What they do
A police officer maintains public order, and enforces laws by investigating crimes, patrolling public areas, and arresting suspected offenders.
They assist people in emergency situations and coordinate emergency management procedures. Police officers also play an important role educating the community about crime prevention and creating safer communities. Police officers must also write reports and maintain information databases on a daily basis.
Working conditions
Most police officers begin their careers in Frontline or Operational Policing. An operational police officer is often the first on the scene in response to calls for help or public disorder incidents. Operational police officers are seen as the 'human face' of the WA Police Service and their work involves constant liaison with the community. Police officers must also write reports and maintain information databases on a daily basis.
There is also an expectation that police officers be prepared to work anywhere in Western Australia, and they can be expected to work shifts of up to 12 hours at a time. Police officers in country towns are expected to handle almost all aspects of policing and can gain a great deal of experience in a variety of roles.
Tools and technologies
Police officers, particularly those working as frontline police officers, need to have good driving skills, to pursue another vehicle or to get to the scene of an incident quickly and safely. Police officers can choose to carry and use a firearm, a taser, oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray (pepper spray), an expandable baton, and handcuffs, and they must know how to use a hand held radio.
Police officers also need basic computing and typing skills.
How do I become one?
Education and training
To join the WA Police, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and pass a traffic and criminal check. You also need to hold a current Provide First Aid Certificate and a ‘C’ class driver’s licence.
Applicants who meet these pre-requirements will be invited to commence the selection process, involving a series of written, physical, psychological, medical, background and integrity checks.
Successful applicants are required to attend a 28-week training course at the Western Australian Police Academy in Joondalup. This is followed by an 18-month probationary period.
If you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, Maori or Pacific Islander and 17 years or older, you can apply for a cadet traineeship through the Western Australia Police Department. You will need to have Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency in Australia.
Contact Step Forward, the official website for WA Police Force Recruiting, for more information.
You can also undertake the two-year Associate Degree in Criminology and Justice at Edith Cowan University. However, if you wish to apply for a position as a police officer, you will need to apply for the six-month Police Academy Practicum at the start of your third semester of university study. Confirm your eligibility to become a police officer in Western Australia prior to enrolling in the course. Contact Edith Cowan University for more information.
Apprenticeships and traineeships
As an apprentice or trainee, you enter into a formal training contract with an employer, enabling you to complete training towards a nationally recognised qualification. You spend time working and learning practical skills on the job and you spend some time undertaking structured training with a registered training provider.
You can do an apprenticeship or traineeship if you are a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or as an adult or mature-aged person wishing to change careers. You can even begin your apprenticeship or traineeship while you're still at school.
If you are still at school you can access an apprenticeship through your school. Talk to your school's VET Co-ordinator to start your training now through VET in Schools. If you are no longer at school you can apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship and get paid while you learn and work.