(Front): Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley and Superintendent Chad Gillies. (Centre): Probationary Constable’s, Luke Webster, Blake Bailey, Kat Gough and Sam Christian. (Back): Member for Wyong, David Harris, and Member for The Entrance, David Mehan.

11 December 2024

 

THE swearing in of the Probationary Constables was an important step in the State Government’s long-term plan to rebuild essential services, including addressing the recruitment and retention crisis of frontline workers.

 

Four new Probationary Constables have been allocated to the Tuggerah Lakes Police District. This District covers most of The Entrance electorate.

 

They will undertake general duties police work and gain valuable experience working alongside their seasoned colleagues.

 

The graduation of this record-breaking class not only strengthens the NSWPF but also ensures the safety and security of communities across New South Wales.

 

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said, "This is a monumental day for the NSW Police. Class 364 is the largest attesting class in a decade – strong evidence the tide is turning on recruitment. Next year is set to be even bigger, with more than 1,000 recruits attesting.

 

“The NSW Government backs our police to the hilt. We are focused on retaining experienced officers and recruiting new ones which is why we’ve secured a historic pay deal, we’re paying recruits to train and offering recruits from the bush a pathway to work in or near their hometown after attesting.

 

“Congratulations to Class 364. Today marks the start of what I hope is a long, rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force."

 

By prioritising the recruitment of highly skilled individuals, the State Government is laying the foundation for a more robust and responsive police force - one that reflects the growing needs of a modern and dynamic New South Wales.

 

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan said, “I welcome this increase in police numbers which underlines Labor’s commitment to rebuilding our Police Force both across NSW and the Central Coast.”

 

Class 364 will attest at the Goulburn Police Academy after completing eight months of training in the Constable Education Program (CEP).

 

The program includes four months of distance learning followed by four months of intensive training at the Academy.

 

Following their graduation, the recruits will embark on 12 months of on-the-job training and will be deployed across metropolitan and regional communities from Monday.

 

Class 364 comprises 218 men and 80 women aged between 18 and 52, with five recruits receiving awards for outstanding academic or physical achievements.

 

This is the third class to benefit from the NSW Government’s paid study allowance during their training at the Academy.

 

The State Government’s work to support NSW Police officers 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 50 per cent over the previous year; and

 

*two recently announced programs specifically aimed at attracting both experienced officers and regional recruits.

 

Additionally, the Police Mobility Program, which welcomes officers from other jurisdictions, has already resulted in almost 30 applications, showcasing its success in attracting experienced talent to the NSW Police Force.

 

Complementing this initiative, the recent acceptance of the State Government’s historic four-year pay agreement, which includes highly competitive salaries, further demonstrates the Government’s commitment to backing the NSWPF.

 

Looking ahead to 2025, more than 1,000 recruits are expected to attest, further strengthening the ranks of the NSWPF.

 

While progress has been made, the journey is far from over, and the NSW Government remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving more.

 

The current Labor Government was elected with a mandate to rebuild public services and reinvest in our front-line workforce and ensure to provide support when people in NSW need it most.

 

It’s part of their plan to build a better NSW.

Name (First & Last):

Email:

Submitting Form...

The server encountered an error.

Subscription received.

SUBSCRIBE