Thursday, 19 February 2026

 Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (18:45): (2347) I rise today, and my matter is for the Minister for Police regarding Victoria Police recruitment standards following a recent change in their psychological assessment processes. Policing demands rigorous physical and mental fitness, so the action I seek is for the minister to provide a clear explanation of the safeguards in place under the new recruitment model and to confirm that the Victoria Police entry standard will not be diluted to address staffing shortages. A responsible government must ensure that those empowered to enforce the law meet the highest possible standards. Police officers carry firearms, make critical decisions under pressure and routinely face high risks and traumatic situations. For this reason the integrity of the recruitment and psychological screening process is not a mere formality, it is a crucial cornerstone to public safety.

Recent reports indicate Victoria Police has replaced its longstanding in-house psychological assessment program with a significantly streamlined system. Under the new model applicants complete a short online psychological test, with a final determination of mental fitness delegated to a general practitioner. This shift has raised substantial concerns. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the RACGP, has warned that such a process may expose both applicants and medical practitioners to medical and legal risks and could compromise public safety. The RACGP has also highlighted that most GPs do not have specialised training in assessing psychological suitability for policing roles, which requires evaluation methods tailored to the unique operational behaviour and risk demands on paramilitary organisations. A major change of this scale, particularly with essential services like Victoria Police, should be subject to thorough consultation with relevant medical bodies and psychological experts. Fast-tracking recruitment will fill workforce shortages, but it must never come at the expense of rigorous evidence-based screening. All Victorians deserve absolute confidence that every officer entrusted with public power has undergone robust and specialist psychological assessment to ensure their fitness for duty. The action I seek is for the minister to give an assurance to the house that the Victoria Police recruitment standards have not been weakened under the new system.