Tasmania Police

Applicants must address each of the Essential Selection Criteria (listed 1- 7 below) as part of the written application.

When addressing the selection criteria, points of consideration that may support the application include:

• Membership of community service clubs or performing community service
• Successful employment under similar conditions
• Life experiences that provide evidence of the applicant’s ability to cope with high levels of stress and pressure, which indicate maturity, tolerance and resilience
• Life experiences such as working or living with people from a variety of backgrounds
• Employment experience where the applicant has had to apply rules and procedures
• Recognition of work attitudes and skills through advancement at work
• Experience of combining work, study and other commitments
• Projects or activities initiated or undertaken by the applicant, at work or otherwise
• Committee membership of a club, organisation, or a student representative council
• Experience in leadership positions, for example at clubs, associations or sporting teams
• Supervisory or management experience in current or previous employment
• Any positions of responsibility the applicant has held
• Examples of problem solving situations which were resolved at work, at school or in general
• Successful completion of appropriate training courses.

Selection Criteria - Essential

1. Employ interpersonal skills in a variety of contexts to effectively communicate with, and relate to, people from varied backgrounds.

As part of their Code of Ethics, police officers are to make every effort to respect and uphold the rights of the community, regardless of race, social status or religion. Policing is a people-oriented career, in which applicants will be required to interact with members of the community from all walks of life. Police officers will have contact with both the young and old, the well educated and the illiterate, with those who are supportive of, and those who resent, a police presence. At times people may be afraid, traumatised, in pain or experiencing grief, friendly and helpful or aggressive.

2. Solve problems and make sound decisions which comply with policies, procedures, instructions and professional and ethical standards.

Police officers are required to take control of, and resolve, incidents which may involve people who are injured, traumatised, aggressive, and/or emotionally unstable. In those circumstances, police officers are often faced with problems where a decision is required that will best resolve the situation.

Police officers are expected to maintain high professional standards. They are expected to be polite, confident and assertive. Police officers must carry out their duties justly without fear, favour or affection, malice or ill-will, act honestly and with the utmost integrity.

Police officers are members of an organisation with a rank structure and a disciplinary code. Applicants will need to be able to abide by government and organisational policies, follow police procedures and apply appropriate legislation.

3. Routinely exercise self-discipline and conscientiousness and constructively analyse and modify own performance.

As a police officer, a high standard of self-discipline must be exercised at all times. Applicants will need to modify and analyse their own behaviour to easily adapt to the changing needs of the Tasmania Police Service.

4. Interpret and convey ideas and information clearly and accurately, both written and verbal.

Police officers are required to verbally communicate with others on a daily basis, including giving evidence in court. They are also required to prepare and write reports and other documents to a high standard.

5. Observe and accurately record details of events, people and objects.

Police officers must be able to accurately record details of events, people and objects. At times police officers are required in court to give evidence in relation to what they have seen or heard, and the action they have taken.

6. Demonstrate proficient physical performance and motor skills.

Police officers will, at times, be physically challenged by the demands of the job. Consequently, it is in an applicant’s best interests to achieve and maintain a high level of physical fitness.

7. Demonstrate a knowledge of, and a commitment to, policing in Tasmania.

Applicants will be required to research and demonstrate their knowledge of Tasmania Police, the Tasmanian community and the nature of policing within Tasmania.

Selection Criteria - Desirable

Higher School Certificate, Tasmanian Certificate of Education or tertiary qualifications

While there are no formal educational requirements, a Higher School Certificate, Tasmanian Certificate of Education or tertiary qualification is preferred. Work and life experiences are also important and considered during the selection process. Regardless of a qualification, the demands of the training course require applicants to demonstrate that as trainees, they have the capacity to work and study at a tertiary level.