Originally Posted by HugoB

Hi Carolyn,

We have decided on WA. We have friends in Perth which helps a lot. Also houses appear on average to be about Aus$50000 cheaper in WA. We liked the Northern areas of Perth especially.

However Brisbane also seemed nice. I preferred the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast, but I guess it depends what you want. I found the Gold Coast a bit too built up for my liking.

regards

Rory

Originally Posted by milly

Rory

I am also a met officer :scared: 12 years service looking to join wapol.
My husband has applied for a skilled visa and we are waiting for a medicals request.Just returned from oz and also decided WA ticked our boxes.
Great to hear your info - looks like i need to look into this bronze medallion thingy - have you yet?
Milly

Originally Posted by cotty

Hello

I'm new to this forum but have read many threads.

I'm a "probationer" Copper with 18 months experience (5 years Military Police before that) desperately wanting to work and live in Oz.

I know that a police "trade" scores NIL and I could not apply for the SA Police Recruitment Drive early last year due to not having 3 years Civvy Police experience. (Well done and congratulations to all that were successfull!!!)

I'm wondering if anyone knows any other Police Force in other states in Oz will be carrying out the same type of Police Recruitment drive as South Australia in the near future.

I do not have any other Trades or qualifications to get to Oz and would like to carry on the job I love in Oz.

Your comments would be appreciated, Thanks.

Originally Posted by HugoB

***UPDATE TIME***

Ok we just just back from 3 weeks in Brisbane and Perth.

Firstly we went to Brisbane.

Initially I visited the Police Headquarters in the city. They are pretty particular about how you dress when you visit, so dont wear flipflops, I'd suggest a decent shirt, trousers and shoes. The chap I spoke to made a point of saying how much it pissed him off to be speaking to British coppers in flipflops! (I did not make that mistake thank God) They also made it very clear that you are going over there to become an Aussie Copper and you need to have made your mind up about wanting to be an Australian, as they dont want any problems with homesickness, especially if you arent very committed.

I was also fortunate enough to be put in contact with an instructor Sergeant currently instructing on the PACE program. He was superb, a really decent down to earth gentleman who invited up up the Academy in Oxley. He spared a couple hours of his time to really chat with both of us. He then inroduced us to his current PACE class, which consisted of 13 recruits, 3 of whom were ex Met officers. He then left us alone with them to allow us to speak without any reasons for them to mince their words. They were all very optimistic and supportive. They had all decided on Queensland and were fitting in well with the lifestyle. I also spoke to a few recruits who were ex NSW coppers who were also really nice and helpful. They all stated they found the style of policing slightly different but the academic work was not very hard and they were all coping rather well. They stressed that you should get fit and pass all tests as if you fail you have to do remedial PT and or swimming at all funny early hours of the morning to catch up!!

Queensland have NO numbers problems at present. They have no plans to start any type of visa sponsorship at present, but also intend to keep the program running indefinately, as it is a good source of "tried and tested" coppers.


Next we visited WA Police. I had already arranged an appointment at Joondalup Academy. Here I recieved a very warm welcome from a Sergeant who is directly responsible for the "Recognition of prior learning and Policing Programs" He explained that although this is still in its infancy he is currently draughting together a proposal to actively recruit from sources of experience police, such as UK, Canada and Hong Kong. This is still in its draught phase, and nothing has been agreed or is in writing yet! Nonetheless his advice was for anyone hoping to join WA Police was to get their application ready and wait for the announcement to be made on the website.

He hopes to impliment a structured abridged course at the academy consisting of a 14 week initial training period. Then the officers progression will follow the advancement already outlined in the website regarding "Recognition of Prior Policing Experience". The pay scales published on the webiste are current.

Most imporatantly of all, however, was the fact that he stated he would be asking local government ministers to allow officers to be given permanent residence visas in exchange for sigining a 2 year contract with WA Police.

I must stress NOTHING had been agreed when I visited, but he seemed pretty confident that he would get the PR visas, as WA police does have some recruiting shortfalls.

Be advised though, you WILL be expected to some sort of country placement, ranging between 1-3 years, depending on how remote an area you work.

Good luck to you all!

Feel free to ask any further questions, I'll do my best to help.

Mr HugoB (Rory)

Originally Posted by texrex

Hi James,

I actually contacted WAPOL myself back in April and got the same response that HogoB has explained. The guy I emailed though at WAPOL did state to keep an eye on the website but said he would also email me direct. Like yourself do like the sound of a country posting to much, and have never even been to Oz yet, shall await the application and if that is successful then have to take a trip out there.

Good luck with your application

Tony.

