Life with WAPOL anyone?
Oct 7th 2012, 2:08 pm
#1
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Life with WAPOL anyone?
I'm a UK (GMP) officer and have applied for the WA Police as part of the recent recruitment.
I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me a little more about what life would be like if I'm successful?
I've travelled the East Coast of Aus and had heard a lot of good stuff about Perth but WA is massive and I should imagine the likelihood of being posted there is slim. Plus I keep being told that WA is very sparsely populated and I could end up in the middle of nowhere.
I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me a little more about what life would be like if I'm successful?
I've travelled the East Coast of Aus and had heard a lot of good stuff about Perth but WA is massive and I should imagine the likelihood of being posted there is slim. Plus I keep being told that WA is very sparsely populated and I could end up in the middle of nowhere.
Oct 7th 2012, 2:52 pm
#2
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
From what I've been told ( and I'm sure I will be corrected if wrong) is that on passing you will be posted to Perth Metro policing area for a probationary/ settling in period. After 2 years, like any other new recruit to WAPol you will be eligible to apply for specialist postings as and when vacancies become available.
From what I can gather, 'Country' is a posting like joining the dog unit or CID. You apply to do it, though WAPol encourage all officers to do a certain amount. (I think that they like each officer to do at least 2 years of country, which all of WA outside of Perth City!) In the more rural areas they may provide housing.
It's a challenging posting as you will be some distance from the support of the specialist units, so will be expected to deal with everything from accident investigation, crime scenes to school liason.
P
From what I can gather, 'Country' is a posting like joining the dog unit or CID. You apply to do it, though WAPol encourage all officers to do a certain amount. (I think that they like each officer to do at least 2 years of country, which all of WA outside of Perth City!) In the more rural areas they may provide housing.
It's a challenging posting as you will be some distance from the support of the specialist units, so will be expected to deal with everything from accident investigation, crime scenes to school liason.
P
Oct 8th 2012, 2:35 am
#3
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,680
Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
I'm a UK (GMP) officer and have applied for the WA Police as part of the recent recruitment.
I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me a little more about what life would be like if I'm successful?
I've travelled the East Coast of Aus and had heard a lot of good stuff about Perth but WA is massive and I should imagine the likelihood of being posted there is slim. Plus I keep being told that WA is very sparsely populated and I could end up in the middle of nowhere.
I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me a little more about what life would be like if I'm successful?
I've travelled the East Coast of Aus and had heard a lot of good stuff about Perth but WA is massive and I should imagine the likelihood of being posted there is slim. Plus I keep being told that WA is very sparsely populated and I could end up in the middle of nowhere.
I just noticed that you are currently a GMP officer and wanted to pass my deepest condolences to you and your colleagues over the terrible loss of Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes.
All the best with your plans for a life down under
Dread - x
such a waste.
Oct 8th 2012, 7:15 am
#5
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
My son has just graduated WAPOL Academy. He was a Special Constable in Lancashire before he made the move, luckily he already had permanent residency status, but he had to do the whole 28weeks training program.
He has already met many ex UK police officers and they have all said they prefer policing over here .....(don't recall what it was they preferred
)
If you have any specific questions you would like answered I am happy to put them to him but we also have a few WA expat Cops on here who may pop in to say hi!
Good luck with what ever you decide
He has already met many ex UK police officers and they have all said they prefer policing over here .....(don't recall what it was they preferred
)If you have any specific questions you would like answered I am happy to put them to him but we also have a few WA expat Cops on here who may pop in to say hi!
Good luck with what ever you decide
Oct 8th 2012, 7:31 am
#6
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
OK now I am no expert on this BUT here is my limited understanding from what my son has just gone through.
From what I've been told ( and I'm sure I will be corrected if wrong) is that on passing you will be posted to Perth Metro policing area for a probationary/ settling in period.
When you graduate you are on probation for 18months. This is not necessarily served in the Metro area. It can be, and many of my sons squad have been posted in the greater Perth area BUT there are also others that have gone to regional areas, etc Broome, Geraldton, Mandurah and inland from Perth too. Others have been attached to the Traffic Division - namely 'Booze Bus'
After 2 years, like any other new recruit to WAPol you will be eligible to apply for specialist postings as and when vacancies become available.
