Thursday, 9 April 2020
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall confirms there will be four additional police officers working in this region from next Monday as newly-graduated officers from the Goulburn Police Academy’s Class 340 hit the streets.
Of the four Probationary Constables, two will be stationed at Inverell and the other two at Armidale. They now bring to 40 the number of new officers in the New England Police District since the beginning of last year.
Unfortunately, the 263 new recruits from Class 340, were unable to celebrate in the usual way due to the ongoing restrictions.
“In these singular times of COVID-19, the attestation parade for these latest recruits was a private occasion, without friends and family, nor the usual parade,” Mr Marshall said.
“I understand that the Commissioner Mick Fuller, along with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, will be making sure these recruits have a celebration fitting the occasion at a later date and when safe to do so.
“They are arriving in their communities at a very important time and will lend valuable support to their colleagues already out there working to keep us all safe.
“New England Police District continue to put downward pressure on crime with ongoing falls in crime rates across many communities, and these additional officers will only compliment an already strong force.”
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller said the latest intake of probationary constables will provide a valuable boost to police resources as the state faces the threat of COVID-19.
“I welcome our newest police officers from Class 340 who attest at a very significant time. They will hit the ground running, and I want them to know that I have their back,” he said.
Class 340 includes 177 men and 86 women. Some recruits entered the NSW Police Academy straight from school or university, while others left established professional careers and trades.
Thirty-one recruits were born overseas in countries including Italy, Afghanistan, USA, Thailand and Lebanon. Five recruits are Indigenous with two coming through the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program.
The NSW Government has invested $583 million to introduce 1,500 extra police over the next four years, the biggest investment in police for more than 30 years.”
For up to date and official COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information and advice, click on the link – nsw.gov.au/covid-19