Introduction
The NSW Police Force will celebrate 150 years of proud policing traditions in 2012. The Force has had an influential role in shaping of the state of NSW and the 150th anniversary is as significant to the community as it is to the NSW Police Force.
A range of events and activities have been scheduled over the course of 2012 to commemorate this important historic event.
Celebrations will commence on 1 March 2012. This date is noteworthy as 1 March 1862 was the day the existing independent police units of the colony were amalgamated into the single NSW Police Force.
On 1 March 2012, the anniversary will be formally launched to the public with the NSW Police Force banner being led by a police marine contingent across Sydney Harbour to the historic quarter known as The Rocks. A ‘Sea of Blue’ marching contingent will then take the banner from the Marine Area Command up George Street to Town Hall, announcing 150 years of policing in NSW.
Throughout the 150th anniversary there will be an array of other activities planned to commemorate this significant event, including:
- a NSW Police Force Expo held at Darling Harbour in April
- a historic policing exhibition held at Sydney’s Justice and Police Museum, and
- command based activities throughout the state.
The celebration of the anniversary will run through to National Police Remembrance Day on 29 September 2012.
To coincide with the upcoming events, the NSW Police Force has launched its official Flickr site, giving the public the chance to view and comment on historic police photos. The Force’s Flickr site can be accessed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/60610599@N04/