Today, the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) proudly welcomes 298 new Probationary Constables, marking a historic moment as the largest class to graduate in a decade.
This is an important step in the Minns Labor Government’s long-term plan to rebuild our essential services, including addressing the recruitment and retention crisis of frontline workers.
The graduation of this record-breaking class not only strengthens the NSWPF but also ensures the safety and security of communities across New South Wales.
By prioritising the recruitment of highly skilled individuals, the Minns Government is laying the foundation for a more robust and responsive police force – one that reflects the growing needs of a modern and dynamic New South Wales.
Class 364 will attest at the Goulburn Police Academy after completing eight months of training in the Constable Education Program (CEP).
The program includes four months of distance learning followed by four months of intensive training at the Academy.
Following their graduation, the recruits will embark on 12 months of on-the-job training and will be deployed across metropolitan and regional communities from Monday:
- Central Metropolitan Region – 64
- Northwest Metropolitan Region – 59
- Northern Region – 57
- Southwest Metropolitan Region – 67
- Southern Region – 24
- Western Region – 27
Class 364 comprises of 218 men and 80 women aged between 18 and 52, with five recruits receiving awards for outstanding academic or physical achievements.
This is the third class to benefit from the NSW Government’s paid study allowance during their training at the Academy.
The Minns Labor Government’s work to support NSW Police officers and address the chronic shortage of police officers presided over by the former Liberal National Government has also included:
- abolishing the wages cap;
- setting up a historic new scheme to pay students to study to become an officer, which has already seen applications surge by 50 per cent over the previous year; and
- two recently announced programs specifically aimed at attracting both experienced officers and regional recruits.
Additionally, the Police Mobility Program, which welcomes officers from other jurisdictions, has already resulted in almost 30 applications, showcasing its success in attracting experienced talent to the NSW Police Force.
Complementing this initiative, the recent acceptance of the Minns Labor Government’s historic four-year pay agreement, which includes highly competitive salaries, further demonstrates the Government’s commitment to backing the NSWPF.
Looking ahead to 2025, more than 1,000 recruits are expected to attest, further strengthening the ranks of the NSWPF.
While progress has been made, the journey is far from over, and the NSW Government remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving more.
The Minns Labor Government was elected with a mandate to rebuild public services and reinvest in our front-line workforce and ensure we provide support when people in NSW need it most.
It’s part of our plan to build a better NSW.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“Congratulations to Class 364, who today begin their journey in one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers there are.
“Today is the combination of eight months of hard work and training. And it’s also the beginning of an incredibly exciting career in New South Wales Police Force.
“While we still have more to do, the fact this is the largest class in a decade shows that the programs we have implemented are working.”
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:
“This is a monumental day for the NSW Police. Class 364 is the largest attesting class in a decade – strong evidence the tide is turning on recruitment. Next year is set to be even bigger, with more than 1,000 recruits attesting.
“The NSW Government backs our police to the hilt. We are focused on retaining experienced officers and recruiting new ones which is why we’ve secured a historic pay deal, we’re paying recruits to train and offering recruits from the bush a pathway to work in or near their hometown after attesting.
“Congratulations to Class 364. Today marks the start of what I hope is a long, rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force.”
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM said:
“I want to congratulate our newest 298 probationary constables for demonstrating the resilience and determination needed to succeed in the NSW Police Force.
“The graduation of Class 364, the largest in 10 years, is a significant milestone in rebuilding our organisation and reflects the hard work of everyone involved.
“With application numbers on the rise, I look forward to welcoming even larger classes in 2025 as we continue strengthening our ranks.”