NSW Police’s latest record number of new constables is due to a new paid study scheme, the state government says. Photo: Max/Pixabay
A new paid study scheme to attract more recruits to the NSW Police Force is already paying off with record graduations and applications.
On Friday, 302 new probationary constables graduated from the Goulburn Police Academy and started work across NSW yesterday (Monday).
The Government announced that the new constables were part of its elite athlete recruitment pilot program in which they were paid to learn.
Friday’s graduating class was the largest in 11 years, the government says.
Applications surged by 70 per cent (an extra 3900) over the previous year after the program was launched in November 2023.
NSW Premier Chris Minns says they now have three specific plans in place to address a police recruitment crisis.
“This is the latest class to benefit from our paid study program, we delivered police a historic pay rise, and we have launched initiatives to get cops back to the bush,” he says.
A salary cap has been abolished and two new programs launched to recruit experienced officers and regional recruits, he adds.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley says the new class size is due to the paid study program.
“For many … becoming a police officer wouldn’t be possible without paid study,” she says.
“The new officers will be deployed where they are needed the most, providing much-needed support for hard-working police already on the frontline.”
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM says Friday’s class marks “a major turning point” in police recruitment.
“Based on the weekly average, the number of applications increased by 70 per cent since November 2023 when I announced the new payment scheme,” Webb says.
“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 per cent increase from female applicants.”
DEPLOYMENT
The recruits will now begin 12 months of on-the-job training and will be deployed across
inner and coastal Sydney (75), northwest Sydney (66), southwest Sydney (63), northern NSW (45), southern NSW (26) and western NSW (27).
The graduating class comprised of 221 men, 81 women and six dogs.
Eight probationary constables will be stationed in or near their hometown under a new initiative.
Another NSW police program to attract out-of-state recruits has attracted 94 applications from other states, territories and New Zealand.
