Record Police Recruits Join Frontline in New Program
These new officers will help bolster the force’s frontline capabilities by providing more boots on the ground to fight crime and keep our communities safe.
Today, the Minns Labor Government is also announcing a new recruitment initiative – the Elite Athlete Recruitment Pilot Program – designed to attract top-performing athletes to the NSWPF.
Today’s attestation is a key milestone in the Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the force and addressing recruitment and retention issues following 12 years of neglect by the former Liberal-National Government.
Class 365 attests after successfully completing eight months in the Constable Education Program – four months of distance education and four months of rigorous, hands-on training at the Goulburn Police Academy.
The recruits will now begin 12 months of on-the-job training and will be deployed across:
- Central Metropolitan Region – 75
- Northwest Metropolitan Region – 66
- Northern Region – 45
- Southwest Metropolitan Region – 63
- Southern Region – 26
- Western Region – 27
Class 365 is made up of 221 men and 81 women. Eight recruits are receiving awards for outstanding academic or physical achievements.
Six dogs from the NSWPF Dog Unit will also be graduating, highlighting the important role our four-legged officers play in supporting frontline police work.
Class 365 received payment to train at the academy, following the Minns Labor Government’s historic announcement to pay recruits to train.
Eight Probationary Constables will also benefit from the new You Should Be a Cop in your Hometown initiative and are now returning to, or near, their hometown to start work.
The Minns Labor Government’s work to support the NSW Police Force and address the chronic shortage of police officers presided over by the former Liberal National Government has also included:
- abolishing the wages cap
- setting up a historic new scheme to pay students to study to become an officer, which has already seen applications surge by 70 per cent over the previous year
- two recently announced programs specifically aimed at attracting both experienced officers and regional recruits.
Since we announced paid study, more than 3,900 people have applied to join the NSWPF, a 70 per cent increase compared to before this announcement.
Additionally, the Police Mobility Program, which welcomes officers from other jurisdictions, has already resulted in 94 applications, showcasing its success in attracting experienced officers from other Australian states, territories and New Zealand.
We have also secured a historic pay rise for officers which puts them among the best paid in the country.
Today’s announcement of the Elite Athlete Recruitment Pilot Program will further assist to attract a more diverse range of recruits.
The program is designed to attract top-performing athletes and provide them with a flexible, supported pathway into policing while continuing their athletic careers.
The program acknowledges traits athletes possess are well aligned with policing, including discipline, resilience and teamwork.
While strong progress has been made in the way of recruitment and retention, the work is far from done and the NSW Government remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving more.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“To the around three-hundred new recruits: a big, warm welcome to the NSW Police Force. Thank you for putting yourself forward to protect the NSW community.
“Our Government’s number one priority is community safety, and our NSW police are on the frontline every day.
“This is the latest class to benefit from our paid study program, we have delivered police a historic pay rise, and we have launched initiatives to get cops back to the bush.
“While there is more work to do, we are turning around the police recruitment crisis left by the Nationals and Liberals.”
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
“We are so proud of Class 365 as they begin what we hope is a rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force. These Probationary Constables are stepping up with the integrity, courage and commitment NSW communities depend on.
“For many attesting today, becoming a police officer wouldn’t be possible without paid study. This landmark recruitment reform has given a diverse new cohort the opportunity to join the best police force in the country and our community is all the richer for it.
“The new officers will be deployed where they are needed the most, providing much-needed support for the hardworking police already on the frontline.
“We want to give more people the opportunity to join the NSW Police so I am pleased to announce the Elite Athlete Program to help achieve this.
“The NSW Labor Government backs our police every step of the way. We wish Class 365 all the best as they head out into the field – ready to serve and protect communities right across NSW.”
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM said:
“This class demonstrates a major turning point in recruitment for the NSW Police Force.
“It’s the biggest class in 11 years with more than 300 recruits marching off the parade ground, which is a milestone in our campaign to boost the ranks.
“Based on the weekly average, the number of applications has increased by 70% since November 2023 when I announced the new payment scheme for all recruits.
“Many of our new probationary officers would not be here today to reach their dream of becoming a police officer without that wage.
“Since November 2023, we have seen a 33% increase from female applicants which is a critical addition to the force.”
https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/record-breaking-number-of-police-recruits-set-to-join-frontline-as-new-recruitment-program-announced