Police Officer

Certificate III in Justice Studies

2008 - Semester One,  2008 - Places Available

A police officer's key task is to protect people and property by upholding statute laws and regulations. Police officers assist people in emergency situations and coordinate emergency management procedures. They also assist in the prevention and control of crime and apprehend persons who disobey the law. They oversee traffic management and road safety procedures and issue traffic tickets and court summonses. In addition, they also play an important role in educating the community about crime prevention and creating safer communities.

Being able to listen to people from all walks of life is a policeman's strongest weapon. Policing is all about people, with every member of the community considered a valued customer. By forming partnerships with their local communities, police officers hope to find local solutions to local problems.

Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:

Helping and Community Services

Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker,  Aged or Disabilities Carer,  Child Care Worker,  Counsellor and Community Worker,  Interpreter,  Kitchen hand,  Occupational Health & Safety Professional,  Police Officer,  Tourist Information Officer,  VET in Schools Teachers,  Youth Worker and Disability Worker

Influencing and Personal Contact

Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker,  Actor,  Author/ Book Editor,  Bar Attendant,  Beauty Therapist,  Building Surveyor,  Butcher,  Child Care Worker,  Counsellor and Community Worker,  Fashion Designer,  Film,Stage, TV and Radio Director,  Florist,  Gaming Workers,  Hotel Motel Manager,  Human Resources Manager,  Marketing Specialists,  Musician,  Nursing (enrolled),  Occupational Health & Safety Professional,  Police Officer,  Project and Program Administrator,  Real Estate Agents & Property Managers,  Restaurant and Catering Manager,  Retail Buyer,  Retail Sales,  School Services Officer,  Security Officer,  Tourist Information Officer,  Travel and Tour Consultant,  VET in Schools Teachers,  Youth Worker and Disability Worker

Outdoor

Aircraft Pilot,  Animal Attendant,  Bricklayer,  Cartographer - Surveyor,  Child Care Worker,  Farmer and Farm Manager,  Forklift Operator (Driver),  Painters and Decorator,  Police Officer,  Security Officer,  Shearer,  Travel and Tour Consultant,  Viticulturist and Vineyard Hand

To become a police officer in South Australia, you must be accepted into and successfully complete a 28 week training program through the SA Police Academy. Applicants for the program must be at least 19 years old, an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have successfully completed Year 10 or equivalent. Sharpen up your keyboarding skills because you'll need to be able to type 30 words a minute with 90% accuracy.

It is also a requirement to have current Senior First Aid and a bronze medallion swimming certification. You'll need to meet strict requirements in terms of physical agility, fitness, strength and vision. Physical, psychological and medical testing is required. Be prepared to be subjected to intense scrutiny, including an investigation into your background. Upon graduation of the program, there is an 18 month probationary period. Satisfactory completion of probation promotes an officer to permanent status.

For further information about the training program, please check out the SA Police Recruitment website at http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/.

The Certificate III in Justice Studies offered by TAFE SA at Adelaide campus may assist you in getting into the police force.

Although it is a rigorous process to become a police officer, there are good employment opportunities, provided you meet the requirements and standards. The Police Service encourages anyone who is interested in this career, including people with culturally diverse backgrounds, to apply for entry into the SA Police Service. People with specialist skills, such as the ability to speak other languages, previous police or military experience and experience of other cultures are viewed favourably during the recruitment and selection process.

Once accepted into the SA Police Service, new recruits can expect to be rotated every four months through a variety of sections and stations to build up their skills and to gain experience. Upon Graduation as probationary constables they are posted to a division where after a minimum of 18 months consideration is given to permanent appointment to the rank of constable. Areas of work include communications, firearms, crime analysis, juvenile justice, crash investigations, traffic control, dog handling, crime prevention, water policing, homicide and computer crime.

Personal And Other Services

To be updated.

Police officers must also write reports and maintain information databases on a daily basis. They work in offices, but because of their interaction with the community, they may spend a large part of their workday outside of an office. They rely on a range of patrol vehicles to help get their work done efficiently. These include cars, four wheel drives, motorcycles, helicopters and boats, and they also conduct foot and mount (horseback) patrols.

The Police Service has a strong organisational structure with an emphasis on teamwork and working within established procedures. Aside from being physically fit, a police officer needs to have sound interpersonal skills. And above all, if you're thinking of becoming a police officer you'll need to be a good role model and that means being honest, reliable and responsible.

Police Officers are highly trained in many areas to enable them to cope with situations where they see and do things that the normal person would never become involved with. It requires a special kind of person who has excellent communication skills and sensitivity to exhibit understanding in situations of trauma and human loss, and assertiveness and confidence in times of conflict.

All newly appointed police officers are initially required to perform station and patrol duties anywhere in the State and can expect to work shifts of up to 12 hours at a time. This includes weekends and public holidays.

After gaining experience, police officers may seek entry to specialist areas such as criminal investigation, radio communications, prosecutions, juvenile aid, accident investigation, water police, dog handling, traffic control, the mounted unit, education and training, and human resource management.

For the six months they are at the Academy, recruits receive an annual salary of just over $28,000. A first year constable on shift work can expect to earn in excess of $40,000 a year. Senior commissioned officers earn in excess of $85,000.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au