Police Recruitment

In reply to the Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (17 November 2016).

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety): I am advised:

Since R313 was announced, 97 new recruits have commenced at the Police Academy. Further courses consisting of 52 cadets per intake are planned from January 2017 through to June 2017 and a transition course of previous serving police officers is planned for February 2017. This will see the R313 target and additional targets relating to attrition being met.

A number of significant enhancements to the existing recruitment program have been implemented since the R313 announcement. These have included:

A doubling of staff in Recruiting Section;

The employment of additional staff in auxiliary areas such as medical and psychology areas;

An increase in availability for TAFE pre-entry examinations;

Streamlining of the recruit process, reducing the amount of time the process takes from the time an application is submitted to when a determination is made;

Application of the criteria of 'life experience' reconsidered to be commensurate with the applicant's age;

Increased marketing and specifically targeted campaigns relating to females and youth; and

Monthly information seminars in the metropolitan areas and key regional areas.