How training at the AFP College works

Your first day and first week

Your first day at the AFP College will look like this:

• Check in – get room key and security pass
• Lunch
• Gather in the lounge to meet the rest of the class, program managers and delivery staff
• Briefings in theatrette – introductions, program outline, expectations, security briefings, college familiarisation and question time
• BBQ dinner to get to know one another.

Your first week will include:

• Official opening of the program
• Induction for AFP organisational processes/procedures
• Uniform fittings
• Team building/overnight exercises
• Commence learning.

Police officer training

The Federal Police Development Program (FPDP) gives police officer recruits the foundation skills and knowledge to perform as a police constable in the AFP. Lasting approximately 24 weeks, the FPDP incorporates theory and practical learning. Through it, you will:

• Undertake operational safety-based training, including firearms, driver training and defensive tactics
• Learn how to interpret legislation to determine what offences have occurred, gather evidence and conduct investigations  
• Become familiar with organisational policy and procedure across a variety of situations in a culturally sensitive manner to uphold the values of the AFP
• Learn how to respond to incidents and resolve the situations appropriately
• Learn how to apply organisational policy and procedure to ethically process offenders and begin the judicial process
• Learn how to interpret criminal legislation, AFP governance and guidelines and demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge in order to make sound judgements  
• Develop specialist policing skills and knowledge
• Be able to demonstrate suitability for a police officer position before deployment to ACT Policing or National Operations.
• Following graduation, you will be required to complete a workbook within a year. Completion of the workbook will enable you to receive a pay rise and obtain a Diploma of Policing, issued by the AFP in its capacity as a Registered Training Organisation.

Protective service officer training

The Protective Service Officer Program (PSOP) gives protective service officer recruits the required skills and knowledge to perform effectively. Lasting approximately 14 weeks, the PSOP incorporates theory and practical learning. Through it, you will:

• Undertake operational safety-based training, including firearms, driver training and defensive tactics
• Learn how to interpret legislation to determine what offences have occurred
• Learn how to apply protective service methods
• Learn how to escort people in a protection environment
• Learn how to operate safely
• Learn how to communicate
• Become familiar with organisational policy and procedure across a variety of situations in a culturally sensitive manner to uphold the values of the AFP
• Learn how to respond to incidents and resolve the situations appropriately
• Learn how to interpret relevant legislation, AFP governance and guidelines and demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge in order to make sound judgements
• Be able to demonstrate suitability for deployment within the Specialist Protection Command with a Certificate IV in Protective Services.

College life

The AFP College is located near Lake Burley Griffin in the heart of Canberra. College life consists of:

• Following the training program as a squad – recruit classes are generally consist of up to 30 people
• The training program generally runs from Monday to Friday, with out-of-hours work required for assignments and study
• Physical training three times a week with qualified trainers.

College facilities

The AFP College facilities include:

• The AFP Resources Centre (Library) to help with study (and more)
• A fully equipped gym accessible 24/7
• Single-room accommodation, including bed, desk, en-suite and computer
• Common areas for socialising
• Dining hall for all meals
• Shared communal laundry
• Computer rooms
• Training rooms
• Welfare services.

Further training and education information

• The AFP College is a registered training organisation (RTO)
• Each course is made of different subjects, including legislation, offences, powers, evidence, writing statements and preparing briefs of evidence, patrolling and operational safety training
• Each subject is taught by experts with extensive practical experience. Trainers rotate regularly to ensure currency of knowledge
• Recruits take practical- and theory-based assessments and also produce assignments
• Recruits must pass all assessment components
• Awards are given out at graduation to students who excel in certain aspects of training
• Each recruit class is led by a sergeant and up to three senior police officers or protective service officers.