Queensland Police Service Recruiting
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) requires that persons applying to be appointed as a police recruit/police officer meet high standards of behaviour and conduct. Police officers are granted powers that exceed those afforded to other citizens, exercise broad discretions, often unsupervised, and are exposed, on occasions, to substantial opportunities to engage in corrupt or improper activities. In order to be considered as a police recruit, an applicant must be of good character and meet the below integrity guidelines. This includes an assessment of an applicant’s past conduct including relevant criminal and traffic history.
In addition, should the applicant associate with people whose poor character or reputation may present an unacceptable risk to the Queensland Police Service, they may be subject to a period of exclusion from the application process or alternatively their application may be rejected.
When interpreting these integrity guidelines, a finding of guilt includes convictions, suspended sentences, good behaviour bonds, finalised penalty and infringement notices. Instances where the outcome is caution (adult or juvenile), diversion, no conviction recorded or stay of proceedings, these outcomes will be considered on a case by case basis.
Decisions with respect to appointment are made by fair and equitable procedures which take account of the merits of each case.
Depending upon the merits of the case, the decision-maker may (but not must) rely on an exclusion period of up to the time nominated in the schedule to the guidelines.
The exclusion periods set out in the Schedule are indicative rather than mandatory and may be amended depending upon the circumstances which apply at the time an application is considered.
Multiple offences &/or integrity matters may result in a longer exclusion period or deemed unsuitable.
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Imprisonment sentence
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Imprisonment sentence An applicant who has been sentenced to any term of imprisonment including suspended sentences and youth detention. Unsuitable Indictable offences (serious offences)
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Indictable offences (serious offences) An applicant with a finding of guilt for an offence such of break and enter, fraud, stealing, serious assaults, unlawful use of motor vehicle or other serious offences. Up to unsuitable Drugs Misuse Act 1996 including drug diversion and self-disclosure of drug use/possession
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Drugs Misuse Act 1996 including drug diversion and self-disclosure of drug use/possession An applicant with a finding of guilt for drug manufacture, drug trafficking. Up to unsuitable. An applicant with a finding of guilt for any other offence preferred under the Drugs Misuse Act 1986. An applicant who has successfully completed a drug diversion program. Up to 5 years An applicant who discloses drug use or possession that has not previously been dealt with by police may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Summary offences
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Summary offences
Domestic and family violence orders
Offences involving alcohol (drunk) and non TORUM infringementsAn applicant with a finding of guilt for a summary offence/s involving assault, property damage, dishonesty.
The exclusion period applies after the most recent offence.
Up to 5 years An applicant with a finding of guilt for an offence against a police officer or other emergency service worker. Up to unsuitable An applicant with a finding of guilt for fare evasion including rail evasions or like offences. Up to 2 years Domestic and family violence orders
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Domestic and family violence orders An applicant who is the subject of an Interim Domestic and Family Violence Order is ineligible to apply whilst the order is in effect. Up to unsuitable An applicant named as the respondent in a current Domestic and Family Violence Protection Order, or previous order. An applicant with a finding of guilt for contravening a Domestic and Family Violence Order. Offences involving alcohol (drunk) and non TORUM infringements
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Offences involving alcohol (drunk) and non TORUM infringements An applicant with a finding of guilt for any offence involving alcohol that is not a drink driving offence. Up to 2 years An applicant’s non TORUM infringement history include but are not limited to:
- Drunk
- Contravene requirement
- Consume liquor in a public place and other Liquor Act offences
False and misleading information
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period False and misleading information An applicant found to have deliberately supplied false, incomplete or misleading information to enter the Queensland Police Service. Up to unsuitable Outstanding warrants/orders
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Outstanding warrants/orders An applicant who has an outstanding warrant, court orders including probation, Corrective Services orders or payment plans. Not eligible to apply until finalised. Currently under investigation
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Currently under investigation An applicant who is currently under investigation for, charged with or awaiting criminal proceedings. Not eligible to apply until finalised. Bankruptcy
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Bankruptcy An applicant who is an undischarged bankrupt. Not eligible to apply until discharged An applicant who is a discharged bankrupt. Up to unsuitable Associations
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Associations An applicant who associates with people of poor character or reputation or who associates with people who may present an unacceptable risk to the Queensland Police Service may not be eligible to apply. Up to unsuitable Declarable Associations Policy and Procedures (PDF) apply to everyone who is employed or engaged by the QPS.
Social media presence
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Social media presence An applicant who has or who at anytime has had a social media presence in any form whatsoever including (but not limited to) postings, comments or chat groups that do not comply or align with the Queensland Police Service values or Code of Conduct may not be eligible to apply.
