held at the Warrnambool Bowls Club on October 13. For more information go to the Victoria Police Recruitment Facebook page or book here