The Minns Labor Government is delivering 341 new police recruits to help make NSW safer with the largest class in 13 years attesting at the Goulburn Police Academy today.
Class 367 is the third record-breaking class to attest in 2025, proof that the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to police pay and recruitment are making inroads to rebuild the NSWPF after 12 years of neglect by the former Liberal-National Government.
Class 367 will be deployed to 57 Police Area Commands and Police Districts, serving as General Duties officers and strengthening the NSWPF’s capability to fight crime and keep the community safe. This includes 8 officers for Electorate of Cessnock.
These officers will hit the ground running on Monday, bringing the total number of additional officers in our region since the 2023 election to 41 in Hunter Valley Police District and 29 in Lake Macquarie Police District.
Class 367 is made up of 248 men and 93 women, aged between 19 and 54. The cohort also includes 14 First Nations officers and officers who were born in 19 different countries.
The recruits will now begin 12 months of on-the-job training and will be deployed across:
- Central Metropolitan Region – 77
- Northern Region – 65
- North West Metropolitan Region – 74
- South West Metropolitan Region – 65
- Southern Region – 30
- Western Region – 30
Class 367 not only includes recruits that applied directly after finishing their HSC, but also from a wide range of vocations including hospitality, plumbing and mechanics.
Policing works best when it reflects the community it serves and today’s class shows exactly that. Diverse in age, culture and life experience.
Today’s class also includes 50 officers from regional communities who have elected to serve in or near their hometown after attesting, taking advantage of the Minns Labor Government’s Be A Cop In Your Hometown program and bolstering regional policing resources.
The former Liberal-National Government had no plan for police recruitment, no plan for police retention and sent wages backwards for more than a decade with its unfair wages cap. Thousands of experienced officers left the force as a result.
Since the Minns Labor Government delivered a once-in-a-generation pay rise for police in November 2024, we have seen an additional 1,255 new recruits join the force. That is more than double the recruits from the previous 12-month period.
We are continuing to work hard to rebuild the NSWPF and create safer communities through:
- Establishing an historic scheme to pay recruits to train, resulting in a 70% increase in applications to join the NSWPF.
- Establishing the Be a Cop In Your Hometown program to give regional recruits the opportunity to serve in or near their hometown after attesting.
- Establishing the Professional Mobility Program to incentivise experienced officers from interstate and New Zealand to join.
- Launching the new Cadet Traineeship Program to give young, aspiring officers a pathway into the NSWPF.
- Establishing the Health Safety and Wellbeing Command to support existing officers to have long, healthy and rewarding careers with the NSWPF.
While we’ve made progress, there is more to do and we’ll continue working hard to rebuild the NSW Police Force and deliver a safer NSW for all.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
“Congratulations Class 367 – today marks the end of your training at the Goulburn Police Academy but the beginning of your responsibility to NSW.
“Policing is an incredibly rewarding yet challenging career and each one of today’s 341 recruits is stepping up with integrity, professionalism and dedication.
“Class 367 is proof that the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to rebuild the NSWPF are working.
“We are paying recruits to train, offering pathways to serve in or near their regional hometown after attesting and backing them every step of the way – there’s never been a better time to join the NSW Police Force.”
State Member for the Electorate of Cessnock Clayton Barr said:
“Today’s attestation is another sign that the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to rebuild the NSW Police Force are working, and I warmly welcome these new recruits to the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie regions.”
“These officers are part of the largest police class in 13 years, and they’ll play an important role in strengthening frontline policing and delivering safer communities across the Cessnock electorate.”
“I’m grateful for their decision to put on the uniform and serve with integrity and dedication. I look forward to supporting them in their work and seeing the contribution they’ll make to our community.”