Constable Development Program

For the first nine months you'll be based at the Police Academy at Taperoo doing the cadet training phases of the two-year Constable Development Program.

The course combines academic studies in law, policy and procedures, with practical exercises, physical conditioning and operational safety and communications training.

When you graduate from the cadet training phases, you become a probationary constable and will be posted to one of the six metropolitan local service areas (LSAs) to work under the supervision of a field tutor for six months.

You may then be posted to various locations throughout the state for another nine months.

After your probationary period (a total of 15 months) you will be considered for permanent appointment to the rank of constable.

Cadet Training Phases

If you are successful in being accepted for training at the Academy, you'll be placed in a cadet course of up to 30 recruits.

At the Academy you'll:

• have lessons on law, investigations and procedure
• undertake operational safety training (eg searching and handcuffing, restraint techniques, incident management and physical conditioning)
• undertake basic police driver training
• have training in the use of firearms
• do role play scenarios putting what you've learnt into practice
• keep and submit police paperwork as if responding to real police tasking in an operational environment.

You'll be expected to display:

• leadership
• teamwork, and
• problem-solving ability.

You'll have two phases of work-based training called 'Outphases' where you'll have the opportunity to observe police tasks and to put some of what you have learnt into practice in the 'real world'.

During the course you'll undertake 'Summative' theoretical and practical examinations to assess your skills, knowledge and aptitudes. 

The cadet training phases challenge and develop you as an individual.  At the end of your cadet training you'll have reason to graduate with pride, knowing that you have trained hard for the work and situations you will meet in the operational environment.

The table below outlines the timing of the cadet training phases of the Constable Development Program.

Probationary Constable Training Phases

When you have successfully completed the cadet training phases at the Academy, you'll become a probationary constable.

Your first training period as a probationary constable will require participation in a Traffic Induction Module (TIM) which is a 6 day program of practical training and application in the use of laser speed detection devices, alcotesting devices for breath screening and traffic control duties. This week will include a commitment to Random Breath Testing duties as well as detecting breaches of the Road Traffic Act including Australian Road Rules whilst working under the direct supervision of a qualified Field Tutor. Once this training is complete you will commence duties with your allocated patrol team.

For the first six months you'll work with a field tutor, mainly undertaking general duties on front-line patrols in the metropolitan area only.  You could be based in a police station anywhere from Gawler to Aldinga.

During this time you could respond to jobs such as assaults, disturbances, armed hold ups, domestic violence, traffic accidents, deaths and burglaries.

You'll also spend a short period in a major police station with cell facilities.

After successful completion of a Personal Learning Portfolio (a guided learning workbook) you could be transferred to any local service area (LSA) within the state or to the Transit Services Branch. Your training will continue wherever you are posted and collection of evidence to support ongoing workplace competence is essential.

For nine months you'll predominantly undertake general operational duties within patrol, station and cells.

Six months into phase seven, you'll return to the Police Academy for final testing at a Probationary Constable Assessment Workshop before being considered for permanent appointment as a constable with the South Australia Police.

The table below outlines the timing of the probationary constable phases of the Constable Development Program.