Welcoming the new Police recruits today, Chief Inspector Rowan O’Brien, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Superintendent Scott Tanner, Probationary Constables Mekalah Dillon, Isabelle Henderson and Luke Kearney and Inspector Roger Best today at Armidale Police Station.
Monday, 27 August 2018
THREE newly-graduated police officers were welcomed to the region by Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall as they reported for their first day of duty with the New England Police District today.
The three Probationary Constables – Mekalah Dillon, Isabelle Henderson and Luke Kearney – form part of the 246-strong Class 334, and will bring to 20 the number of new police recruits in the New England Police District over the past two years.
Mr Marshall said the new officers will be wonderful additions to local police ‘family’, with two being stationed at Inverell and one at Armidale, but also to the wider community, and acknowledged their close ties to this region.
“I was honoured to meet the three new officers today and thrilled to learn that they share a regional background, hailing from Uralla, Guyra and Gloucester,” he said.
“They will be warmly welcomed by the vast majority of the wider community and no doubt their families will be immensely proud of their new careers.
“Becoming a sworn police officer is a tremendous honour, however it also comes with enormous challenges and I am confident that Constables Dillon, Henderson and Kearney, will meet these with professionalism and dedication.
“As a community, we turn to the police in our worst hour and expect them to stand in harm’s way to prevent and disrupt criminal activity.
“I commend our newest officers on making the decision to put the community’s safety above their own and joining one of the proudest organisations in the state.”
Minister for Police Troy Grant said the NSW Government committed to increasing the authorised strength of the NSW Police Force to a record 16,795 – a goal that has been achieved.
“The security and safety of the people of NSW is a top priority for this Government and these new Probationary Officers will be a great asset in helping to identify, disrupt and combat crime in the local community,” Mr Grant said.
“I am proud to welcome the newest members to the NSW Police family and I wish them the best for their future policing career.”