familyof4

Oh dear, that is one hell of a wait, hope it turns out for you!

Fingers crossed for you all!

Michelle

midlands

Same as. Fingers crossed then for SAPOL to come through.

StuArc

A colleague of mine recently applied to WAPOL (missed it as i was on holidays) and has received a letter indicating that owing to financial issues, the applications are on hold!?!?

Anyone else had the same?

Smudge73

Yep, everyone I've spoken to has had the same update from WAPOL.
Nothing has been cancelled (yet), just delayed until the new financial year. Like every Police Force worldwide they'll be governed by the cash till. Frustrating as it is, guess we just sit and wait now.

redmen

I have had the same reply, currently with GMP with 10 yrs service, I know they are concentrating on 3 to 7 yrs service but hey anything is better than this, gotta give it a go. Got some feed back also from colleagues who joined SAPOL. One friend left and is currently working for the government and another joined STAR ( specialist tasks and rescue ) I think it is SAPOLS version of the T.A.U. I am under the impression post April we ( WAPOL Applicants ) should here some news ( good news ) has anyone taken the tests/interviews before, any feed back out there. here's waiting in anticipation.

scotoz

Is it possible for an American to get a work visa with being in a US force?

TZracer

Hi there, Re a U.S. Police Officer getting a work visa for OZ, I would stick my neck out and say it's certainly possible. I know that WAPOL have hired at least one former US Police Officer under the International employment scheme and SAPOL have a couple of US and Canadians but unsure if they were police officers employed under this scheme. There were none going through training when I did, but you will never know unless you ask.

scotoz

He would be a fully trained officer, if he cant get a job in mechanical engineerinmg (to get qualified) he is either going to be a police officer or diesel fitter (his father is one in the US)

Which is the better trade to go for?

TZracer

Well in my experience with SAPOL (I've got an application in for another force)I'd say Diesel Fitter, tradespeople here are highly sought after and I would say the pay would be about the same. Since they closed the Visa loop hole (I was lucky) if you join one of the police forces you are bound by the visa to stay in the job. In a trade you can move around, different employers, different States etc.
But again, it's what interests you the most.

scotoz

Do you know what the average pay is for the 2 professions? Is it lower pay or enough to survive in Oz?

Thanks

TZracer

I'm not sure what the trades people earn, depends on your status, self employed or employee I suppose. But lets put it this way, I remember my first year as police officer here and it was financially hard, things are not as cheap as you are lead to believe. As I always tell people it pays to do some research on the occupations or even come for a visit and actually ask people in the occupation. SAPOL stated they are trying to improve conditions for overseas recruits, but some of the newer people still aren't staying in too long.

madogs and Irish Men

Hi Guys and Girls,

Glad to see that there alot of you seem to be on the same wave length as myself i.e. WAPOL seems to be the place to be applying for. I was initially in the running for the SAPOL application but they just wanted far to much information in such a short time frame so pulled out of that one. I hope I dont regret that decision i.e. all the eggs in one Basket etc.

So long story short application is in FOR WAPOL and OUT for SAPOL.

Best of luck to you all in the application process.

Smudge73 you seemed to have done some serious research your not an analyst or work on the SB / Int side of the house do you?

Anyway Glad to have found this thread and will keep you updated with the progress.

MadDogs and Irish Men

redmen

Hi Madog,
Just an update with the WAPOL recruitment at present. I have been informed from a former UK colleague in SAPOL ( he is considering applying to transfer to WAPOL ) that Oz is also going through a recession at present. The government have placed a 3% cut in all budgets Inc police. this has had an effect on the recruiting process as due to the recession, fewer jobs are becoming available, ie mines are closing etc and former officers are applying back to the police ( for security ). So they are concentrating on this at present. I like all others have received the e mail which is telling us of the delay in the international recruitment drive. Not the best news we could wish for, but the drive has not been forgotten it is just a matter of time (until next financial year June to June in Oz I have been told.) anyway hope we all here something soon and best of luck to all.

madogs and Irish Men

HI redmen,

Cheers for the Update. I have to say I was hoping that the Finacial year was more like April to April. Oops its going to be a long wait and competition will be tough by the looks of things.

The email I recived was much the same i.e. things on hold until New Finacial Year.

I may have to start going back to me roots in boring IT Stuff (My life before being in Police) because the family and I really want to make the Move to West Oz.

I have even been considering Canberra (IT Job propsects appear quite Good) as a starter but the only thing I know about Canberra is what the Governement has sent me through (Glossy Brochures etc) so no real knowledge of what it could be like so any advice greatly appreciated.

Anyway thanks for the update and again any hints advice appreciated.

Cheers

Madogs

Leighj

Hi all. I'm currently in my first year with SAPOL, having moved from a UK counties force last year. If anyone needs any advice then feel free to PM me. Just a word of advice on the open forum:- If you can, avoid joining any station posting with a front office!! - You'll end up doing a role on a regular basis, that should and could be civvy employed, and pulling your hair out at the end of your shift with the sheer frustration of it!!!!! It is the singular worst thing I have encountered here. Absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. The shift can be desperately short of officers and yet we have to supply two to the front office on occasions.