The NSW Police Force will welcome 275 new probationary constables to its ranks at the Police Academy in Goulburn today (Friday 13 December 2019).
'Class 339' includes 182 policemen and 93 policewomen who will complete 12 months on-the-job training and study of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice by distance education with Charles Sturt University before being confirmed to the rank of constable.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM will be joined by Governor of NSW, Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AO GC, and New Zealand High Commissioner, Her Excellency, The Honourable Dame Annette King, to inspect the new recruits on the parade ground.
Commissioner Fuller said the latest probationary constables will boost police resources as the busy summer months commence.
"Our newest police officers from Class 339 will hit the ground running this December, with Christmas and New Year celebrations only a few weeks away," Commissioner Fuller said.
"As they start their new career, they bring life experience, enthusiasm and the skills they have gained in training at the Police Academy.
"They are a welcome addition to police area commands and police districts across the state and to the community of New South Wales," Commissioner Fuller said.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott MP, congratulated the new recruits on their dedication and hard work as they embark on their chosen career in policing.
"These officers can be assured that they have the full support of this Government as they step into law enforcement and in serving the community," Mr Elliott said.
The ceremony will also see retiring officers Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace APM, Superintendent Darryl Tuck, Superintendent Wayne Cox APM, Detective Chief Inspector John Maricic APM, and Chief Inspector Stephen Hudson farewelled after nearly 180 years combined service with the NSW Police Force.
RETIRING OFFICERS BIO
Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace APM
36 years of distinguished service
Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace APM joined the NSW Police Force in 1983 and was appointed to No. 27 Division at Blacktown Police Station.
Following the investigation into the murder of Anita Cobby, Det Supt Wallace commenced criminal investigation training and was designated as a Detective in 1989. Two years later, she transferred to Cabramatta where she remained until she was promoted to Detective Sergeant in 1995. In this role Det Supt Wallace was the officer in charge of the Special Operations Groups, which included the Cabramatta Gangs Squad.
During her career, Det Supt Wallace also performed duties as part of the Special Crime and Internal Affairs Command, before returning to Cabramatta Local Area Command as Chief Inspector and Crime Manager. In 2003, she transferred to the State Crime Command and was attached to the South East Asian Crime Squad. Two years later she was promoted to Detective Superintendent and became the squad Commander.
Det Supt Wallace has been the Commander of a number of squads at State Crime Command, including the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (2008-2014), and the Gangs Squad and Strike Force Raptor (2014-2017). In 2017, the Gangs Squad and the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad merged and became known as the Criminal Groups Squad and Strike Force Raptor. Det Supt Wallace remained as the Commander until her retirement today.
During her distinguished service, Detective Superintendent Wallace was awarded the Australian Police Medal, National Police Service Medal, National Media 1st clasp, and NSW Police Medal 4th clasp.
Superintendent Darryl Tuck
33 years of distinguished service
Superintendent Darryl Tuck joined the NSW Police Force as a trainee in 1986 and commenced general duties as a Probationary Constable at Flemington.
During his career Superintendent Tuck performed general duties at Flemington Patrol, Auburn, Bankstown Foot Patrol, Kogarah and Rockdale Police Stations. In 1990, he commenced duty in the area of forensic investigation at Hurstville Crime Scene Section, before he was designated as a Detective (Technical) in 1995.
Two years later, he transferred to the Physical Evidence Training and Research Branch where he was promoted to the rank of Detective (Tech) Sergeant in 2002. In March 2004, he was promoted to the rank of Detective (Tech) Inspector as the Forensic Services Group Staff Officer. In July 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent as the Commander of FSG identification Services Branch.
In March 2011, Supt Tuck transferred to the Police Property Group where he later became the Acting Manager until 2017. During this time, he oversaw the construction and completion of 14 new police stations across NSW. In April 2018, he moved to the Workforce Safety Command to undertake a number of corporate policy projects until March 2019.
During his distinguished service, Superintendent Tuck was awarded the NSW Police Medial 4th clasp, National Police Medal, National Police Media for Service 3rd clasp and the 2018 Commissioner's Citation for his role in the design and construction of the NSW Police Force Service Memorial at Surry Hills.
