Applications to join Victoria Police have hit a seven-year high as the force ramps up its recruitment drive.
New figures reveal 9007 people applied to become a police officer between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, up from 7677 the previous year.
It is the highest number of applications since 2018-19, when 9799 applications were lodged.
One in four applicants was aged between 18 and 21.
The first regional academy, here in Mildura, will welcome recruits from January while a new 25-week training program is getting recruits to the frontline sooner.
Victoria Police is also cutting red tape so existing police can spend more time policing.
This includes recruiting 400 reservist positions to help with station counter duties and paperwork, freeing up around 16,000 policing hours each week.
