194 Gladstone Street
South Melbourne
Expert Assessments by Former Police Psychologists
If you're applying to become a police officer (including Protective Services Officers (PSO’s) in Victoria), you may be required to undertake psychological testing or assessment as part of the recruitment process. Police agencies may also ask you to obtain additional psychological assessment or information for your application.
Depending on the jurisdiction, this may involve:
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Completing an additional assessment, e.g. if you have a childhood diagnosis of conditions such as Autism or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
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Getting a report from a Psychologist if you have experienced things like Depression, Anxiety or other conditions and/or you take medication
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Having a Psychologist interpret psychological testing results from the psychological testing you completed as part of the recruitment process.
At Boutique Psychology, our team includes former Police Psychologists with experience in police recruitment and who understand the unique demands of policing - and how to assess for them accurately, ethically and supportively.
We offer tailored psychological assessments for individuals applying to police forces across Australia.
Meet Dr Alex West
Dr Alex West is a Senior Psychologist, Board-Approved Supervisor, and former Chief Psychologist for Victoria Police (2011–2023). With over a decade of experience overseeing the psychological recruitment assessments, Dr West was instrumental in designing the psychological gateway for Victoria Police, including developing inherent psychological requirements, interview protocols, testing procedures, and assessment strategies. She also designed and implemented psychological testing and recruitment for specialist roles within policing.
Dr West has interpreted thousands of psychological assessments and understands exactly what police organisations are looking for in new recruits. Whether you need clarification around past diagnoses, assistance in interpreting testing results, or a comprehensive psychological report to support your application, Dr West offers unmatched expertise in the field.
Meet Candice Williams
Candice is an experienced Psychologist and former Police Psychologist for Victoria Police (2021-2025). She has significant experience working therapeutically with police, working with specialist policing units, and undertaking selection for specialist policing roles.
How We Can Help
Our team provides psychological assessments and reports tailored to:
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Interpretation of psychological testing results
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Mental health conditions that may impact operational duties
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Historical diagnoses (e.g. ADHD, Autism, Depression, Eating Disorders)
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Clarification and context for psychological concerns raised during recruitment
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Second opinions or independent psychological assessments
All assessments are conducted by registered psychologists with deep knowledge of the police role, the inherent requirements of policing and the recruitment process. We understand the high standards and specific criteria required, and we aim to make the process as clear, respectful and supportive as possible.
Recent Changes to Police Recruitment in Victoria
Victoria Police now requires that once you complete the psychological testing, you take the results to your doctor for interpretation. GPs and other medical doctors are not trained in psychological testing or police requirements, and the results of these tests must be interpreted by a registered psychologist with training and experience in their use. The accuracy of interpretation is critical to progressing through the recruitment process
Dr West and the team at Boutique Psychology are fully qualified to interpret psychological testing results, experienced in the tests used by different police jurisdictions, and provide the type of reporting police recruitment teams require.
Why Choose Boutique Psychology?
Specialist Expertise
Assessments are completed by psychologists with direct experience in police psychology and recruitment
Trusted Knowledge
Reports are tailored to the needs of police agencies and written in line with current requirements
Individual Approach
We don’t apply a one-size-fits-all model, but tailor our assessments to your specific needs, which means our fees are competitive, without compromising quality or clarity.
Key Things to Know Before Booking
First step: All assessments begin with a 1.5–2 hour clinical interview, payable at the time of booking.
Fees: At booking, we’ll give you a fee range for the full assessment. After your interview, you’ll receive a tailored quote with the exact fee. This reflects both what came out of the interview and what the police agency requires, including any extra testing or areas we need to cover in the report.
No obligation: You don’t have to continue beyond the clinical interview. If you decide not to go ahead, no further charges apply.
Reports: Your report reflects the objective findings of the assessment, combined with our expertise. Reports directly address the referral questions from the agency, but they are not a guarantee of entry into the police force.
Decisions: The final decision about your suitability rests solely with the police agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information do I need to give you?
Any documents you have received from the policing agency you are applying to are helpful to send early on. This helps us to understand exactly what is being asked for, so we can provide you with the most accurate information about the type of assessment needed and the associated fees.
Timeframes
We know that recruitment assessments are time-sensitive. We will work with you to complete them (along with providing the report) in a timely manner to ensure you stay within your recruitment timeframes.
What if I am not in Victoria?
We can complete assessments online, so all you need is access to a computer.
Important to Know
Our role is to provide a thorough and ethical psychological assessment, based on an accurate interpretation of your clinical history and testing results. Your report will reflect the objective findings of that process, combined with our specialist expertise in police recruitment and psychological assessment.
It is important to understand that the assessment is not a guarantee of entry into the police force. The decision about whether you progress in recruitment rests solely with the police agency. While assessment findings may sometimes seem different to how you see yourself, or at times be unexpected, what you are engaging us for is a professional and transparent assessment process, along with a report that you can confidently provide as part of your application.