I don't know of the timescale involved but you are eligible to apply for other postings...some postings have minimum tenures that you must serve at a station but I don't know the ins and outs of times etc won't give duff information.
From what I can gather, 'Country' is a posting like joining the dog unit or CID. You apply to do it, though WAPol encourage all officers to do a certain amount. (I think that they like each officer to do at least 2 years of country, which all of WA outside of Perth City!) In the more rural areas they may provide housing.
Again I'm not 100% on the timescale but yes Officers are expected to do Rural service. I believe, don't quote me on this but I'm reasonably confident that you are able to request a rural posting at anytime ?? SOME rural areas do indeed offer greatly subsidised housing.............not all areas that are classed as rural/regional do this though so don't take it for granted that living out of the metropolitan area means cheaper housing. Example ..Bunbury is classed as a regional area but does not attract any extra penalties or housing benefits.
It's a challenging posting as you will be some distance from the support of the specialist units, so will be expected to deal with everything from accident investigation, crime scenes to school liason.
this one is oh so true! A colleagues daughter graduated a couple years ago and was posted to a rural town....she really wasn't looking forward to it at the time but with hindsight she loves the fact that her role isn't pigeon holed and she gets a real variety in her working day. But Yes sometimes that means dealing with some of the nastier stuff that you may not have to do in a metropolitan area.
I believe Police Officers are born and not made...it takes a very special person to go into the profession and I admire each and everyone of them that goes out onto the streets each day. Stay safe
P
When you graduate you are on probation for 18months. This is not necessarily served in the Metro area. It can be, and many of my sons squad have been posted in the greater Perth area BUT there are also others that have gone to regional areas, etc Broome, Geraldton, Mandurah and inland from Perth too. Others have been attached to the Traffic Division - namely 'Booze Bus'
After 2 years, like any other new recruit to WAPol you will be eligible to apply for specialist postings as and when vacancies become available.
I don't know of the timescale involved but you are eligible to apply for other postings...some postings have minimum tenures that you must serve at a station but I don't know the ins and outs of times etc won't give duff information.
From what I can gather, 'Country' is a posting like joining the dog unit or CID. You apply to do it, though WAPol encourage all officers to do a certain amount. (I think that they like each officer to do at least 2 years of country, which all of WA outside of Perth City!) In the more rural areas they may provide housing.
Again I'm not 100% on the timescale but yes Officers are expected to do Rural service. I believe, don't quote me on this but I'm reasonably confident that you are able to request a rural posting at anytime ?? SOME rural areas do indeed offer greatly subsidised housing.............not all areas that are classed as rural/regional do this though so don't take it for granted that living out of the metropolitan area means cheaper housing. Example ..Bunbury is classed as a regional area but does not attract any extra penalties or housing benefits.
It's a challenging posting as you will be some distance from the support of the specialist units, so will be expected to deal with everything from accident investigation, crime scenes to school liason.
this one is oh so true! A colleagues daughter graduated a couple years ago and was posted to a rural town....she really wasn't looking forward to it at the time but with hindsight she loves the fact that her role isn't pigeon holed and she gets a real variety in her working day. But Yes sometimes that means dealing with some of the nastier stuff that you may not have to do in a metropolitan area.I believe Police Officers are born and not made...it takes a very special person to go into the profession and I admire each and everyone of them that goes out onto the streets each day. Stay safe
P
Oct 8th 2012, 6:16 pm
#7
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
Hi,
thanks for that.
Filled a few knowledge holes for me !
P
thanks for that.
Filled a few knowledge holes for me !
P
Oct 9th 2012, 4:35 pm
#8
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
Cheers. I cant help but feel its a sad sign of the times!
Oct 9th 2012, 4:40 pm
#9
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
One more question. Those that do get posted out of the Perth area - either after the academy or when they go for a country posting - do they enjoy it or hate having to live so far from 'civilisation'.
I quite like the peace and quiet when I go walking / camping in the country over here but I'm sure living it for sometime might not be so relaxing!?!
