Have you ever thought of becoming a cop?
Well, whether you are fresh out of school and want to make a difference in your community, or if you are looking for a career change and wanting to fulfil a lifelong dream, now could be your chance.
Oxley and New England Police Departments are teaming for a Police Expo and Career Day in Tamworth, Armidale and Moree.
“The aim is to recruit people from our regional areas,” said Inspector Michael Moy.
“Once they’re accepted into the police and they finish their training, we then have them placed back in our hometowns where possible.”
And being a regional cop has its perks.
On top of fair wages, diverse learning, and the cost of living out in the bush verse the big smoke, you can build a career right at home. And you get paid to train.
“In the past, they’ve had to move away from their town, but now they’re not leaving their family and friends and they can stay and have that family life and enjoy where they’re living already.”
The expo will showcase the vast range of police force career pathways, and some you may not have known about. These include:
- Studying at Charles Sturt University
- Dog Unit
- Forensic Evidence and Technical Services (FETS)
- Local police
- Prosecutors
- Marine area command
- Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit (RBDU)
- Recruitment branch
- Rural crime prevention team
- Shared services
- Tactical Operations and Response Services (TORS)
- Traffic and Highway Patrol Command (THPC)
- Youth command
- VKG (Police radio)
See something you like and want to know more?
This pilot program will start in Tamworth, July 5, before moving to Armidale on Saturday, July 6 and finally Moree on Sunday, July 7.
“We’re going to have a lot of demonstrations and information from a lot of sections within the police and showing the opportunities that are available to anyone who wishes to join the force,” said Inspector Moy.
“We want school leavers, but we also want mature age people too, because they’ve already led a life that they know what it’s like living within a community, And this is now giving them the opportunity to join.”
What does joining look like
Gone are the days of moving to the city to join the academy for years.
The force has joined the modern era of delivering online.
“The first part of your training is done online for three to four months, and you just go online and then one weekend a month, you go to the academy.” said Inspector Moy.
“And then the second part of it, you do three months down at the academy from the time and come back to your hometown.”
If this sounds like something you, or someone you know, would be interested in, spread the word.
To apply, you need to be an Australian citizen over the age of 18 with a current driver’s licence. Criminal history checks are also carried out on recruit to determine eligibility.
The expos will have about 200 career options on display, and there are plenty of jobs available with some 1500 additional police needed across the state.
“There’s never been a better time for people wanting to join the police than right now,” said Inspector Moy.
Event Details
Tamworth Sports Dome – Friday July 5, 10am to 5pm
Armidale Showground – Saturday July 6, 10am to 4pm
Moree PCYC – Sunday July 7, 10am to 4pm
There will be a BBQ and prizes up for grabs on the day.