UK police officer moving to NSW Australia

[JoeMcC]

I’ve been a UK police officer for 16 years. I’m now a Detective Sergeant and run my own unit on specialist crime in the Met police. 10 years ago I married an Aussie and she now wants to go home. She’s from Sydney, NSW, the only state that doesn’t recognise UK police experience. Joining NSW will mean starting as a new recruit. I can stomach going back into uniform and taking a demotion but I’m not sure I can start at the very bottom again. Has anyone out there done this??

[CivCdn]

Do you need to go to NSW?

 

if it will be such a big hit financially, why not another state?

[Marisawright]

She’s asking you to move countries so you’re already making a big concession. Why should you give up your career as well?  Is she making an equivalent sacrifice in some way?

Depending where in NSW her family lives, you could live in Queensland or Canberra or Victoria and be in reasonable driving distance for regular visits. Or pick a large city with good flight connt

[Quoll]

You're probably going to struggle to be a police officer wherever you go TBH. You could try the AFP which is Canberra's local police force but it's also the national police force and does things which go over state lines and had quite a large presence in Sydney. However you're probably better thinking about what new career pathways to take.

[Nemesis]

47 minutes ago, Quoll said:

You're probably going to struggle to be a police officer wherever you go TBH. You could try the AFP which is Canberra's local police force but it's also the national police force and does things which go over state lines and had quite a large presence in Sydney. However you're probably better thinking about what new career pathways to take.

Wouldn't he need to be a citizen for the AFP?

[JoeMcC]

My wife’s from Sydney and the purpose of our move is to be near her family as she did move to the UK 12 years ago to be near mine. However, she’s up for living in Melbourne as there are some really good career choices for her there and I can get some recognition of my UK police service with Victoria police. I was just wandering if anyone who was a UK police officer has now joined NSW police and how they found that experience?

All state police forces only require PR but the AFP you have to be a citizen.

[VERYSTORMY]

After many years on the forum. The advice I would give is do not assume you will get a police role at all. Generally, they are over subscribed and your experience is likely to count for not a lot. You should be planning for roles in other occupations as well as he police. 

[Ken]

9 minutes ago, VERYSTORMY said:

After many years on the forum. The advice I would give is do not assume you will get a police role at all. Generally, they are over subscribed and your experience is likely to count for not a lot. You should be planning for roles in other occupations as well as he police. 

You also should take into account that if Vic Police do have a role that needs experience that they'd be willing to recruit you for it's because they can't find someone already on the force to take it. That doesn't happen with roles in Melbourne but only with those in remote areas.

[Quoll]

5 hours ago, Nemesis said:

Wouldn't he need to be a citizen for the AFP?

Good point, I'd forgotten about that. Ive been away too long!

Edited September 15, 2019 by Quoll

[JoeMcC]

Thanks all for the advice it’s much appreciated. My plan A is to start a new career and plan B was to join the police. I was under the impression from recent advertising campaigns that both NSW and Victoria police were looking to significantly increase their numbers but if not I will explore alternatives.

[Marisawright]

4 hours ago, JoeMcC said:

Thanks all for the advice it’s much appreciated. My plan A is to start a new career and plan B was to join the police. I was under the impression from recent advertising campaigns that both NSW and Victoria police were looking to significantly increase their numbers but if not I will explore alternatives.

I suggest ringing them to ask. Both states struggle to recruit people to work in remote areas but city postings are plum jobs

[bluebird]

On 16/09/2019 at 00:33, JoeMcC said:

Thanks all for the advice it’s much appreciated. My plan A is to start a new career and plan B was to join the police. I was under the impression from recent advertising campaigns that both NSW and Victoria police were looking to significantly increase their numbers but if not I will explore alternatives.

Hi JoeMcC,

Don't listen to the above comments from the same old people who keep saying accross this forumn that there aren't opportunities to do XYZ. 

Victoria Police are in the middle of 3000 officer recruitment drive and yes, they offer a prior policing experience seperate recruitment as long as you have PR. 

I'm in the middle of the process at the moment and have the final interviews next week. 

You are allowed to nominate posting locations and you will likely get a metro posting as this is where they are increasing the numbers. Alot of country locations are actually oversubscribed and have long waiting lists. There are some very rural locations that need filling but that is done by a ballott and prior experience officers are exempt from this ballot process.

 

They honour your service and rank so will enter at the equivalent pay point. If you email the alternative employment unit they will send you a information booklet.

I am a DC from Bristol with 10 years service and recently moved to Melbourne on the back of my wifes visa, who is a teacher ( which according to the same lot above, is also impossible to achieve).

pm me on here if you need any other info. 

Cheers

[DukeNinja]

10 minutes ago, bluebird said:

Hi JoeMcC,

Don't listen to the above comments from the same old people who keep saying accross this forumn that there aren't opportunities to do XYZ. 

Victoria Police are in the middle of 3000 officer recruitment drive and yes, they offer a prior policing experience seperate recruitment as long as you have PR. 

I'm in the middle of the process at the moment and have the final interviews next week. 

You are allowed to nominate posting locations and you will likely get a metro posting as this is where they are increasing the numbers. Alot of country locations are actually oversubscribed and have long waiting lists. There are some very rural locations that need filling but that is done by a ballott and prior experience officers are exempt from this ballot process.

 

They honour your service and rank so will enter at the equivalent pay point. If you email the alternative employment unit they will send you a information booklet.

I am a DC from Bristol with 10 years service and recently moved to Melbourne on the back of my wifes visa, who is a teacher ( which according to the same lot above, is also impossible to achieve).

pm me on here if you need any other info. 

Cheers

Well that answers the Citizenship question then I guess.

[Nemesis]

7 hours ago, DukeNinja said:

Well that answers the Citizenship question then I guess.

The citizenship question was regarding joining the AFP, who are Federal, and do require citizenship.

State Police Services have different rules. 

[JoeMcC]

Hi JoeMcC,
Don't listen to the above comments from the same old people who keep saying accross this forumn that there aren't opportunities to do XYZ. 
Victoria Police are in the middle of 3000 officer recruitment drive and yes, they offer a prior policing experience seperate recruitment as long as you have PR. 
I'm in the middle of the process at the moment and have the final interviews next week. 
You are allowed to nominate posting locations and you will likely get a metro posting as this is where they are increasing the numbers. Alot of country locations are actually oversubscribed and have long waiting lists. There are some very rural locations that need filling but that is done by a ballott and prior experience officers are exempt from this ballot process.
 
They honour your service and rank so will enter at the equivalent pay point. If you email the alternative employment unit they will send you a information booklet.
I am a DC from Bristol with 10 years service and recently moved to Melbourne on the back of my wifes visa, who is a teacher ( which according to the same lot above, is also impossible to achieve).
pm me on here if you need any other info. 
Cheers

Hi Bluebird,

Thanks for replying to my message. It’s great to hear from someone in a similar position. Good luck next week. I’ll PM you.

Thanks