314 police recruits – the largest class in 13 years – will be sworn into the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) today – bolstering frontline policing right across the state.
The Minns Labor Government will officially welcome Class 366 to the NSWPF this morning as they attest at the Goulburn Police Academy.
Today’s record-breaking class is clear proof that the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to police pay, and recruitment are working.
While there is more to do, these results show we are making inroads to turning around recruitment and rebuilding the NSWPF after 12 years of the Liberals unfair wages cap.
The new officers will be deployed to 57 Police Area Commands and Police Districts across the state, strengthening the NSWPF’s capability to fight crime and keep our communities safe. This includes 5 officers for Hunter Valley Police District (Hunter Valley PD) and 3 police officers for Lake Macquarie Police District (Lake Macquarie PD). These officers will hit the ground running on Monday, bringing the total number of additional officers in our region since the 2023 election to 36 officers for Hunter Valley PD and 26 officers for Lake Macquarie PD.
Class 366 is made up of 221 men and 93 women (aged between 19 and 59). The cohort also includes 18 First Nations officers and officers who were born in 18 different countries.
The recruits will now begin 12 months of on-the-job training and will be deployed across:
- Central Metropolitan Region – 69
- Northern Region – 67
- North West Metropolitan Region – 63
- South West Metropolitan Region – 64
- Southern Region – 29
- Western Region – 22
13 recruits are taking advantage of the Minns Labor Government’s Be A Cop In Your Hometown program – electing to serve in or near their hometown after attesting.
This cohort is returning to the Mid North Coast PD, Coffs/Clarence PD, Oxley PD, Hunter Valley PD, Riverina PD and Murray River PD.
Strong local policing is particularly important in regional and rural NSW, where officers are trusted community figures and often the first point of support in times of crisis.
Class 366 has completed eight months of training (four months via distance education and four months of in-person training at Goulburn) and will now begin 12 months of on the job training as Probationary Constables.
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. Thousands of experienced officers left the force as a result.
We are working hard to rebuild the NSWPF and create safer communities. While there is more to do, that work includes:
- Delivering a once-in-a-generation pay rise for police officers
- Establishing an historic scheme to pay recruits to train, resulting in a 72% increase in
applications to join the NSWPF - Establishing the Be a Cop In Your Hometown program
- Establishing the Professional Mobility Program to incentivise experienced officers from
interstate and New Zealand to join the NSWPF
Premier, Chris Minns said:
“A massive congratulations to class 366, and welcome to the NSW Police Force.”
“On behalf of the people of NSW, I thank you for putting your hand up to serve and protect our communities.”
“Policing is a tough and demanding profession, but it also offers extraordinary opportunities for a rewarding career.”
“This record class shows our reforms are working – paying recruits to study, delivering a historic pay rise, and opening new pathways to serve regional NSW.”
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:
“Each of the 314 new recruits has shown a steadfast commitment to make our state a safer place. I wish them all a long, rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force.”
“These recruits are going to where they’re needed most and are ready to hit the ground running and make a real difference in their communities.”
“For many attesting today, becoming a police officer wouldn’t be possible without paid study. This historic reform is attracting not only more recruits, but a more diverse cohort with significant life experience – NSW is all the richer for it.”
“The Minns Labor Government is working hard to get more boots on the ground. While there’s more to do, we have secured better pay, are paying recruits to train and have set up pathways for regional recruits to serve in or near their hometown and experienced officers to transfer to NSW.”
State Member for the Electorate of Cessnock, Clayton Barr said:
“I warmly welcome these new recruits to the area. They will play an important role in delivering safer streets and stronger communities.”
“I’m grateful for their decision to put on the uniform and dedicate themselves to serving and protecting the people across the Electorate.”
“I look forward to supporting them in their work and seeing the contribution they’ll make to our community.”