Attestation of Class 365 - Largest class to graduate in 11 years

Friday, 02 May 2025 10:05:33 AM

More than 300 probationary constables have become the latest cohort of paid recruits to attest from Goulburn Police Academy, making Class 365 the largest group of graduates in more than 10 years.

Three hundred and two probationary constables will be armed with the skills and knowledge acquired during their 16 weeks at the Academy when they start their first day on the beat from Monday (5 May 2025).

The probationary constables will be deployed to police stations across the state to serve local communities.

Class 365 is also the first class to officially benefit from the new recruitment initiative, Be a Cop in your Home Town, which allows applicants to return and work in the community they live. A total of 8 probationary constables will return to their home town to work in the following towns: Tamworth, Grafton, Port Macquarie, Dubbo, Cessnock, Wyong and Lismore.

NSW Police has received 3910 applications since 1 November 2023, following the announcement that recruits would be paid to train at the Academy. This represents a 70 percent increase in applications. Of those applications, there’s been a 33 percent increase in female applicants.

In the five months since the announcement of the new award agreement, 1444 applications to join the NSW Police Force have been received.

Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, NSW Premier, The Honourable Chris Minns MP and Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, The Honourable Yasmin Catley MP, will join NSW Police Commissioner, Karen Webb APM at the Goulburn Police Academy today (Friday 2 May 2025).

NSW Premier Chris Minns has welcomed the 302 new probationary constables.

“To the around three-hundred new recruits: a big, warm welcome to the NSW Police Force. Thank you for putting yourself forward to protect the NSW community.

“Our Government’s number one priority is community safety, and our NSW police are on the frontline every day.

“This is the latest class to benefit from our paid study program, we have delivered police a historic pay rise, and we have launched initiatives to get cops back to the bush.

“While there is more work to do, we are turning around police recruitment.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said she was proud of Class 365 as they begin what will be a rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force.

“These probationary constables are stepping up with the integrity, courage and commitment NSW communities depend on,” Minister Catley said.

“For many attesting today, becoming a police officer wouldn’t be possible without paid study.

“This landmark recruitment reform has given a diverse new cohort the opportunity to join the best police force in the country and our community is all the richer for it.

“The new officers will be deployed where they are needed the most, providing much-needed support for the hardworking police already on the frontline.

“We want to give more people the opportunity to join the NSW Police, so I am pleased to announce the Elite Athlete Recruitment program to help achieve this.

"The NSW Labor Government backs our police every step of the way. We wish Class 365 all the best as they head out into the field - ready to serve and protect communities right across NSW."

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM said this class demonstrated a major turning point in recruitment for the NSW Police Force.

"It's the biggest class in 11 years with more than 300 recruits marching off the parade ground, which is a milestone in our campaign to boost the ranks,” Commissioner Webb said.

"Based on the weekly average, the number of applications has increased by 70 percent since November 2023 when I announced the new payment scheme for all recruits.

"Many of our new probationary officers would not be here today to reach their dream of becoming a police officer without that wage.”

Commissioner Webb said she was enormously proud that there had also been a spike in women joining the force.

"Since November 2023, we have seen a 33 percent increase from female applicants which is a critical addition to the force,” she said.

A new recruitment initiative aimed at attracting top-performing athletes to the NSW Police Force has also been launched.

The Elite Athlete Recruitment Program provides athletes with a flexible, supported pathway into policing while continuing their athletic careers. They will benefit from flexible work arrangements which will allow them to continue to train and compete.

More than 25 athletes from various sports have already been identified as potential applicants, with one probationary constable attesting today who will benefit from the new program.

FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT CLASS 365

A total of 302 recruits are being sworn in today.

The class comprises 221 men and 81 women.

The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable. Recruits will report to stations around the state for work on Monday 5 May 2025.

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.

While many recruits are Australian-born, this year the graduating cohort is also made up of students from diverse backgrounds.

• 13 recruits are First Nations
• 267 were born in Australia
• 35 were born overseas
• Their countries of origin include England, China, India, Iraq, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, South Korea, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fiji, French Polynesia, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Republic of Macedonia, Syria and Wales.
• The recruits speak 15 different languages.

The probationary constables came to the Academy from across the state and interstate.

• 106 were from western Sydney
• 55 were from eastern Sydney
• 48 were from the Hunter region
• 24 were from the North Coast
• 16 were from the Wollongong
• They were also recruits from the South Coast/Snow, Blue Mountains, Northern Tablelands, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Goulburn, Orange, Albury, Corwa/Parkes/Forbes and far west.
• Three were from Queensland, and one each were from Victoria, Northern Territory and South Australia.

