NSW POLICE GRADUATES IMPACTED BY PANDEMIC HONOURED WITH SPECIAL CEREMONY

NSW has welcomed 1,000 new police officers at a special ceremony paying tribute to the ‘Classes of 2020’, who joined the Police Force to protect our State during the catastrophic bushfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NSW Police Force Attestation Parade was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground today to officially welcome four classes of graduating officers in front of friends and family members.
The ceremony also recognised the work of the other emergency services during 2020, including NSW Health, Ambulance NSW, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and the Australian Defence Force.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Police Force, alongside our other emergency services, has played a pivotal role in protecting our State.
“Every member of the NSW Police Force deserves our State’s greatest thanks after a year that saw Police play an unprecedented role in keeping our community safe,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“On behalf of the State, congratulations to our newest recruits and thank you to our police officers and emergency service workers for their incredible effort over 2020.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott welcomed the new recruits and said the NSW Government is committed to supporting them throughout their careers.
“Our Police cadets have faced exceptional challenges this year, but they have shown they can overcome difficult circumstances to complete their training, and they will now use the same resilience to push them forward in their new careers,” Mr Elliott said.
“Police put their lives on the line every day to protect our community and I thank and congratulate each and every one of these officers for choosing to join the Force, I wish them all a long and successful career.”
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller APM said the ‘Classes of 2020’ attestation ceremony acknowledges the efforts of all serving officers over the course of this year.
“It has been a challenging year for NSW and Police have taken on an extraordinary role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic threat, alongside the other critical issues we have faced this year,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“I am proud to be able to honour our newest recruits and all of the ‘Classes of 2020’ recruits in this official parade – an unprecedented and significant event.”
The NSW Government has committed $583 million to introduce 1500 extra Police over four years and recently announced a $60 million upgrade to Goulburn Police Academy.