Pincher

Dear all.

Finally after months of speculation, WA Police have started up international recruitment.

https://letsjoinforces.wa.gov.au/join-the-team/police-officer/international-transition

UK Coppers - Visa sponsored transitional applications back on. First time in 8 years.

Please don't crush each other in the rush.
Good luck!

Jamesy5008

I'm in the middle of a move to Guernsey Police from the Cayman Islands police service but I foresee a genuine mountain of applications from UK cops everywhere. It's definitely not easy making the huge move to a force so far from home but I found it was worth it. Do it lads and lassies. You're a long time deid!

jim2001

How was the Caymans?

Jamesy5008

Brilliant! Loved every minute but circumstances have changed and it's time for another adventure.

notbrazil

Seriously considering throwing my hat in for this, I applied in 2013 but was not eligible, it seems they have really relaxed the criteria which may suggest some desperation. I saw a few recent news articles where the WA Police Union said there are issues with retention, more officers leaving than joining due to low morale etc.

Things are dreadful here too though so I've not doubt there will be many applicants.

I'm a Sergeant with 12 or so years in. The thought of losing my rank doesn't bother me (please, take it!)

Are there any board members who have made the move that can offer some advice?

Pincher

OK, so I am sure that there are a few people wondering why they should relocate if WA Pol is having similar issues as their existing force.
Yes, retention is an issue. There's a variety of factors at play here; officers bent over backwards to carry on working during COVID to cover sick colleagues and those that had been seconded to the various task forces. There's an overwhelming feeling of being underappreciated, even more so now the government is quibbling over our latest industrial agreement for pay and conditions. Commissioner Dawson also really stuck the boot in too with his e-mail about enforcing Regional postings, moral really dropped after that. Then the cherry on the cake was weeks later he resigned and got the plum job of State Governor which left a bad taste in a lot of mouths. Also there are greater employment opportunities post COVID, so those feeling unhappy have just not put up with it and have moved on. The new Commissioner, Col Blanch has visited a lot of stations and the feeling with him is very positive. He has admitted that WA Pol has made mistakes and is reviewing a lot of things that have been taken issue with. Most people believe he is being sincere and truly wants to fix things.

Like the UK, The Job here is tough at times, but it will never be as tough as it was in the UK. When my Aussies colleagues bump their gums, I just tell them some of the awful things UK cops have to endure and they keep quiet. The State government, public and press are generally very supportive of the police here. WA Pol have a very good social media presence and are always lauding the good work we do here. Then it's just the little things, like the public actually talking to you while you queue in the cafe for coffee and thanking you for your service (which never happened to me in the UK).

The pay and conditions are better. You will always be double crewed. The kit's good and there heavily investing in mobile policing technology to help you out in the field. There's plenty of opportunities to specialise and if you have had enough of the big city, you can always go Regional (plenty of people do and never come back to Perth). There's no being made to stay on. Obviously you finish what you're doing, but if at the end of the shift and you're a clear unit, you go home. The district could be on fire, but I have never heard of anyone being forced to stay on duty.

I just do my job to the best of my ability and then I go home forget about it and enjoy my time off. I do way more off duty here than I ever did in the UK, always out and about in the CBD or doing sports or activities. Yes I miss family and friends but it's a small price to pay for the better quality of life moving here has provided.

Hope this helps some of you with your decision.

notbrazil

Thanks Pincher, that's really good info. With regards to regional postings, how are these done? I understand you have to agree to serve anywhere in the state, but do people actually get plucked out and sent out to the bush or is it mainly voluntary? It does seem a bit of a risk given that things like schools and employment opportunities for spouses would be more limited out in the sticks.

Pincher

Regional vacancies are advertised every week like those for all others.
You apply for them like you would for any other post. Most Regional postings come with varying degrees of benefits and renumeration; the more distant and isolated, the greater the incentives on offer.
After Commissioner Dawson sent out his e-mail stating his intention to force those who had not yet done Regional to do so, I believe about 40 officers were forcibly redeployed. This had never happened before. The new Commissioner has acknowledged that this was a mistake and that such a policy will not happen again.
A lot who do Regional have loved their exerpiences and it has helped their career development.
I haven't done it as it doesn't suit my personal circumstances.

Moocher90

I was wondering if you could tell me what pay grade UK cops go in at? I've got nearly 11 years policing experience. From what I gather I go in as a 5th year of service cop and would have to attain first class cop and senior cop. What do you have to do to attain these and how quickly can these be attained?
I also am a detective but cant see anywhere that they are specifically looking for detectives. I have my sergeants exam under my belt too.

Pincher

With WAPol after 5 years service you get promoted to 1st Connie and after 10 years up to Senior Connie. To gain promotion you have to do a series of on line exams which test your knowledge of law.
If it hasn't changed since I was there and my memory serves me right. At the Academy you're paid the same as a non-recruit Connie, about $77k.(my wife and I lived very comfortably on this for 6 months while she was job hunting) .During the last weeks of the academy, those that have 5 years or more then sit the 1st Class Connie exam which will get you about $85k.
When you get to District, if you have 10+ years you can do Senior Connie straight away, about 95k.
And don't forget shift allowance will add $250 to $300 to your (fortnightly) pay packet.
I was eligible for Senior straight out of the academy, but waited a year before doing Senior. This is because as a Senior there is an expectation you will do acting Sgt. I wanted to get my head around all the systems WAPol use first before stepping up.
As a Senior you then get an automaric pay rise every 2 years for the first 10 years too.
By Australian standards it's excellent pay. Try not to think of it in terms of converting from $ to £ as cost of living is on the whole cheaper here, although not as cheap as it was.
They're not looking for detectives and previous experience won't get you fast tracked. You will have to apply do the detectives training with everyone else.
They only care about General Duties experience, so emphasise this in your application no matter how long ago it was; patrolling, public engagement, statements, crime reports, arrests, suspect interviews, giving evidence at court and such like. Don't go on about detective or specialist roles you've done, they're not interested and it may cause your application to be rejected.

Moocher90

Thanks for the quick reply Pincher.
I'm happy to do ront line policing again if I have to. I would want to go back to being a DC though as I really enjoy investigations.

Nicky_nu

Hi, do you know if those from the UK are able to bring spouses and children and would we get any assistance with moving (including support when we get there with finding housing)?

Pollyana

Yes to the partners and children, whichever visa they are offering Australia allows dependents to be included.
No idea on the moving costs though, sorry.

Pincher

You won't get any financial assistance for the move, it's all at your own expense.
Not sure if it still applies, but we were able to claim all our moving costs back through tax, either as a lump sum or spread out over 12 months which was a helpful boost when getting settled.

Nicky_nu

Thanks so much for your reponses. What did you do for housing when you first arrived? Also is the police training residential? I am really interested but concerned that my children wouldn’t be able to settle properly school wise until after my training if I didn’t know where my final posting would be.