Accelerated Prosecutors Recruitment Program

Police Prosecuting - An intelligent career choice

Do you have a law degree? Are you intrigued by criminal cases? Interested in justice? Keen to develop excellent advocacy skills? Then police prosecuting is the career you are looking for.

NSW Police Prosecutors are responsible for prosecuting matters on behalf of the NSW Police Force as well as other government agencies in Local Courts, Children's Courts and the Coroner's Courts in over 150 locations across the State. Police prosecutors are responsible for prosecuting 95% of all criminal cases in this State.

Police prosecuting is a career where you will make a real difference in your community. As a police prosecutor you will receive a starting salary of around $53,000 + plus allowances.

Requirements

Prior to 2008, law graduates were not able to become police prosecutors without first spending at least 3 years performing other policing duties. Under a new initiative, the Accelerated Prosecutors Recruitment Program (APRP), the NSW Police Force is now recruiting law graduates and fast tracking them into prosecuting.

This new program involves completing an Associate Degree in Policing Practice (ADPP) as well as some time performing and gaining an insight into general policing duties.  
The new fast tracked career path for prosecutors with law degrees consists of four stages.

Stage 1

A 14 week Constable Education Program (CEP) which may completed via on-line distance education. This session introduces you to the fundamentals of policing, including law and police procedure. At the completion of stage one you are required to complete a two week field placement at a police station.

Stage 2

A further 14 week residential component at the Police College, Goulburn.  During this session students are introduced to the practical aspects of policing, while continuing law and procedure studies. It also includes driver, weapons and tactics training. 

Stage 3

At the completion of Stage 2 recruits are attested into the NSW Police Force as a probationary constable and start receiving a wage. The probationary constable completes Sessions 3-5 whilst undergoing a 12 month probation period performing general duties at a police station. People who enter the NSW Police Force under this scheme are given credit for various assignments during sessions 3-5.

During this period, the probationary constable spends one week in every month with the Police Prosecutors, receiving theoretical instruction and practical experience in criminal law and procedure, evidence and advocacy. 

Stage 4

At the completion of the 12 month probation period the officer is transferred to the Police Prosecutions Command to continue their prosecutor education and prosecute on a full time basis.

Application Process

If you wish to apply under this program, you will need to apply to both Charles Sturt University and the NSW Police Force. You can download the Charles Sturt University application for an Associate Degree in Policing Practice at http://www.csu.edu.au/student/police/apply.htm. You need to fill in both the ‘application form’ and the ‘authority form.

You will also need to obtain a Professional Suitability Application Kit. Go to the police website at www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment. On the bottom right hand side of the page, select the icon that says ‘Already have a CSU number? Download the Professional Suitability Application Kit’. On the next page, tick the box that says, ‘Yes I have been assessed and cleared by Charles Sturt University.’ You need to download both the red and blue forms and fill them out. You do not need to fill in your Charles Sturt University number as requested. Post the Professional Suitability Application Kit to the following address in order to be considered for the Accelerated Prosecutor Recruitment Program:

Sergeant Darren Critchley
Police Recruitment Branch
Locked Bag 5102
PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

For further information please contact

Ashley Holmes
Senior Sergeant/solicitor
Ph (02) 9689 7535