Superintendent Wayne Cox APM
32 years of distinguished service
Superintendent Wayne Cox joined the NSW Police Force as a Trainee in 1987 and was posted to No. 18 Division at Parramatta Police Station. During his career, Supt Cox performed general duties and criminal investigations at Parramatta, Granville, Ermington, Berrigan, Quakers Hill and The Rocks Police Station.
During the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Mr Cox was seconded to the Protective Services Group and performed the role of principal security officer for President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch.
In 2002, Supt Cox was promoted to Inspector at Maroubra Local Area Command, before being promoted again to Inspector at Leichhardt Police Area Command in 2006. Four years later, Supt Cox transferred to Mt Druitt Police Area Command where he was instrumental in reducing crime in the area and implementing strategies to divert young offenders from the criminal justice system. He was also involved in a number of local Indigenous groups and communities and was the Region Spokesperson for Aboriginal engagement within the local area.
In 2013, he was transferred to Parramatta Police Area Command, where he continued his strong commitment to the community before retiring in October 2019.
During his distinguished service, Superintendent Cox was awarded the Australian Police Medal, National Police Service Medal, National Medal 1st clasp, NSW Police Media 4th clasp, NSW Police Commissioner Unit Citation, NSW Police Commissioner Sesquicentenary Citation and the NSW Police Commissioners Olympic Citation.
Detective Chief Inspector John Maricic APM
40 years of distinguished service
Detective Chief Inspector John Maricic APM joined the NSW Police Force as a trainee at the Redfern Police Academy in 1978. He attested as a Probationary Constable a year alter and was attached to No. 30 Division at Gosford for six weeks, then to No. 16 Division at Hornsby, where he performed general duties until 1994.
During his career, Det Ch Insp Maricic performed duties at the Drug Enforcement Agency working with the NSW Crime Commission, as well as the State Major Incident Group and Organised Crime Unit. In 1996, he was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant at Kings Cross Police Station, where he later relieved as Duty Officer and Crime Manager.
In 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Inspector and went on to perform duties at Rose Bay, City Central, and The Rocks Local Area Commands. In September 2013, City Central and The Rocks amalgamated to Sydney City Police Area Command, where Det Ch Insp Maricic remained as Crime Manager until his retirement last month.
Det Ch Insp Maricic also relieved as Commander of Sydney City and Kings Cross Police Area Commands, and Operations Manager at the Central Metropolitan Region. He also performed duties in the Commissioner's Office and Deputy Commissioners Office for Metropolitan Field Operations.
During his distinguished service, Detective Chief Inspector Maricic was awarded the NSW Police Medal, the NSW Police Medal 5th clasp, the National Medal 1st and 2nd clasps, and the Australian Police Medal.
Chief Inspector Stephen Hudson
37 years of distinguished service
Chief Inspector Stephen Hudson joined the NSW Police Force as a Trainee in 1982 and was posted to Campbelltown as a Probationary Constable performing general duties.
During his career, Ch Insp Hudson performed duties in rural NSW at Gravesend and Corowa before returning to Campbelltown in 1992. Five years later he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant at Macquarie Fields and went on to perform as Acting Duty Officer until 2002.
Ch Insp Hudson was promoted to the substantive rank of Inspector at Holroyd Police District in April 2002, before transferring to the Education and Training Command as Staff Officer in 2008. In 2013, he commenced as General Manager of the Police Recruitment Branch until his retirement in August 2019 after 37 years of diligent and ethical service.
During his distinguished service, Chief Inspector Hudson was awarded the National Police Service Medal, National Medal 1st clasp, NSW Police Medal 4th clasp, NSW Police Commissioners Olympic Citation and the Commissioner Community Service Citation.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT 'CLASS 339'
A total of 275 new recruits are being sworn in today.
The class comprises of 182 policemen and 93 policewomen.
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable and report to their new stations for work on Monday (16 December 2019).
They will then complete 12 months on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University. They officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice once they have passed all academic and operation standards. The officers will then be confirmed to the rank of constable.
Of the probationary constables attesting today, 252 were born in Australia and 23 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include; New Zealand, Wales, Ireland, Hong Kong, Nepal, USA, Iran, and Brazil.
The recruits age statistics include:
- 27 are aged 19-20
- 160 are aged 21-25
- 57 are aged 26-30
- 14 are aged 31-35
- 10 are aged 36-40
- Seven aged over 40