Originally Posted by Kingy

Hi Rory,

I have just read the thread regarding WA and found your experience really interesting. I lived in OZ for a year after uni and vowed to go back there permanently one day. I have just completed my first three years in GMP and am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to apply to WA as it was definately the best state I visited. The thought of a country posting is quite daunting having seen what country actually means over there! But would love to do it.

I would just like to ask your advice regarding what to do next? Should I contact WAPOL and leave details or just wait for news to be posted?

Any help would be appreciated,

regards

James

Originally Posted by HugoB

Hello mate,

The guy I met with at the academy said he was having a bit of trouble keeping up with individual emails, due to the huge interest he had been getting. (at least 300 per month)

My advice is to get your application form filled in and ready to submit, get your fitness up to scratch and practice the questions on the website. Then wait for the recruitment drive to happen and be ready for interviews/fitness tests etc.

Thats the advice he gave me anyway.

Best of luck

Mr HugoB (Rory)

Originally Posted by HugoB

Hi Cotty,

WA require 3 years, and so do Queensland.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news

Mr HugoB

Originally Posted by HugoB

***UPDATE TIME***

Ok we just just back from 3 weeks in Brisbane and Perth.

Firstly we went to Brisbane.

Initially I visited the Police Headquarters in the city. They are pretty particular about how you dress when you visit, so dont wear flipflops, I'd suggest a decent shirt, trousers and shoes. The chap I spoke to made a point of saying how much it pissed him off to be speaking to British coppers in flipflops! (I did not make that mistake thank God) They also made it very clear that you are going over there to become an Aussie Copper and you need to have made your mind up about wanting to be an Australian, as they dont want any problems with homesickness, especially if you arent very committed.

I was also fortunate enough to be put in contact with an instructor Sergeant currently instructing on the PACE program. He was superb, a really decent down to earth gentleman who invited up up the Academy in Oxley. He spared a couple hours of his time to really chat with both of us. He then inroduced us to his current PACE class, which consisted of 13 recruits, 3 of whom were ex Met officers. He then left us alone with them to allow us to speak without any reasons for them to mince their words. They were all very optimistic and supportive. They had all decided on Queensland and were fitting in well with the lifestyle. I also spoke to a few recruits who were ex NSW coppers who were also really nice and helpful. They all stated they found the style of policing slightly different but the academic work was not very hard and they were all coping rather well. They stressed that you should get fit and pass all tests as if you fail you have to do remedial PT and or swimming at all funny early hours of the morning to catch up!!

Queensland have NO numbers problems at present. They have no plans to start any type of visa sponsorship at present, but also intend to keep the program running indefinately, as it is a good source of "tried and tested" coppers.


Next we visited WA Police. I had already arranged an appointment at Joondalup Academy. Here I recieved a very warm welcome from a Sergeant who is directly responsible for the "Recognition of prior learning and Policing Programs" He explained that although this is still in its infancy he is currently draughting together a proposal to actively recruit from sources of experience police, such as UK, Canada and Hong Kong. This is still in its draught phase, and nothing has been agreed or is in writing yet! Nonetheless his advice was for anyone hoping to join WA Police was to get their application ready and wait for the announcement to be made on the website.

He hopes to impliment a structured abridged course at the academy consisting of a 14 week initial training period. Then the officers progression will follow the advancement already outlined in the website regarding "Recognition of Prior Policing Experience". The pay scales published on the webiste are current.

Most imporatantly of all, however, was the fact that he stated he would be asking local government ministers to allow officers to be given permanent residence visas in exchange for sigining a 2 year contract with WA Police.

I must stress NOTHING had been agreed when I visited, but he seemed pretty confident that he would get the PR visas, as WA police does have some recruiting shortfalls.

Be advised though, you WILL be expected to some sort of country placement, ranging between 1-3 years, depending on how remote an area you work.

Good luck to you all!

Feel free to ask any further questions, I'll do my best to help.

Mr HugoB (Rory)

Originally Posted by deuchers

Hiya Mr HugoB

I'm new to the thread and have seen your information re WAPOL. What's the latest news how are you getting on. I've downloaded the papers and have already filled them in for the recruitment drive for UK police officers. But obviously a bit concerned about being the other side of the world and not being able to speak to any one face to face about the job over there, and all the other admin stuff (house, cars, education etc). I've got 13 years in, started out in Central Scotland police, Kent for 3 years, back to Central Scotland police, and I'm now with the SDEA, (NCS).
Hope to hear from you soon

deuchers

Originally Posted by HugoB

Hi deuchers, well my wife and I are expecting a baby imminently ( 8 days overdue as of today!!!) so I havent done very much myself as yet.

