Strong Interest for Mildura Police Academy

More than 170 aspiring police officers have expressed interest in completing their training at Victoria's new regional police academy in Mildura.

The strong response has come within just one week of expressions of interest opening, ahead of the academy welcoming its first recruits in January next year.

Victoria Police says the new academy will allow recruits to complete the full 25-week training program locally for the first time, removing the need to relocate to Melbourne.

The initiative is expected to make policing a more realistic career option for regional residents, particularly those with family commitments or those unable to meet the costs of moving to the city.

Interest has come from across western Victoria, as well as border communities in New South Wales and South Australia.

Recruitment information sessions have also attracted strong support, with 135 people attending a sold-out event in Mildura and more than 30 attending a session in Swan Hill.

The academy will open on the 18th of January with an initial intake of up to 25 recruits.

Graduates will complete their training in Mildura before being deployed to policing roles across the Mallee region.

Victoria Police is encouraging anyone considering a policing career to apply early, saying recruits at Mildura will receive the same training, salary and employment conditions as those attending the Melbourne academy.