The Western Australian Police Force has been strengthened by 56 new officers who have graduated from the Joondalup Police Academy this week (28 February).
The 47 men and nine women from Gold and Blue Squads have completed 28 weeks of rigorous training and are to begin their duties with front-line COVID-19 operations as part of the Border and Quarantine and Compliance and Assurance teams.
Both squads are diverse in composition with 17 graduates born overseas in countries such as Ireland, Canada, India, Brazil and Mexico. They range in age from 19 to 47 years, with an average age of 28.
Nine have culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and 10 can speak a second language.
The graduates also possess an assortment of employment backgrounds including an aircraft engineer, sales assistant, security guard, and occupations in the health, hospitality and mining sectors.
Four have worked for the WA Police Force in other roles, and 12 graduates have past military experience.
Minister for Police, Paul Papalia said police numbers continued to grow across the State thanks to an unprecedented expansion of the WA Police Force.
“It’s part of our commitment to ensure the Commissioner has the resources he needs to deploy to help keep the community safe,” Mr Papalia said.
The graduation ceremony included a presentation of Certificate of Service for two officers who had completed 48- and 39-year careers with the WA Police Force respectively.
