Health conditions that could impact your suitability to become a police officer
There are some health conditions that could impact your medical suitability assessment. It is important to declare these conditions openly and honestly.
You are expected to declare the following:
- all your current health conditions (even if they seem minor to you)
- this includes any and all medical and psychological conditions
- the dates you started experiencing these conditions, limitations or restrictions, treatment plans and the prognosis
- past medical and psychological history (include health conditions that required treatment or medication or that caused you any limitations or restrictions)
- the dates you started experiencing these conditions, limitations and restrictions, treatment plans and the prognosis
- use of medications, supplements and substances (prescription and otherwise)
- the dates you start using these and why
- any requirements for medical aids (for example, orthotics, braces, support animals) at the time of the medical assessment
If you don't declare your full medical and psychological history, it could be seen as dishonest and may impact your success in the application process. It's also crucial to declare any health changes during the recruiting process before you start the Cadet Training Program at Depot, as well as any issues that may emerge during training.
We recommend that you take the opportunity to self-assess based on known medical and psychological conditions that may affect your fitness for duty.
Review a list of health conditions that could cause restrictions, limitations, or both, to your ability to perform essential police officer duties.
Respiratory disease
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Emphysema
Cardiovascular conditions
- High blood pressure
- Ischemic heart disease
- Myocardial infarction
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Aortic aneurysm
- Congestive heart failure
- Cardiac arrhythmia, including use of pacemaker
- Valvular heart disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Peripheral vascular disease
Neurological conditions
- Seizure disorders and epilepsy (must be seizure free for at least 5 years)
- Narcolepsy
- Sleep apnea and other disturbances of consciousness
- Vestibular disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Disorders of coordination and muscle control
- Head injury
- Post traumatic conditions
- Intracranial tumour
Endocrine conditions
- Diabetes mellitus
- Thyroid disease
- Cushing's disease
- Addison's disease
- Pheochromocytoma
Musculoskeletal conditions
- Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
- Disease of the spine
- Significant joint dysfunction with unstable ligament or tear such as shoulder dislocation or ligamentous tears
- Limb amputation
Abdominal conditions
- Inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney diseases such as kidney stone or kidney failure requiring dialysis
- Disease of the liver such as cirrhosis
Eye or ear conditions
- Ocular disorders associated with impaired visual function, including distant visual acuity, field of vision and colour vision
- Hearing impairment such as hearing acuity, Meniere's disease and benign positional vertigo
Hematologic conditions
- Bleeding disorders
- Clotting disorders including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms
- The use of anti-coagulation medications may pose a risk to occupational policing and therefore may be disqualifying
Immunologic, allergic, oncologic and infectious conditions
- Immune disorder with immunocompromised state
- Cancer
- Life threatening allergies
- Chronic and/or life-threatening infectious disease
Psychological, psychiatric or mental health conditions
- Mood (affective) disorders including depression, mania, bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders including panic disorder, phobia
- Stress related disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder
- Psychotic disorders including schizophrenia and delusional disorder
- Cognitive disorders including acquired brain injury and dementia
- Personality disorders
- Substance use and addictive disorders
- ADHD (neurodevelopmental disorders including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Other mental health disorders associated with significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functioning, including somatoform disorder, and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)
Other health conditions
There are also other chronic or medical conditions that could cause functional impairment and may interfere with your ability to perform policing duties. Unique conditions will be assessed to determine your suitability.
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