Lifestyle wise I'd certainly suggest scanning through these forums, there is a wealth of info available. There will also be lifestyle presentations made over here (probably London) during the recruitment phase in October, if you are sucessful through the initial paper sift. However there can be no substitute for getting yourself over there for a scouting holiday. We;'ve been over to WA twice in 3 years, and even if this recruitment drive wasnt going on I would have still gone over to live on a Skilled Independant visa. (Mrs HugoB is a nurse)

The target group is 3-5 years service, (bugger as I will have 7 years at the time of recruiting!) But thats not to say that anyone with experience outside the target group wont get in. Additionally there will also be some recruitment of specialists.(a bit vague here as it doesnt say anywhere what sort of specialists they want)

Also note that the original form which went onto the website on the 9th is wrong. See email from WA Police below.....

To all concerned parties

I have received many emails in relation to the application form on the website and I wish to apologise. The incorrect form was uploaded on Friday 9.7.05 and this was corrected on Tuesday 12.7.05.

The incorrect form asked for parts to be handwritten and also asked for supplementary information to be provided (i.e. photos, certificates, references etc) This supplementary information is NOT required at the first stage.Only the CV and completed application form are needed and are to be emailed before the 4th of September 2005. The form itself was also hard to complete in several areas. When it comes to the education levels please put in the highest level you have received in your country.

The CV is only to cover your police experience and prior career information is not required.

You may relog onto the website and download the new application form which will make it a bit easier for you to complete. If you have previously been onto the "International Applicants" part of the website - when you come to the fill in a form please do not put in your personal details again as these have already been recorded. Put your Surname and other details in as "aaa" and email address as [email protected]

Several questions have been asked in relation to the 3-5 year target group we are looking at. If you are outside this target group it does not exclude you from applying but may affect your competitiveness. We cannot categorically state for or against your application at this stage until after the closing date and we get to review those who has applied and how many applications are received, it is a personal decision you would need to make if you still want to apply.

Once again I apologise for any inconvenience you may have encountered


Thank you



A/ Inspector
Police Recruiting Branch
WA Police Academy



Keep posting your questions and I will help with whatever I can.

Best regards


Rory (Mr HugoB)

Originally Posted by HugoB

Hello all, Mr HugoB here,

the First thread seems to have grown pretty huge mainly on the SA Police drive at the moment, and best of luck to them all!

I have started this new thread to focus on WA and Queensland and specifically their ability to recognise prior service.

I am a Met officer, and I will have 7 years service by the time we immigrate to Australia. Mrs HugoB is a haematology nurse we have an 21 month toddler and another due in July.

We intend applying for a skilled independant visa in or shortly after May 2005 and hope to be on Australian soil by Christmas 2005.

We have not made our minds up as yet between WA and Queensland and we will give more consideration to which force puts me further back up the ladder. (ie more money quicker!!!)

We have a 3 week scouting trip booked in April and hopefully after that we will be able to make a decision about where to settle.

After much research this is what I (hope I) understand about the two policies. Please post and correct me where I am wrong!

The Queensland Police Force operates what it calls the PACE program. This seems to be the better defined program of the two, with specific mention of a shorter time at the academy (16 weeks as opposed to 26 weeks) and recognition of previous overseas police service which effectively means you would leave the academy on (or up to) a 5 year PC's salary.

The WA Police force operates what it calls the "Recognition of Prior Policing Service and Learning". This is far less defined and basically mentions that officers might get a shortened period of initial training at the academy. (No mention of how this is assessed or how muuch shorter it will be) There is mention of acceleration up to the level of Senior constable with up to 7 years, provided you pass the necessary courses, and these courses are not guaranteed to come your way over any spesific time period. So you could still be languishing for quite some time as a probationary constable on the basic starting salary.

I have emailed both WA and Queensland Police and if/when I get more answers I will post them here.

It would be great to hear from anyone else in the same boat, and If anyone has any questions I can help with please ask, and similarly if anyone can answer any of my questions please post away!

Here is a link to the WA "Recognition of Prior Service and Learning" Policy NB its a .pdf document which means you will need adobe acrobat document reader to open it.

http://www.stepforward.wa.gov.au/images/RPLProcess.pdf

Here is a link to the Queesnland PACE Program http://www.police.qld.gov.au/pr/join...ployment.shtml

the site is down at the moment, if the link is wrong I will chage it.

Originally Posted by suebrennan

Hugo

What happened next? I am normally on the Oz forum and was browsing and found this one. Would be interested (a) to hear where you guys are at and (b) how has your Met experience been viewed?????