Strewth! Australian police tempt British bobbies to move Down Under with sun-soaked marketing campaign

British bobbies are being poached by Australian police in a recruitment campaign showcasing the country’s tropical climate and white sand beaches.

South Australia Police are hosting a series of events around the UK as they look to tempt new recruits Down Under.

The Aussie force has even enlisted its commissioner to record a jokey video that sees him sell the benefits of the job.

During the short film, Commissioner Grant Stevens outlines the reasons why people might want to work for the force.

As the video progresses a background screen – showing a squad car parked on a beach at sunset - falls over to reveal the footage is actually being shot at an equally picturesque seaside location in blazing sunshine, with the commissioner even wearing shorts as he stands in the crystal clear waters.

In the clip, Commissioner Stevens, who is looking to attract 200 experienced officers from overseas, states: ‘We have a lot of competitive advantages, including a great salary, and we’ll pay for the cost of a permanent Visa for you and your family.’

The video starts with Commissioner Stevens inwhat looks like a sunset scene at a beach

Officers who swap crimefighting in Britain for the sunshine of Oz are told they will enjoy competitive advantages including ‘a great salary’, according to the campaign.

But the recruitment drive is unlikely to be welcomed by UK forces looking to retain their experienced staff. 

As the campaign video progresses, it turns out hes been standing in front of a screen and thats hes actually knee-deep in the sea in a pair of shorts amid blazing sunshine

Officers moving Down Under will be able to enjoy the beaches around Adelaide

A delegation of SAPOL officers are travelling to London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow in April and May of this year to host information sessions and meet with interested police officers face-to-face.

Chief Insp Scott Collins, a former Thames Valley police officer, is leading the international recruitment drive.

He said: ‘Having made the move myself, I can personally attest to the incredible opportunities and lifestyle that South Australia offers.

‘I am leading a team travelling across the UK this April and May to meet with English, Welsh, and Scottish police officers and deliver information sessions.’

Part of the marketing campaign has includeda video recorded by one of the Aussie forces officers who documented what she gets up to on her days off.

The footage showed her surfing off the coast of a sun-drenched beach, meeting friends for lunch and then getting ready to start a shift at work.

David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation which represents rank and file officers, said: ‘It’s quite a smart marketing strategy.

The slick marketing campaignfeatures sunny Australian weather, which stands in stark contrast to the more inclement weather often endured by officers in Britain

Another video used to attract recruits from the UK showed what an officer does on her days off

The footage showed her surfing off the coast of a sun-drenched beach, meeting friends for lunch and then getting ready to start a shift at work.

However, I dare say the realities of policing won’t be that different to what it is in Scotland. You can have all the job satisfaction you’d want working here.

‘The wider question for Police Scotland is what it will do to retain officers and replace those that do go.’

The Aussie force has already had success in poaching talented staff from Scotland.

One new recruit, called Emma, was said to have 14 years’ worth of ‘policing experience in Scotland’ before moving to Oz.

Another new recruit – Darren – filmed a video for his new employers with his wife Laura, revealing he’d been recruited at an event at Scotland’s national stadium – Hampden, in Glasgow, last year.

The former Police Scotland officer, who revealed it had taken just 10 months to make the move, said: ‘When the opportunity came along to do the job that I love here – in the place I wanted to stay – then it was a no brainer.’

His wife Laura added: ‘It’s been really straightforward. Even the school system has been super easy to get in touch with and everyone has been so pleasant to deal with. It’s made it really easy for us.’

In January, the Aussie force boasted of securing 34 new recruits ‘from interstate and overseas, including two Scots.

In a post, it shared a photo of the two Scots, stating: ‘Robert and Aimee are two recruits that were sworn-in this week.

‘Robert arrived in South Australia on New Year’s Day with his wife and two young children from Scotland.’

It added: ‘Aimee, also from Scotland, made the decision to move to South Australia after speaking with the recruitment team in her home country.’

Aimee, whose surname was not given, added: ‘When speaking with the officers at the recruitment event I heard their stories about the job and day-to-day life.

‘The work life balance really appealed to me, as I felt this was something I was really missing in my previous role.’

The Aussie force is looking to recruit officers from the UK with at least three years’ experience.

It is even offering to cover the cost of a permanent visa for recruits and their families, as well as stating those taken on will get six weeks annual leave.

Successful applicants start on a salary of around £38,845 ($80,190) during their probation period, which can last as little as six months.

After that, they will be paid at a level that recognises their ‘prior service and learning’.

The video ends with the smiling officer wearing her uniform as she prepares to start her shift

For example, the salary for a constable ranges from £40,150 to £47,780. A senior constable earns between £47,990 and £54,784 or up to £56,140 for senior constable(first class).

Senior sergeants earn up to £69,800 while an inspector’s salary goes up to £82,882 and £90,180 for a chief inspector.

A superintendent salary goes up to £98,400 while it is £102,137 for a chief superintendent and £105,545 for a commander.

 A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘Policing is a relentless, but immensely rewarding vocation, and I am grateful to those who put themselves forward to provide this crucial service to the people and places of Scotland.

‘As a single nationwide organisation, our urban, remote, rural and island communities are policed by dedicated officers who are committed to providing the best possible service backed up by their local knowledge. 

They do so knowing they are supported by the strength of a national services with specialist resources available right across the country.

‘All our officers, and staff, work incredibly hard to maintain effective policing.

‘As with all sectors, people leave policing for all sorts of reasons, but retention levels within Police Scotland remain very high compared to other organisations.’