LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin today welcomed 22 new probationary constables deployed to the three Police Districts, boosting their capability to keep local communities safe across the Electorate of Lismore and surrounds.
Ms Saffin confirmed eight new recruits for the Richmond Police District, five for the Tweed/Byron Police District and nine for the New England Police District from Class 369, the largest attesting class in the NSW Police Force for 14 years.
The total number of new police recruits since the Minns Labor Government came to office is 60 for the Richmond PD, 55 for the Tweed-Byron PD and 61 for the New England PD, according to Ms Saffin.
Ms Saffin said Class 369 is the fifth consecutive class to set a new recruitment record, reflecting the Government’s efforts to rebuild the NSW Police Force and put more officers on the ground. The new officers were sworn in last Friday before they started 12 months of on-the-job training at their new home stations today.
NSW Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley also announced that an additional class will be added this year, moving from three to four classes a year and giving more people the opportunity to join the ranks.
The former Liberal-National Government had no plan for police recruitment, no plan for police retention and sent wages backwards for over a decade. Thousands of experienced officers left as a result.
The Minns Labor Government is turning the tide on police recruitment by:
- Delivering a once-in-a-generation pay rise for police officers
- Paying recruits to train at the Goulburn Police Academy, resulting in a 70 per cent increase in applications to join the NSWPF
- Establishing the ‘Be a Cop In Your Hometown’ program
- Establishing the Professional Mobility Program to attract experienced officers from interstate and New Zealand
- Establishing the Cadet Traineeship Program to create a new early pathway into policing
- Establishing the Elite Athlete Program
- Establishing the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Command to support officers across their careers.
Photo caption: Richmond District Police Commander Dave Roptell APM welcomes two of three probationary constables who will be stationed at Lismore Police Station. Another three are at Ballina Police Station and two more are at Casino Police Station. With them are Electorate Officer and former detective sergeant Ted Bassingthwaighte representing State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, who was in Sydney on Ministerial business.
