We understand you’ve already completed the rigorous application process to become a Police Officer. As you consider returning to the Force, we need to carry out a few checks to ensure you’re ready to step back in.
I am currently a Police Officer or have previous policing service (as a Police Officer) within the last 18-months, have completed probation and a minimum of two years and eight months service.
I am from a compatible policing jurisdiction in interstate Australia or New Zealand.
I hold a current valid full Driver's Licence.
Great News!
You appear to meet the basic mandatory requirements for making the move to the WA Police Force. Please note that any body art, such as tattoos, or body modifications will need to be assessed upon applying. You will also need to complete an Integrity Declaration to ensure you meet the standards of the WA Police Force.
Once you've checked the eligibility requirements, you can begin your application. While going through the application, you will be asked to provide the following information where relevant:
Personal Details
Education and Qualifications
Employment History
Police service or military history
Providing Documents
You will need to upload the following supporting documents:
Photo ID
Traffic, driving and licence history if you have held a licence in Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, South Australia or Victoria.
Photos of visible tattoos and piercings.
Certifying Documents
All the documents you submit will need to be certified copies. A certified copy is a photocopied version of your original document that has been stamped, dated, and signed as a ‘true copy’ by an authorised person (e.g. Justice of the Peace, Public Servant, Pharmacist, Nurse, etc.).
Once you begin your application, we'll guide you through the process step-by-step. Our friendly Recruiting team are on hand to answer your questions or have a confidential chat.
For applicants who reach the final assessment stages of the recruitment process, the following costs will be reimbursed by the WA Police Force:
First Aid Certificate
Medical (standard P58)
Visual Acuity Assessment
Bankruptcy Check
Fingerprints and DNA
Police Recruiting will provide more information to applicants who progress to the final stage.
The Selection Process
There are a few steps to get through to join the WA Police Force. We will consider your prior service and ranks but still have some mandatory checks and assessments.
Integrity check
When we receive your application form, we will undertake an Integrity Check to identify any criminal offences and/or traffic infringements that you have previously incurred.
The assessment will take into consideration the nature of the offence, the frequency and recency of the occurrence and your age at the time of the offence.
Internal clearances and references from various business units including health and safety, personnel services and professional standards will also be requested for officers seeking to return to the WA Police Force.
Whilst some applicants will not necessarily be excluded from proceeding to the next recruitment assessment, the WA Police Force need to ensure that people of the highest integrity are employed. For this reason, some convictions may result in an applicant being deemed unsuitable for progression.
Tattoo review
If you progress from the initial Integrity Checks, a review of any tattoos that may be visible when wearing a short sleeve shirt including those located on the neck, face or hands will be undertaken.
Applicants are required to provide colour photographs of their tattoos whilst wearing a collared short sleeve shirt when submitting their application.
Tattoo standards are contained within the WA Police Force Commissioner’s Uniform and Appearance Manual and consideration of tattoos is given in regard to whether they are:
in a prohibited location
prohibited form
detract from a professional appearance.
If your tattoos do not meet the required standard, Police Recruiting are unable to provide any advice in relation to proposed modification or removal and how this may impact future selection. For further information on tattoo standards, please visit our FAQs or contact us.
Psychological evaluation
The psychological tests are assessments and evaluations of you - everything from your personality, psychological state and background risks. It is very important that you respond to the psychological tests honestly. The tests are designed to identify applicants who impression manage and this will result in an invalid assessment result.
Physical performance evaluation (PPE)
To join the WA Police Force, you are required to have a reasonable level of fitness. During this evaluation, you will be required to perform the following:
If you are successful in Stage 1 you will be invited for a panel interview which will assess your suitability for the role of a Police Officer. Whilst you will not be able to study anything specific for your interview, you can take some positive steps to help you perform your best on the day:
Ensure that you have prepared yourself by researching the requirements and responsibilities of a Police Officer. You may also wish to take the opportunity to speak to Police Officers about their role.
Consider and identify specific examples from your own life and work experiences that might best demonstrate your suitability in meeting the requirements and responsibilities of frontline policing.
Read and consider all available information on the Let's Join Forces website, including the essential criteria you will be assessed against throughout the recruitment and selection process, together with an understanding of the four core values of the WA Police Force:
Selection Criteria
Personal Drive and Integrity
Supports Strategic Direction
Achieves Results
Builds Productive Working Relationships
Communicates with Influence
Core Values
Duty
Teamwork
Integrity
Care
On the day of your interview:
Be punctual and ensure you attend at the correct location.
Dress appropriately in smart business attire, and consider your grooming.
Whilst interviews can be daunting you should try your best to be confident, composed and professional. Throughout the interview be aware of your communication, eye contact and body language.
