Recruit training
Training is tailored to suit the different types of recruits who join the AFP:
- ACT Policing and Federal Agent
- Protective Service Officers
- Lateral transfers (from another police service) or re-joiners.
ACT Policing and Federal Agent recruit training (Federal Police Development Program)
The Federal Police Development Program is for both ACT Police and Federal Agent base recruits. The initial program is approximately 20 weeks live-in at the AFP College in Canberra. It combines theory, the practical application of knowledge, team projects, individual research, simulations and mandatory officer safety training, physical fitness training, commonly referred to as PT. The training is competency based and involves regular feedback and assessment. Some evening and weekend work is required. Course modules include:
- law
- evidence
- procedure
- investigation techniques
- police powers
- the intelligence process
- defensive skills
- firearms
- driver training.
At the successful completion of training, graduates are declared to be members of the AFP (thereby having police powers) and may be deployed to locations within the ACT or around Australia. You are usually notified about where you will be deployed before you start training.
On-the-job training follows formal training and is generally conducted over a 12 month probationary period.
A person's performance in training and while on probation is closely monitored. Unsatisfactory performance may result in termination of employment.
Protective Service Officer recruit training
The AFP runs specific recruit training for Protective Service Officers. This is a 13 week live-in course at the AFP College in Canberra. Occasional weekend and evening work is required including exercises at the shooting range and night operational simulations.
Theoretical components deal with the law and the role of a Protective Service Officer. Practical components include firearms training, defensive tactics (batons and handcuffs), crowd control (batons and shields) and team building exercises. The practical components of the course are physically based.
During the training, applicants will be required to obtain (and then maintain) the essential qualifications, skills and competencies required for the role of a Protective Service Officer.
All components of the course are assessable. There are weekly theory tests and regular progressive review tests that assess your accumulated knowledge as the course progresses.
Many of the required skills and competencies have an inherent fitness element associated with meeting the performance standards. This means that for re-qualification purposes, officers are required to maintain a level of fitness appropriate to the skills and competencies of their particular station.
A person's performance in training and while on probation is closely monitored. Unsatisfactory performance may result in the termination of employment.
Lateral transfer and re-joiner training (Federal Police Lateral Program)
The length of training for lateral transfer recruits depends on your contemporary policing and other related experience and skill levels. It may involve several weeks of live-in training at the AFP College in Canberra or focused on-the-job training in the state of deployment.
For International Deployment Group service, mission-specific training is also required.
Federal Police Lateral Programs are specifically designed for people with current policing experience from state or territory jurisdictions. Course content focuses on assisting recruits to adapt their existing knowledge of state legislation to the legislative framework used by the AFP.
Recruits receive instruction in relevant Commonwealth and ACT legislation, local practices, procedures and issues, and local criminal justice partners such as the courts and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
You will learn how the AFP’s corporate infrastructure has moved away from a traditional, hierarchical policing model to flexible, multi-skilled and empowered teams operating in an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
You are also required to participate in mandatory physical fitness training, commonly referred to as PT.
An essential element of lateral courses is a skills audit to assess your firearms, officer safety and driving skills. The AFP uses the audit to make the most effective placements.