NSW Police have today officially launched two initiatives at Port Macquarie aimed at identifying and recruiting future police officers.
You Should Be a Cop In Your Hometown is a recruitment campaign designed to attract applicants to 12 regional areas, specifically targeting applicants to become an officer in their home town.
The target regions include: Albury; Bathurst; Coffs Clarence; Dubbo/Wellington; Griffith; Hunter Valley; Mid North Coast; Moree; Nowra; Richmond; Tamworth and Wagga Wagga, with placements dependent
on operational needs.
Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree, People and Capability Command, said the goal is to able to provide greater certainty for recruits, giving them confidence they can join the NSW Police Force and work in their hometowns.
"We know that becoming a police officer and moving away from home can be a big ask, especially if you have family and enjoy where you live. This new initiative will give those who apply to be a police officer a higher level of confidence on where they'll work," Assistant Commissioner Greentree said.
"As well as being paid to train and starting your career with NSW Police, when you join, you can identify where you would like to work and if an applicant is from a regional area not listed, we will still look at positions available in the area."
The recruitment campaign is in Port Macquarie today (Wednesday 18 September 2024), before visiting Lismore on Friday 20 September 2024, Coffs Harbour on Saturday 21 September 2024 and then Muswellbrook on Sunday 22 September 2024.
The You Should Be a Cop Youth Program was also launched today at Port Macquarie PCYC, and is a work experience program, designed to create interest in becoming a police officer, as well as educate young people and reduce barriers which may commonly delay their entry into the force.
Following pilot programs at Sutherland Shire Police Area Command, Oxley Police District and south west Sydney, the initiative will be expanded next year state wide, and include students on the Mid North Coast.
Each 'class' will include approximately 20 students, with participants from Years 10 to 12 identified by their school careers counsellor.
As part of the initiative, students will gain a better understanding of policing by participating in a four day program, which will see them experience a variety of specialist commands, as well as potentially visit the Police Academy at Goulburn.
Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood, Capability Performance & Youth Command said the pilot program is designed to not just find the next generation of police, we want to inspire students and show them there's much more to being a police officer.
"This is an opportunity to showcase a career in policing for young people, who may have not previously considered joining the police force," Assistant Commissioner Wood said.
"We are hoping to attract young people from big and small regional towns, metropolitan areas and culturally diverse backgrounds, because it will help us better serve the community."
For more details on You Should Be a Cop In Your Hometown visit: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment.