This also includes membership of groups who espouse or promote vies or ideals in conflict with the Queensland Police Service values or the Code of Conduct.
Up to unsuitable Drink driving and serious driving offences
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Drink driving and serious driving offences An applicant with a finding of guilt for any driving offence involving a blood alcohol level with a reading of 0.15% or higher, including but not limited to:
- Drug Impaired Driving
- Failure to Supply Breath/Blood/Saliva/Urine
- Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Up to 5 years An applicant with a finding of guilt for blood alcohol reading of less than 0.15%. Up to 2 years Drivers Licence - Suspension, cancellations, restrictions, etc.
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Driving whilst licence suspended, cancelled or disqualified An applicant with a finding of guilt for driving whilst disqualified driving or driving on a cancelled licence. Up to 5 years An applicant with a finding of guilt for driving on a suspended licence. Up to 2 years Licence suspensions, SPER suspensions An applicant who has a current licence suspension. Not eligible to apply. An applicant (open or probationary licence holder) with any licence suspension/cancellation for matters involving SPER. Up to 1 year from reinstatement of licence. An applicant with a finding of guilt for offences including Recently Expired Licence or Unlicensed Driving or Drive Unregistered/Uninsured vehicle. Up to 1 year from reinstatement of licence. An applicants with a driver licence restriction. Up to 1 year from ceasing of restrictions. Demerit points
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Demerit points Applicants are expected to have no more than 8 demerit points accumulated. Applicants who have 7 or 8 demerit points will be subject to show cause proceedings and their suitability reviewed on a case by case basis. Up to such time the applicant has equal to or less than 8 points accumulated. Applicants with 7 or 8 points will be assessed on a case by case basis. Former or serving police officers from other jurisdictions or other Government Agencies.
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Former or serving police officers from other jurisdictions or other Government Agencies. These applications will include consideration of the current / former officer’s complaints & discipline history. Up to unsuitable Former or serving members of the Australian Defence Force
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Former or serving members of the Australian Defence Force These applications will include consideration of the current / former ADF member’s complaints & discipline history. Up to unsuitable Intelligence
Integrity matter Explanation Exclusion period Intelligence These applications will include consideration of intelligence holdings from the Queensland Police Service any other law enforcement agency. Up to unsuitable -
What is 'Relevant Information' and why do I have to disclose it?
Relevant Information is any information that may affect your suitability to apply as a police recruit. Failing to disclose information or providing false or misleading information may result in the determination that you are unsuitable for employment by the service.
Do I have to declare all traffic and criminal history in Australia and overseas?
Yes, you must disclose if you have ever received any traffic infringement notices; been arrested; taken to a watch-house; received a summons or Notice to Appear; appeared in a court to answer a charge; had a matter considered by a criminal court; received a caution (even as a juvenile); or been involved in any domestic or family violence matters.
Also, if you have been interviewed, questioned or investigated in connection with any criminal, civil, military or other offence or incident other than as a victim/ complainant/ witness, it must be declared.
If you are unsure – provide the information. Otherwise it may be considered that you have failed to provide ‘relevant information’, and this could impact on your suitability.
If you had a court appearance where the Magistrate indicated 'No conviction recorded', you are still required to declare it. All court-related matters, regardless of the location and outcome are to be declared.
If am currently bankrupt or have a Debt Agreement - will this affect my application?
If you are currently bankrupt, you will be deemed unsuitable. If you have been discharged, you must provide a Certificate of Discharge, supply a current credit report and your application may be reviewed.
A Part 9 Debt Agreement will not affect your Police Recruit Application.
What is a declarable association, and should I do if I think I have a declarable association?
Association is an interaction with another person, group, entity, organisation or event that is unrelated to a person’s duties or connection with the QPS. In terms of people, this may include: family members, friends, and people who live/lived at your residence.
Declarable association includes any association that:
- is incompatible with (or could be perceived to be) or may compromise a person’s role, duties or engagement with the QPS; or
- may give rise to a perception in the mind of a reasonable member of the public that a person’s obligations to the QPS are not being upheld; or
- reflects adversely on the QPS or a person who works for or is engaged by the QPS; or
- could lead to an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest (including financial conflict); or
- could compromise the operational effectiveness of the QPS; or
- presents any other determined risk.
Declarable Associations Policy and Procedures (PDF) apply to everyone who is employed or engaged by the QPS. If you are concerned about a declarable association/s, you can email the Vetting Unit.
Everyone is personally responsible for proactively assessing and identifying all associations that are, or may reasonably be perceived to be, a declarable association. This will continue to occur while you remain employed by or engaged with the QPS.