NSW Police’s ‘thin blue line’ took a step towards becoming a little thicker last week when 269 new probationary constables marched on the Police Academy in Goulburn to begin 12 months of on-the-job training.
NSW Police Commissioner, Mick Fuller was joined by Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, to inspect the force’s new additions on the parade ground.
Commissioner Fuller welcomed ‘Class 338’ to the ‘police family’ saying the new starters would join their Commands this week, after months of training away from their homes and families.
He said the class included 177 policemen and 92 policewomen who would now complete 12 months on-the-job training and study for an Associate Degree in Policing Practice by distance education with Charles Sturt University before being confirmed to the rank of Constable.
Mr Elliott said 19 of the new probationary constables were from an Indigenous background, including five who had come through the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) Program, tasked to boost Aboriginal Australians in the NSW Police Force.
Mr Elliott said the State would be a safer place with the new recruits assigned to local Police Commands across NSW.
He said the ceremony at Goulburn also saw retiring officers Assistant Commissioner Mark Jenkins, Detective Superintendent Mark Wright, Superintendent Greg Peters, Detective Chief Inspector Robert Adam and Chief Inspector David Kay farewelled after 185 years combined service with the NSW Police Force.