Stage 2: Applicant Testing

• Psychometric assessment
• Physical Competency Test (i.e. Beep Test)
• Panel interview
• Integrity/conduct
• Community/background enquiries

Psychometric assessment

When attending the psychometric assessment, you are required to present photographic identification in the form of a driver licence or passport. No calculators, books, dictionaries, notes, writing paper or calculator watches are to be taken into the assessment room. Mobile phones are to be switched off during this period. You will be provided with the necessary materials such as pencils and erasers to complete the tests.

The purpose of conducting psychometric testing is to ensure that recruits have the necessary abilities and personality to perform the requirements of the role.  The Queensland Police Service (QPS) recognises the following 42 psychological characteristics as those desirable for general duties policing:

The psychometric assessment consists of four measures. Together these tests provide an indication of your general mental ability, personality and literacy.  You will be given clear instructions on how to complete each test within this assessment.

Cognitive Ability Test – Timed
Cognitive ability is a measure of general mental ability (or intelligence).  It provides an indication of a person’s ability to solve problems, reason, plan, organise and grasp complex problems.  The Queensland Police Service’s cognitive ability test indicates measures of the three core abilities: verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning.

Personality questionnaires - Untimed
These questionnaires are designed to provide a picture of the characteristics that influence your thoughts and behaviours.  One of the questionnaires provides a profile of how you rate on a number of personality dimensions, including the police related dimensions: conscientiousness, emotional stability, warmth, integrity and conformity. The other questionnaire is a detailed measure which is related to emotional stability and will indicate your ability to cope under highly stressful situations.

Literacy Indicator – Timed
You will be asked to write an approximately 200 word response to a standard interview question.  Your response will indicate if you have the necessary literacy skill required for a police officer.

If you are unsuccessful, you will have the opportunity to receive feedback regarding your results.

Physical Competency Test

This assessment provides for differences among applicants and allows for you to be individually assessed within the process.

Physical competency test: As of 1 July the 2.4km run will be replaced with the BEEP TEST (also known as a shuttle run). 

This exercise is carried out on a flat, non slip surface between two markers placed 20 metres apart.  Applicants are required to run between the markers in time with an audio track played by assessment organisers.  Beginning at Level 1, applicants must progress through each level and the required number of laps to the minimum level required for their age and gender.

Fitness preparation and training programs will be offered by Appointed PCYCs ( 267 KB) throughout Queensland.  All PCYC’s that have been appointed to offer training preparation are also able to conduct testing assessment on the part of the Academy for applicants wishing to FASTTRACK! their application.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are thoroughly prepared for this test.

Rating System for Applicants

Level A: The applicant has superior fitness and should have no difficulty in completing fitness assessments at the Academy.

Level B: The applicant has a good fitness level and should have little difficulty in completing fitness assessments at the Academy.

Level C: (Minimum entry level) The applicant has average fitness and should be able to achieve the fitness assessments at the Academy with some or minimal assistance.

Level D: The applicant has below average fitness and while an application may be submitted once an applicant has reached this level, appointment to an Academy is conditional upon attaining Level C or higher.

Level E: The applicant has poor fitness level and an application should not be submitted until a higher level of fitness is attained.

Please note that your physical competency test result is valid for six months from the time of completion until commencing at the Academy.

On the day of your test you are required to present photographic identification.

You must also present a copy of the Certificate of Fitness Indemnity form ( 221 KB) to the assessor, prior to undertaking the BEEP TEST.  The certificate confirms that you are physically fit to perform this test.

You are required to wear appropriate footwear and clothing when completing the test. You are not permitted to use a personal trainer or any other person when completing the test. It is suggested that you arrive at your test venue with sufficient time to warm up.

If you are ill or injured and do not attend the physical competency test, you should advise POLICE RECRUITING (07) 3360 8000 on the next working day and arrange an alternate test date.

For further clarification on any of the revised processes, please contact;

POLICE RECRUITING

Tel: (07) 3364 8000
or
email: recruiting@police.qld.gov.au

Panel Interview

Interviews are conducted by a panel consisting of a police officer and a representative of the community.  The interview is structured and you will be asked a series of pre-determined questions based on the selection criteria to ensure a consistent form of assessment. The interview will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your merit for each selection criteria using your level of life experience, employment skills, community involvement, communication and interpersonal skills, and overall personal suitability to undertake general duties policing.

To prepare for the interview, it is strongly recommended that you review the selection criteria ( 170 KB).

In order to prepare, you will be given the interview questions approximately 40 minutes before the interview. The interview is interactive, and additional questions may be asked by members of the panel to explore issues raised. The actual interview will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

Prior to attending the panel interview, it is certainly worthwhile to research the role of a Queensland police officer. To gain an appreciation of this role, it is recommended that you speak to a number of police officers.

The following documents have been included to provide you with an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a general duties police officer:

• General Duties Police Officer Position Description ( 130 KB) and
• Core Competencies required of a general duties police officer ( 476 KB)

You are required to present photographic identification at the start of the panel interview. Originals of the documents you must present at this time are your:

• birth certificate/certificate of residency or citizenship;
• educational qualifications; and
• Australian Open driver licence OR Australian Provisional driver licence with one year of driving experience, including proof of successful completion of defensive driving course TLIC107C  .

On the day of your interview, your fingerprints will be taken and checked against computer database records.

Integrity/conduct

At this stage of the process the QPS will undertake a thorough examination of all integrity issues. It is the applicants responsibility to advise the QPS of any additional matters relating to ‘relevant information’ that have occurred since completing the original 'Suitability of Assessment Form'. For full information relating to 'relevant information' please contact  Police Recruiting on (07) 3364 8000.

Download full information relating to 'Relevant Information' ( 33 KB)

Community/background enquiries

As part of the police recruit selection process, the QPS undertakes a wide range of community background enquiries. Community background enquiries, including reports from your referees and police referees, current and former employers, and residence checks are conducted to assist in determining your suitability to perform general duties policing and to assess your level of integrity, character and conduct for appointment as a police recruit.

You are required to complete an authority form for the consent and authority to undertake background enquiries and for the release and delivery of such information to the QPS.

The comments or information received during community background enquiries will be treated confidentially by the QPS (unless the person expressly authorises the release of the comments or information to you) as the comments and information are provided to the QPS on a confidential basis for the express purpose of assessing your merit for appointment as police recruits.

In circumstances where adverse comments or information is provided and the comments or information will likely exclude you from appointment as a police recruit, procedural fairness requires that you be informed of the substance, basis or essential elements of the adverse comments or information to give you an opportunity to answer or respond to it before any decision is made.

The selection of the right people as police officers is especially critical to maintain community confidence in the integrity of the Service. Bearing in mind the very high expectations the community places on its police service, it is necessary to ensure your suitability to perform police duties, and that your integrity, character and conduct is of a very high standard.

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