BOOST TO FRONTLINE POLICE OFFICERS ACROSS NSW

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott welcomed 269 new recruits to the NSW Police Force today during a graduation ceremony for Class 388 in Goulburn.

Nineteen of the new recruits are from an Indigenous background, including five who have come through the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) Program to boost Aboriginal Australians in the NSW Police Force.

Mr Elliott said the State would be a safer place with the new recruits assigned to local Police Commands across NSW.

"I want to welcome each and every attesting recruit to the police family, and pay particular mention to the nineteen Indigenous new recruits who will become strong leaders in their communities," Mr Elliott said.

"The NSW Liberals & Nationals have invested $583 million to introduce 1500 extra police over the next four years to enhance community safety across NSW.

"This is the biggest investment in police for more than 30 years."

NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller said the attestation was an important milestone for recruits.

"Today is a day to celebrate. Our newest recruits have worked extremely hard to be standing on the parade ground," Commissioner Fuller said.

"Next week they will discover the great sense of pride and responsibility that comes from donning the blue uniform. I welcome them to the NSW Police Force and thank them for their commitment to preventing and disrupting crime."

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman also attended the graduation that included 177 men and 92 women. Twenty-nine recruits were born overseas in countries including Iraq, Croatia and Wales. 

Following the event, Mr Elliott and Ms Tuckerman joined local SES volunteers in Goulburn to present them with grant for a sand storage bunker to improve their operational response during flood and storm operations.