powellfamily

Hi all,

I am wanting to make the move to Australia but seem to have hit a brick wall with getting there.

I am a Kent Police officer with 9 years service.

WAPOL are only recruiting officers with 3-7 years and SAPOL aren't recruiting. From what I have researched no other police force sponser applicants and I do not have any other way of obtaining a visa unless anyone knows of something I may have missed?

Any advice would be great appreciated

brisbec

Hi,
I noticed you posted on another thread that your missus has had maternity leave.
If you get her complete service and take away the time off that she had on maternity then this will be the time served that they look at.
If the end total is less than 7yrs then she can apply.
I have replied to your other thread as well.
I've gone through the whole process and am just awaiting my visa being issued

powellfamily

Hi thanks for replying after taking off maternity leave she is still 4 months over :-(

Pincher

Hi.
Might be as well to check with WAPol. The recognition of prior service form involves deducting all annual leave and sick periods in order to calculate what pay scale you go in on. That may bring your O/H under the limit.
I am with Kent too. Feel free to PM me with any queries.
All the best.

powellfamily

Does it really include annual leave and sick leave?

Pincher

Hi.
Surely it can't do any harm to try?
The form asks you to give your total service, then you deduct your A/L, sick leave, international deployments and any other periods of leave too.
The final figure is the 'total service claimed' which you could use to say is how much time your O/H really has spent in the job.

In a sense it works in WAPols favour as it means that by subtracting all the leave you may not get a higher pay scale, thereby saving them money (which is why there is a 7 year limit on new applicants).
I would suggest filling out the forms and see how it goes.

If that doesn't work, don't loose faith. There has been a state election in WA (9th March) Both main political parties have promised to increase police numbers by an additional 800 officers over the next 4 years. That may cause WAPol to relax the recruitment criteria.

P

powellfamily

Thanks will give it a go!

brisbec

No it doesn't include annual leave.
Only unpaid leave, maternity and career breaks can be taken off time served.

richie-318

powellfamily

Have you had any luck with WAPOL, I've got 11 years and really want to make the move. Years ago I knew a bloke with 20 something and he got into SAPOL.

Richie

Paul872

Powellfamily,

To be honest I don't think Wapol really care too much about the amount of prior service you have. They just put their requirements and move the goal post as they see fit. So I'd still enquire if I were you. I had over none years service when I applied and they were only looking for 3-5 years service at the time. I serviced a further five years service with Wapol, the majority of service was spent with one of their major crime forensic departments. So then after 14 years police service I pulled the pin and returned to the Uk.

My only advice is that the grass is not greener. If I went into the pro's and con's I'd probably just get slated for my honest point of view. However, we are all different and if it's right for you and your family, why not give it a go.

Regards

Paul872

Sorry... Spelling... Nine years service when I applied.

Paul872

Ah man, auto spelling, just read my post, 

Mmcole2011

Hi,

My husband is a serving officer with West Mids and has coming up to 10 years' service. Just wanted to ask.....has anybody or does anybody know of, a succesful applicant with over the 7 year barrier? He is only 32 and we would love to make the move!

MAVA

Hi all,

I'm currently a MET officer for nearly 6 years and I think after much consideration and deliberations I'm probably at that stage where I'm going to take the plunge and apply.

Would appreciate any input from you guys whether the risk is worth it and if anyone knows of people who have done it and now "living the dream". It is a big risk to leave what you know and go somewhere completely alien to you. My friend went to SA police without visiting the country etc and he absolutely loves it, I'm hoping it will be the same in WA?! I want a change and I want to enjoy working to live!

Mmcole2011

I know a few of my husbands friends from the force are over in Oz and two of them are based WA. In fact, he's been speaking with them this week about applications and I know they said its the best thing they've ever done and have no regrets. One of them has been out there about 4 years and still loves it. His words were do it, you'll never look back!