Hey there i was in the Tasmania Police, basically you sit an entrance exam, with checks your basic numeracy, spelling and grammer aswell as memory skills, you will also under go a psyc test to make sure you not going to hurt any one. Upon completion of this if you are successful you will inder go a physicial test which involved endurance and strength. With the mainland police forces i believe you have to have 3 semesters of univeristy behind you in an associated degree of some kind before applying although with Tas you dont, but you also spend longer at the academy in Tas, 8 months in total. Tas has great pay and great working conditions.
My advice is dont go thinking it all the glam it is made out to be. There is so much you dont see that affects you. Remember you are dealing with the bad stuff nearly all the time, and although completing a case is rewarding often getting there isnt. You have to know within your self that you can leave work at work! Don't ever bring it home, you need to be able to switch off.
Don;t let the power go to your head, they're the kind of police who dont last, you are just another person doing your job, remember the good cops are the ones wanting to make a difference without makeing them selves the idol. It isnt just about self satisfaction but knowing you have helped others. You will be in the firing line, not just of bullets or knives, but of family domestics, young kids being abused and telling families they have lost their closest ones.
The best bet would be to ring Victoria Police Recruitment for more information on replying. Give it some thought if it is really what you want to do. If you want to make a difference and honestly believe you can GO FOR IT, there needs to be more cops like that, but remember also it wont happen over night, have the persistence to keep going, always look deeper, and remember if it is what you want go for it and dont let nothing stand in your way
Cheers,
Pog