Class 365 comprises of ages:

• 18-20 – 62
• 21-25 – 143
• 26-30 – 45
• 31-35 – 32
• 36-40 – 8
• Over 40 – 12

Eight recruits will also receive awards for outstanding academic, physical, marksmanship and practical policing achievements.

There will be six police dogs graduating.

ATTESTATION – Police Area Command & Police District Allocations

CENTRAL METROPOLITAN REGION – 75

Eastern Beaches PAC – 6

Eastern Suburbs PAC – 5
Inner West PAC – 13

Kings Cross PAC – 10
Leichhardt PAC – 9

South Sydney PAC – 3

St George PAC – 10
Surry Hills PAC – 8
Sutherland Shire PAC – 4

Sydney City PAC – 7

NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN REGION – 66
Blacktown PAC – 6

Blue Mountains PAC – 4

Hawkesbury PAC – 2

Kuring Gai PAC – 5

Mt Druitt PAC – 7
Nepean PAC – 6

North Shore PAC – 11
Northern Beaches PAC – 7
Parramatta PAC – 5

Riverstone PAC – 4

Ryde PAC – 4

The Hills PAC – 5

SOUTH WEST METROPOLITAN REGION – 63
Auburn PAC – 7

Bankstown PAC – 9

Burwood PAC – 9

Camden PAC – 5

Campbelltown City PAC – 6

Campsie PAC – 7

Cumberland PAC – 7
Fairfield City PAC – 8
Liverpool City PAC – 5

NORTHERN REGION – 45
Brisbane Water PD – 7

Coffs/Clarence PD – 6

Hunter Valley PD – 6

Manning-Great Lakes PD – 2

Mid North Coast PD – 1

Port Stephens-Hunter PD – 3

Richmond PD – 4

Tuggerah Lakes PD – 9

Tweed/Byron PD – 7

SOUTHERN REGION – 26
Lake Illawarra PD – 3

Monaro PD – 2

Murray River PD – 4

Murrumbidgee PD – 3

Riverina PD – 3

South Coast PD – 5

The Hume PD – 4

Wollongong PD – 2

WESTERN REGION – 27
Barrier PD – 4

Central West PD – 5
Chifley PD – 3

New England PD – 6
Orana Mid-Western PD – 6
Oxley PD – 3

TOTAL ALLOCATIONS – 302

Quotes attributable to Probationary Constables Steven Romer and Ebony Baxter

• Probationary Constables Steven Romer, 50, and Ebony Baxter, 25, are from Inverell and are father and daughter.
• They applied for the Academy, trained and attested together.
• “We studied together, we trained together and we are going to make it out of (the Academy) on the same day,” Probationary Constable Baxter said.
• Probationary Constable Romer worked as a mechanic for decades but has always wanted to become a police officer. He applied 10 years ago but deferred, deciding he could not be away from his family and job while his children were young.
• He said being paid and returning to his regional community to work had made the transition to becoming a police officer much easier.
• “The fact I can be paid now is definitely a big thing,” Probationary Constable Romer said. “I am country born and bred and I wanted to be back out there. I’d like to be out there where my family is.”
• “I’m privileged to be able to go home,” Probationary Constable Baxter said.
• Probationary Constable Romer will be stationed at Moree. Probationary Constable Baxter will return to Inverell.

Quotes attributable to Probationary Constables Emily Fileman

• Probationary Constable Emily Fileman, 21, knew she wanted to join the force after a police officer saved her life when she was four years old.
• Probationary Constable Fileman was rushed to hospital by her parents after having a seizure in 2007. Her parents flagged down Sergeant James Joiner, a highway patrol officer, who rushed her to Westmead Children’s Hospital. His quick actions saved her life. Sgt Joiner will be reunited with Probationary Constable Fileman after the attestation.
• “I have no idea what would have happened if he wasn’t there,” Probationary Constable Fileman said.
• “Being told that as a young kid made me realise that I really wanted to be able to do that for someone else one day to pay it back.”
• Probationary Constable Fileman will join her uncle and cousin who are also police officers. She said they were great role models and played a major part in her decision to join the force.
• She will be stationed at Parramatta.

Quotes attributable to Probationary Constable Ryan Oschadleus

• Probationary Constable Ryan Oschadleus, 21, has represented Australia in the under 21s team in field hockey and is part of the NSW Pride squad. He said being a beneficiary of the Elite Athlete Recruitment Program would allow him to continue training at a high level while starting his career with NSW Police.
• “While hockey is very important to me, it is important to have a career to support me through my journey and this program will significantly benefit me as an athlete,” Probationary Constable Oschadleus said.
• “Being a beneficiary of the Elite Athlete Recruitment Program, will assist me in ensuring adequate training time, while still completing all my work.”
• Probationary Constable Oschadleus will be stationed at Ryde.

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