Listen to the questions carefully and give thoughtful answers. Every response you give is a chance to demonstrate your suitability to the panel. If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification.
Be clear and concise in your communication. Answer questions fully but don't elaborate unnecessarily. Try to be concise.
Be open and honest in your answers. Be yourself. The panel is not expecting perfection.
For advice on how to prepare for your interview, read the factsheet.
Review Panel
All applicants applying for a Police Officer position are required to meet the assessment criteria for the role. Recruitment assessments are comprehensive and take into consideration prior work performance, integrity factors including traffic and criminal history, psychological suitability, physical ability and assessment against essential criteria relevant to the job role.
Applicants that proceed through the selection process to the review panel are assessed holistically using all information collected during the recruitment process. This enables the review panel to determine progression to Stage 3.
Applicants that are not progressed to Stage 3 assessments will be given an individual reapplication date (if applicable). If you are given a reapplication date, we encourage you to reapply.
Final Health & Medical Assessment
Following the completion of Stage 1 and Stage 2 assessments, you will be required to undertake a final health and medical assessment. This examination is designed to ensure your fitness and health are of a high standard and that there is no reason why you would be unable to carry out all the duties required as a police officer.
Applicants with prior medical history may be required to provide additional contemporary information to support their final health and medical assessment.
Vision Requirements
You are required to have a minimum unaided vision of at least 6/9 in your better eye and 6/18 in your other eye. If your vision is below this standard, you must be able to wear soft contact lenses and achieve corrected vision of at least 6/6 binocularly, or 6/9 in each eye separately. You must also have a minimum horizontal peripheral vision of 70 degrees on each side.
A report from a qualified person will be required detailing your vision history, current treatment and future prognosis. This must include your history of duration of wear and tolerance of soft contact lenses over a 10 hour period and expected future tolerance to wearing soft contact lenses on an ongoing basis. The WA Police Force will send you a form that you need for this report.
Other Checks
A number of other checks will be conducted during Stage 3 including:
full Background and Integrity Check
identifying particulars - fingerprints and DNA
bankruptcy check.
Once applicants have completed these requirements consideration is given to place in the selection pool. Placement in the selection pool does not guarantee an offer of employment. Those placed in the selection pool will be required to meet certain pre-qualification requirements (e.g. confirmation of physical ability) prior to selection to a recruit school. Please note that applicants from the selection pool are not placed in a recruit school on a first in first out basis. Police recruiting ensures that schools have a mix of recruits across gender, age and background.
Applicants who are not progressed will be given an individual reapplication date (if applicable).
Application Cost Reimbursement
For applicants who reach the final assessment stages of the recruitment process, the following costs will be reimbursed by the WA Police Force:
First Aid Certificate
Medical (standard P58)
Visual Acuity Assessment
Bankruptcy Check
Fingerprints and DNA
Applicants must provide proof of payment and complete a claim form. Police Recruiting will provide more information to applicants who progress to the final stage.
Discover What WA Has to Offer
Western Australia is the largest police jurisdiction in the world - and the most isolated city in the world!
Explore unique parts of our great state while getting paid. Every day is an adventure when you work with the WA Police Force.
If you are a current Police Officer from the following areas we will be able to recognise your years of service: Australia, New Zealand, Australian Federal Police (excluding Protective Services)
Can I apply if I am a Police Officer overseas?
Yes. If you are from Policing jurisdictions of the United Kingdom (excluding British Transport Police and Military/Defence Force Police) and the Republic of Ireland. Learn more.
How will my rank and salary be determined?
The rank and level of salary for transitional officers is determined with reference to the table below. Recognition of prior service is based on completed years, excluding months of an incomplete year of service.
Complete Years’ Service with Compatible Policing Jurisdiction
Recognised Service on Completion of Training at the WA Police Academy
Salary on Completion of Training at the WA Police Academy
Less than one year of service
Nil
N/A
One year but less than two years’ of service
If probation not completed, no recognition of prior service. Applicant to be assessed as a normal recruit applicant and undertake full academy Police Officer (Entry-Level) course.
N/A
If probationary requirements completed, one year recognised service
Constable second year of service
Two years’ but less than three years’ of service
Two years’ recognised service
Constable third year of service
Three years’ but less than four years’ of service
Three years’ recognised service
Constable fourth year of service
Four years’ but less than five years’ of service
Four years’ recognised service
Constable fifth year of service
Five years’ service
Five years’ recognised service
Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable base rate salary then applies
Six years’ service
Six years’ recognised service
Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable base rate salary then applies
Seven years’ service
Seven years’ recognised service
Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable increment salary then applies
Eight years’ service
Eight years’ recognised service
Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable increment salary then applies
Nine years’ service, or more
Nine years’ recognised service
Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable increment salary then applies until requirements to attain the rank of Senior Constable are successfully completed
