A record-breaking number of 353 probationary constables have graduated from the NSW Police Academy as part of Class 369. This milestone marks the largest class to attest in 14 years.
Nine Class 369 graduates are allocated to North Shore Police Area Command, and 10 to Northern Beaches Police Area Command. The new recruits started their first day at their allocated police stations on Monday and will receive further development opportunities over the next 12 months.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley emphasised the importance of the record-breaking number of graduates who will be deployed to communities across the state.
“We inherited a police workforce that was going backwards,” Minister Catley said.
“Experienced officers were leaving in droves, and not enough were being recruited.
“For three and a half years, we have worked every single day to rebuild the NSW Police, and a 70 per cent increase in applications and consecutive record-breaking attesting classes are prime examples of that work being done.”
Having been sworn in as probationary constables, over the course of the next year, they will complete on-the-job training and study by distance education. Following completion, they will officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice and be confirmed to the rank of Constable.
42 probationary constables will also have access to the initiative Be a Cop in Your Home Town, enabling successful applicants to return to work in the community they live in.
