denny1739

hi,

I am current serving police officer with Merseyside police

I have spent the past 2 days reading messages on the site after i was advised about the site by a work colleague. I am looking to apply for WA police recruitment drive (May 18th 2007) and was hoping someone could give me some guidance on a few points

If anyone who has gone thru process could advise on time lines from application deadline - thru to sitting the tests- then interview and fitness and possible start dates.

Also i believe you have to get a visa, medical checks and police checks - at what point do you arrange these? There is also mention on the website about first aid certificates - is this just a standard course you can get through your own force? or do they want you to pay for a specialist course.

Lastly for people who have completed the move can you advise on what help they give you in terms of cost of flight and accommodation. If i am successful i will making the huge change on my own as a single female - i have a few worries about any support that is or isnt offered when you move. I probably wont have much money to take over with me as i will keep my house in liverpool - will i be able to afford a place to live? i know the wages are less there but standard of living is cheaper.

Any help and guidance on the above will be greatly appreciated.

Sarah

geordiebloke

Hi Sarah

I've just went through the last recruitment drive and hope to be over in Western Australia by the turn of the year.

I submitted my online application last summer and was invited to a testing/info day at Australia house at the beginning of November.
I was then informed that I had been successful at this stage in December and invited to an interview, back at Australia House at the beginning of February. I found out the results about 1 week later.
Now I'm not sure if the the current campaign will follow the same timeline, but it might give you some idea.

Once you are offered a place by WAPOL you are informed by them of the various medicals police checks etc that you
are required to complete.
You then have to complete the DIMA process, again with
WAPOL guidance. I'm not at this stage yet, so I'm not
100% sure of the potential pitfalls here
One thing I would say, is that the whole process can seem
complicated and a lot to take in, however the WAPOL recruiting staff have been excellent and have really helped explaining everything step by step.
You do not get any financial help re flights or accommodation, but there appears to be any amount advice on where to live costs etc. available.

All the best

Steve

denny1739

Hi Steve,

thanks for your advice. When I was reading the forum from Jan 2005 they had very unrealistic time lines, expecting people to up sticks within a month of finding out they had been successful, looks like they have now made changes that are more realistic.

Glad to hear the recruitment staff are helpful. I know its a bit forward plannin but do they give any indication on house prices in relation to wages or do most brits end up renting for awhile?

Thanks
Sarah

dave123

I am also applying, though have never been to Austrailia. Does anyone know whether this would count against you? Also in relation to the CV, does anyone know exactly what the corporate/ community achievement means? Without sounding too thick, I havent received any awards or significant community achievements as such? where im from the police aint that much appreciated...

denny1739

Hi Dave,

am in the same boat i have never been to oz but my understanding of the application is that this will not go against us. What force are u in?

Sarah

geordiebloke

Hi again,

Like over in the UK., it would appear that house prices are
steep, compared to what you are likely to be earning.
Having said that, I think what is considered to be the average house in Aus. is a lot better than your average UK
semi.
If you look on the Australia section of this forum you'll find
loads of threads on Perth house prices. It would appear, to
me at least, that the prices went silly for a couple of years,
but have now levelled off (I hope )
Our intention is to rent initially, then get an idea where we
would like to settle long term.
Have a look at www.realestate.com.au this will give you a
good idea of what is available and at what price.

Anything else I can help with, feel free to PM me.

Steve

geordiebloke

Dave,

Many of those selected have never been to AUS. myself
included. I think you do need to show them that you have
done your research and have taken onboard what a massive step this is for yourself and your family.
The information day you go to is excellent, giving you the
good as well as the difficult aspects of making the move.
As far as community achievements are concerned, I wouldn't worry to much about. Any commendations, or
official compliments are worth putting in, but at the end
of the day, I would think they are more interested in your
service records and that you are a good reliable cop

All the best

Steve

PC999999

Hi,
I am also in the process of applying to WAPOL. Does anyone know when the fitness tests are and if they are held in the Uk or in Oz? I have checked the web site which suggests nothing til Oz but that seems a bit late in the selection process? (I read Steve's post below but just wondering when exactly the fitness test was?)
Also has anyone who has previously been successful got advice as to whether their families went with them from the start or is it better to complete the initial training in Oz first before family join?
Thanks.

BigHairyBalls

Do people not actually wonder why police from other countries such as NZ, Aus and Canada come over here to steal officers from British forces.....Is it because nobody in those particular countries want to be police officers because the money is poor,respect for officers is non existant or is it that they realise British Officers are so disillusioned with the UK that they are easy targets? I don't know the answer but would be interested in other peoples opinion.

geordiebloke

PC,
Unless things have changed with this recruitment campaign, you do the fitness test off your own back.
You are given a DVD on the info/testing day which contains
all the information you've received that day along with a
couple of forms to download.
These forms are the eyesight test and fitness assessment.
It's just a case of completing the requirements of each form and sending them back to WAPOL.
The fitness test is straight forward, all you have to do is one situp with arms folded across your chest, keeping your
feet flat on the ground. it sounds easy, but without someone holding your feet down, it can be a bit of a struggle. I think this test is just about making sure you
have no problems with your lower back.
Then there is the bleep test, with the level requirement
dependant on your sex and age.
It's worth baring in mind here, that it's the 20 metre test
as opposed to the 15 metre test that we do over here. I
know a few people had problems finding a 20 metre tape/disc,but you can download it off the net.
Anyway both of these have to be witnessed by either a
supervisor, force PTI or a qualified fitness instructor, who
signs the forms.
Dead easy

As far as families are concerned, I think most people will
be going with their families from the outset.
The course isn't residential so you might as well all come
over together.

Steve

geordiebloke

I think most cops from the UK who look to go to the
countries you mention, do it more for lifestyle reasons,rather than a desire to be an officer somewhere else. It's just what we do, like nurses or teachers or anybody else for that matter.
Do I expect the job to be any better in Australia ? not really, but as long as its not much worse, then I'm not bothered.

Steve

PC999999

Hi Steve
Thanks very much re the info on the fitness tests & family move issues. It's early days yet & I still have to wait & see if I get through the initial paper sort, but it's good to know. Fingers crossed....
PC

geordiebloke

No bother mate,

let us know if I can be of any further help

Good luck

Steve

Baz

You hit the nail on the head mate, same sh!t, different bucket

dave123

Anyone out there who has gone across who can give any advice, both good or bad experiences?
If selected etc, would be hoping to keep house over here and buy over in OZ, how much mortgage can you get with one salary?
As mentioned above, I agree with Steve, a police mans job will be the same everywhere you go I reckon, always dealing with scumbags etc. Is the quality of life much better?
so many questions...