Exciting Non-Cop Role in the Cops: Unsworn Police Jobs

Thinking about working for the NSW Police but don’t want to wear a badge or carry a gun? This article breaks down everything you need to know about unsworn police jobs—what they are, the different roles available, how to get started, and how to write a strong application. Whether you’re into admin, call centres, forensics, or finance, there’s a civilian role in the police force that could be a perfect fit.

Unsworn Police Jobs in NSW: Careers That Don’t Require a Badge or a Gun

When you think of the New South Wales Police Force, you probably picture someone in uniform, maybe with a gun on their hip. But did you know that you don’t need a badge or a weapon to work for the police?

In fact, while there are roughly 16,000 sworn police officers, they’re supported by over 4,000 civilian employees—also known as unsworn police staff—working in a wide variety of roles across the state. And these jobs aren’t just admin. Unsworn roles include taking 000 calls, analysing intelligence, managing forensic evidence, and coordinating finance and HR for police operations.

What’s the Difference Between Sworn and Unsworn Police Roles?

Sworn police officers are trained through the NSW Police Academy and given legal powers that civilians don’t have. They start their careers in general duties—responding to domestic violence, car crashes, break and enters, and other local incidents. Over time, they might specialise in things like highway patrol, investigations, counter-terrorism, or specialist response teams like the riot squad.

To become a sworn officer, you need to pass the Police Professional Suitability Assessment and complete months of training, including time at the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn. It’s a serious commitment—and one that’s not for everyone.

If you’re looking for a way to contribute to public safety without that training or level of personal risk, there’s a huge range of unsworn police jobs available. Let’s take a look at them.

Entry-Level Civilian Jobs in the NSW Police Force

One of the most common entry points into unsworn police roles is through a police station admin position. These jobs are typically advertised under titles like General Administrative Support Officer or similar.

In these roles, you’ll help process important paperwork related to investigations, court matters, and bail conditions, while also supporting frontline officers with day-to-day administrative tasks. You may also work at the front counter of a police station, assisting members of the public who come in to report crimes, ask questions, or get help navigating police processes.

It’s a practical, hands-on way to start your career in the NSW Police Force without needing prior government experience. If you’ve worked in reception, admin, or customer service, this could be your way in.

Call Centre and Communications Roles

Another great pathway into unsworn police jobs is through PoliceLink—the call centre that takes non-urgent police assistance calls and some triple zero calls. You’ll respond to members of the public and either help them file reports or send assistance.

There’s also the Police Communications Group, which handles operational calls and coordinates multi-agency responses (think Fire, Ambulance, SES). These officers run the secure police radio network, directing units to where they’re needed in real time. This is a critical behind-the-scenes role that doesn’t require any previous government experience.

Specialist Civilian Jobs in the NSW Police Force

If you’ve got specific skills or experience, there are also more specialised unsworn police roles available. These include:

• Forensics or Scene of Crime Officer – collect and manage evidence at crime scenes
• Intelligence Analyst – assist investigations and crime prevention by analysing patterns and trends
• Emergency Management Officer – support training and coordination for emergency events across a police region

These jobs help police do their work more effectively—and they rely heavily on skills from outside government, especially in science, data, logistics, and communications.

Corporate and Support Jobs Behind the Scenes

Beyond frontline support roles, the NSW Police Force also employs civilians across its corporate services. This includes:

• Finance officers and analysts
• Human resources and rostering
• Executive assistants and program managers
• IT, logistics, and project support
• Even kennel attendants and pilots!

There are plenty of paths to grow into senior executive or strategy roles over time.

How to Apply for Unsworn Roles with the NSW Police Force

If you’re keen to start your civilian career in the NSW Police Force, you’ll need to get familiar with the government application process. Most unsworn police roles now use targeted questions as part of their selection process.

That means you’ll need to write short written responses that explain how your experience matches the key requirements of the role. These answers need to be clear, specific, and easy to scan—especially if you’ve never worked in government before.

To help with this, I’ve put together detailed application guides for a range of NSW Police unsworn roles. These include full example applications, including cover letters and target question responses, so you can see exactly how to showcase your experience.

Start Exploring Civilian Careers in the NSW Police Force

Whether you’re just getting started in your career or looking for a meaningful way to apply your existing skills, there’s a civilian pathway for you in the NSW Police Force. From frontline call takers to back-office analysts, unsworn police roles play a vital role in public safety.

Check out the guides below to get started—and if you need help tailoring your application, I’ve got support services available to make the process faster, easier, and more effective.