Few careers give you the chance to build life-saving skills and real confidence from day one. At the WA Police Academy, the Operational Safety and Tactics Training Unit (OSTTU) stands out for its intensity and variety. It’s also where recruits discover just how prepared and capable they must become.
If you’ve ever wondered how officers learn to stay calm and capable in the face of the unexpected, this is where it happens. OSTTU is a mix of high-energy sessions and careful designed simulations that build confidence and sharpen judgement.
The OSTTU training program covers a wide range of disciplines, each designed to build capability and judgement:
- Communication and de-escalation – techniques for calming tense situations and resolving conflict without force
- Operational safety drills – movement, positioning and situational awareness to protect both the public and fellow officers.
- Firearms training – safe handling and responsible use of standard-issue police firearms with a strong focus on legal obligations and sound decision making
- Defensive tactics – skills for protecting oneself and others, including appropriate use of tools such as batons and pepper spray.
- Arrest and restraint procedures – how to take a person into custody safely while minimising risk to everyone involved.
- Scenario-based simulations – realistic, high-pressure situations drawn from everyday policing.
Recruits never quite know what challenge is coming next, and that’s exactly the point.
“Every session tests your judgement as much as your technique,” says one instructor. “It’s about making the right call when it matters the most.”
By the end of the program, recruits have more than just technical ability. They leave with confidence, resilience and the mindset needed to protect and serve Western Australia.
Think you can meet the standard? This is the proving ground where recruits are pushed, skills are sharpened and the mindset of a WA Police officer is forged. If you’re ready to take on the challenge and make a real impact.
Start your journey here.