John
Oct 10th 2012, 1:49 am
#10
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
Nice one - plenty of good info cheers.
One more question. Those that do get posted out of the Perth area - either after the academy or when they go for a country posting - do they enjoy it or hate having to live so far from 'civilisation'.
I quite like the peace and quiet when I go walking / camping in the country over here but I'm sure living it for sometime might not be so relaxing!?!
John
One more question. Those that do get posted out of the Perth area - either after the academy or when they go for a country posting - do they enjoy it or hate having to live so far from 'civilisation'.
I quite like the peace and quiet when I go walking / camping in the country over here but I'm sure living it for sometime might not be so relaxing!?!
John
Oct 14th 2012, 6:46 am
#12
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
I'm a UK (GMP) officer and have applied for the WA Police as part of the recent recruitment.
I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me a little more about what life would be like if I'm successful?
I've travelled the East Coast of Aus and had heard a lot of good stuff about Perth but WA is massive and I should imagine the likelihood of being posted there is slim. Plus I keep being told that WA is very sparsely populated and I could end up in the middle of nowhere.
I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me a little more about what life would be like if I'm successful?
I've travelled the East Coast of Aus and had heard a lot of good stuff about Perth but WA is massive and I should imagine the likelihood of being posted there is slim. Plus I keep being told that WA is very sparsely populated and I could end up in the middle of nowhere.
You will be based in the metro area for the first two years after you finish your 12 week academy course (minimum tenure) This can only be broken if you decide to apply for a country posting, or a specialist unit (nothing stopping you from doing that) After two years, you can stay where you are or apply for other metro areas (vacancies permitting).
Most guys generally start looking to be based closer to home, when the opportunity comes up.
At the minute, the choice of metro stations available to new transitionals is quite limited. I think Perth (city centre & outlying stations) South East Metro and Peel District are the only ones available, unless that has been changed recently.
Though in theory, you are expected to do your country service at some stage, nobody gets forced to do it these days, not saying they couldn't though.
I'd jump at the chance to go country and will do as soon as my domestic circumstances change. Most people who go country love it and often only return to Perth for family reasons, i.e. schooling etc.
Oct 14th 2012, 8:56 pm
#13
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
Jonny, if you're coming as a transitional officer, you will not be subject to the same process as the new recruits, such as a probationary period.
You will be based in the metro area for the first two years after you finish your 12 week academy course (minimum tenure) This can only be broken if you decide to apply for a country posting, or a specialist unit (nothing stopping you from doing that) After two years, you can stay where you are or apply for other metro areas (vacancies permitting).
Most guys generally start looking to be based closer to home, when the opportunity comes up.
At the minute, the choice of metro stations available to new transitionals is quite limited. I think Perth (city centre & outlying stations) South East Metro and Peel District are the only ones available, unless that has been changed recently.
Though in theory, you are expected to do your country service at some stage, nobody gets forced to do it these days, not saying they couldn't though.
I'd jump at the chance to go country and will do as soon as my domestic circumstances change. Most people who go country love it and often only return to Perth for family reasons, i.e. schooling etc.
You will be based in the metro area for the first two years after you finish your 12 week academy course (minimum tenure) This can only be broken if you decide to apply for a country posting, or a specialist unit (nothing stopping you from doing that) After two years, you can stay where you are or apply for other metro areas (vacancies permitting).
Most guys generally start looking to be based closer to home, when the opportunity comes up.
At the minute, the choice of metro stations available to new transitionals is quite limited. I think Perth (city centre & outlying stations) South East Metro and Peel District are the only ones available, unless that has been changed recently.
Though in theory, you are expected to do your country service at some stage, nobody gets forced to do it these days, not saying they couldn't though.
I'd jump at the chance to go country and will do as soon as my domestic circumstances change. Most people who go country love it and often only return to Perth for family reasons, i.e. schooling etc.
Are you serving with WAPOL?
Nov 4th 2012, 10:55 am
#14
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Re: Life with WAPOL anyone?
Is anybody on here serving with WAPOL or know people that are?