1964
Application processes and requirements to join the Queensland Police have changed markedly since 1914 (read Qld Police 150 Years of Recruiting: Part 1 1864 – 1914). The process became standardised and streamlined. Handwritten application letters were replaced with printed forms while educational provisions now required all applicants to possess a Queensland Junior Certificate or its equivalent, have a minimum passing grade in at least 5 subjects including English or English expression. The handwritten letters were no longer primary indicators of applicants’ literacy levels. All candidates had to be Australian citizens, or naturalised British subjects of good character, between 19 and 30 years old, with special approval for over those over 30 but under 35 (single or married).
Queensland Police Force Application for Appointment as a Constable, 1963.
Physiometric requirements, on the other hand, remained the same; with a minimum height, weight and chest measurement of approximately 5’9 (175cm), ten stone eight pounds (67kg) (stripped), and 35.5 inches (90.1cm) deflated to 38 inches (96.5 cm) inflated respectively. Applicants were required to be physically fit, experienced horsemen and to possess good eye sight without the aid of spectacles or contact lenses and a normal colour sense. Every candidate had to undergo a medical examination.
All applicants to the Queensland Police Force (QPF) were obligated to disclose personal information such as their places of residence, previous employment, age on leaving school and grade reached, list any relatives of such character as to bring discredit on the police force, any illegitimate children or illicit entanglements with females. Two favourable references had to be provided vouching for an applicant’s sober habits and good character.
Queensland Police Force Recruiting Advertisements, c1970.
On 30 March, 1965 the first women were sworn into the QPF as Constables. Women applicants had to stand clear 5 feet and 4 inches (162cm) without footwear, and be in such ‘a state of physical fitness as to be likely to remain physically fit under all conditions of service until attaining the age of 60 years.’ The marriage bar for women remained in place until 1971. For the next decade, women police performed duties connected with young persons, children and female offenders, with the first female Detective appointed in 1974.
2014
Much has changed in the last 50 years. Present day recruiting guidelines do not discriminate between male and female applicants, or by age. Contrary to the standards provided in Queensland Policeman’s Manual 1969, the physical and educational requirements are now uniform. All Queensland Police Service hopefuls must have completed year 12 or have had 3 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, paid employment since leaving high school, hold a valid driver’s licence and be physically and mentally fit to undertake the duties of a Constable. The narrowly defined physiometric requirements have been substituted with general BMI (Body Mass Index) specifications. A potential recruit must, however, possess a reasonable degree of aerobic fitness necessary to perform duties as an operational police officer involving periods of intense and strenuous physical exertion.
Physical and literacy tests grew in their complexity and sophistication. The current physical component incorporates six assessments, which are used to test strength, agility and cardio-vascular fitness. Literacy tests include written and listening comprehension, a writing task along with cognitive and reasoning abilities tests. As a rule, questions are designed to see how well an applicant can solve different kinds of problems, which include number series, word meanings and numerically based problems.
Character references have long been replaced with an integrity vetting process, accordingly individuals applying to be appointed as a police recruit must be able to meet very high standards of past behaviour and conduct. Starting 1 July, 2012 all Queensland Police Service applicants must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI), online or in person, before being invited to sit the assessments and undergo the vetting process.
For further details regarding the recruiting process please visit http://www.policerecruit.qld.gov.au/
____________________
This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available. The article was written by Museum Volunteer and Crime and Policing Historian Dr Anastasia Dukova.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“FROM the VAULT – Qld Police 150 Years of Recruiting: Part 2 1964 – 2014” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode