The largest NSW Police graduating class in 13 years has been sworn into service today, with NSW Premier Chris Minns welcoming the 314 new recruits to the state’s frontline.
The new officers of Class 366 – made up of 221 men and 93 women (aged between 19 and 59) – will be deployed to 57 Police Area Commands and Police Districts across the state. The cohort also includes 18 First Nations officers and officers who were born in 18 different countries.
“A massive congratulations to class 366, and welcome to the NSW Police Force,” said Premier Minns.
“On behalf of the people of NSW, I thank you for putting your hand up to serve and protect our communities.
“Policing is a tough and demanding profession, but it also offers extraordinary opportunities for a rewarding career.
“This record class shows our reforms are working – paying recruits to study, delivering a historic pay rise, and opening new pathways to serve regional NSW.”
The recruits will now begin 12 months of on-the-job training and will be deployed across:
- Central Metropolitan Region – 69
- Northern Region – 67
- North West Metropolitan Region – 63
- South West Metropolitan Region – 64
- Southern Region – 29
- Western Region – 22
Thirteen recruits are taking advantage of the Minns Labor Government’s Be A Cop In Your Hometown program – electing to serve in or near their hometown after attesting. This cohort is returning to the Mid North Coast PD, Coffs/Clarence PD, Oxley PD, Hunter Valley PD, Riverina PD and Murray River PD.
Class 366 has completed eight months of training (four months via distance education and four months of in-person training at Goulburn) and will now begin 12 months of on the job training as Probationary Constables.
“Every single one of these new recruits has shown a steadfast commitment to make our state a safer place. I wish them all a long, rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force,” said Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley.
“These recruits are going to where they’re needed most and are ready to hit the ground running and make a real difference in their communities.
“For many attesting today, becoming a police officer wouldn’t be possible without paid study. This historic reform is attracting not only more recruits, but a more diverse cohort with significant life experience – NSW is all the richer for it.
“The Minns Labor Government is working hard to get more boots on the ground. While there’s more to do, we have secured better pay, are paying recruits to train and have set up pathways for regional recruits to serve in or near their hometown and experienced officers to transfer to NSW.”
