SLB777

Hi,

I am currently a serving police officer in the UK with 8 years experience and am planning to move to the Northern Beaches, NSW next year with my husband and young family. I am hoping to apply to join NSW police in 2-3 years time when my children are old enough for me to undertake the 14 week police training course.

Untill then, I would like to work as a civilian within NSW police; can anyone please advise me on what opportunites there are in this field and what different roles there are, also where they are advertised? I would like to get as prepared as possible so any advice or information woould be greatly appreciated.

Also, if anyone has any experience of working as a police officer in NSW and can offer any advice/insights into selection process/ training course and how the job differs out there?
Thanks.

pumpkin blossom

Each police force has a recruitment drive every now and again. I believe that is the only time you can apply as a police officer. South Australia just swore a lot of Brits and south Africans this week.
I don't think working as a civilian is an option for you (but I am no expert, just going off what I have read on here).
I think each state has a website for their police which they say when they are recruiting foreign police, but I would imagin they would advertise somewhere else too.

Good luck.

geordiebloke

I can't see any problems with you applying for a non police related role. Depending on what the job entails, may require you to have permanent residency as a minimum

SLB777

Yes, I'm sure I would need permenant residency before applying for a civilain job. Pumpkin Blossom: is there any reason you think a civilian job wouldn't be an option for me?

Pollyana

Most State governments require PR before you can hold a permanent position with them - that includes the State police.

pumpkin blossom

Yep, as Pollyanna said. And unless you have a partner who is going to apply for PR in their own right, then you will have to be sponsored as a police officer (as that is your current job, not a civilian job). It is your skills as a police officer they want.

SLB777

Guys, I'm not asking for advice on how to get into australia or PR or visas, I should have been clear- that's all in hand with my husbands job who has already had sponsorship offers. My original post was asking for advice on The different types of civilian jobs within the police for me to look at applying for when I arrive in oz and if there is anywhere I can look now?!!

Pollyana

I think the majority get advertised through http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruit...lian_positions

Civilian jobs here are a lot less common than back home though - forensics/fingerprints for example is still largely for serving officers.

Toe Dipper

Be prepared to spend all your time behind a speed gun, as that is all they seem to do here. Oh, and loose any sense of humour/common sense!!

TD

paddyo

Yeah, when you decide to actually join just go and watch old episodes of The Sweeney for advice on NSW Police tactics and ethics!!
Key skills 'Warn firing Tazer- Shoot with gun - Blame victim - Undergo Counselling - Destroy victims family through media lies and manipulation of other corrupt officers'. Just saying!
I have several friends in the UK police forces of all ranks and also an ex UK Met copper who is now Federal Police here and they are appalled at how things occur here. I am sure there are some fantastic people in the NSW Police, but its lets down by poor standards and some abysmal media communications.

Swerv-o

Yes, and you can also forget all of that tactical communication stuff they teach you about maintaining a reactionary gap and not invading personal space etc. In NSW a reactionary gap is the designated inch between the cop's face and that of the offender as the cop just balls at them at the top of their voice.

And also get used to standing on the carriageway to speak to a driver through their window during a stop-check. This I find absolutely bizarre - how more cops aren't cleaned up by passing traffic is beyond me...


S

John Albany

NSW Police Force is just like any other police force, except it is larger than most. It has the same wide range of roles for non sworn staff - from caring for the horses and feeding the dogs to clerical and admin work in police stations to media relations, IT, legal, procurement, property management, HR etc etc. Competition for all roles is tough and even temporary employment is reserved for permanent residents. The only way in for non PRs is agency work. By definition these are short term placements, but if your face fits it can become longer term. Most if not all the big temp agencies place with government bodies. I am not aware of any that specialise in placements with police.

It is unlikely that these temporary agency assignments will be advertised so its a case of registering and waiting for something to crop up in your field. Local experience is not always required depending on the role.

You can also try the NSW Crime Commission and NSW Police Intergity Commission - same restrictions on PR and also small organisations so fewer opportunities. The AFP and Australian Crime Commission also have offices in NSW - but they are also likely to require citizenship.

All temporary and permanent nsw government jobs including with police, nswcc and nswpic are advertised on the jobs.nsw.gov.au website - you can set up a profile and be emailed when a match comes up (noting that PR is a requirement).

Good luck.

FifetoOz

Hi SLB, I an an expat and now a serving sworn officer within the NSW Police.

As with any force as you can see by some of the replies there are a few haters out there! In my experience NSW Police is no different from any force back home in that are good and bad Police, hardworking and lazy Police.

If you think there is a lack of respect fro Police in the UK, wait until you get into the job here!

A previous poster was correct, the size of the force here is massive, I think it is about the 3rd largest force in the English speaking world, as a result there are more opportunities than back home.

If there are any questions I can answer with regard to the recruitment process, training or what it is like to work as an operational police officer here, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Chris N Lora

http://www.csu.edu.au/courses/underg...ourse-overview.

I am currently going through the process of doing the course for NSW they would not accept me directly into the service over here however recongnised my previous policing/prison experience in England ... I will miss out loads of the course as said the prior learning .. will assist me in doing the last mod prior to going out as a probationary constable.

remember the uni course is unpaid they may offer a scholarship ...

FifetoOz

If I can be of any help with anything, just drop me a message. Have you started at Goulburn Yet?