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NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione will welcome 711 new recruits into the Force at an attestation ceremony in Goulburn this morning.

‘Class 311’ of the Associate Diploma of Policing Practice is made up of 529 men and 182 women.

“As the new recruits take their oath of office today, they bring vigour and enthusiasm to meet the challenges that lay ahead.

“I welcome them today and wish them well as they embark upon the rewarding career that is policing NSW.

“Our newest Probationary Constables bring the knowledge, skills and experience to meet the future policing needs of our state,” said Commissioner Scipione.

The new probationary constables come from a wide range of backgrounds. A number were born overseas in countries including India, Iraq, New Zealand, Croatia and Indonesia.

Many are from non-English speaking backgrounds, with many fluent in a second language including Arabic, Cantonese, Dari, Kurdish and Serbian.

“Eighty of the recruits speak over 34 different languages, showing that the diversity of our troops match the diversity of the community we serve.”

Two recruits joined the NSW Police Force through the IPROWD (Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery) program, and fourteen recruits identify as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

“I am heartened and proud to see fourteen Indigenous recruits march onto the parade ground today. They bringing a wealth of cultural knowledge and significantly add to the 330 Indigenous people currently employed within the Force,” he said.

Some of the recruits entered the NSW Police Force College straight from school or university study, while others left established professional careers and trades.

EDITORS NOTE: A video profiling four of the recruits will be available to media via YouSendIt this afternoon or on the police YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/TheNSWPolice

FACTS AND FIGURES

· Following today’s attestation of 713 additional police, the NSW Police Force is above authorised strength (authorised strength will be 15,806 as of 1 January 2011).

· The class comprises 182 policewomen and 529 policemen.

· 623 probationary constables studied as undergraduate students, while 53 probationary constables studied via distance education.

· One probationary constable studied through the Bachelor of Justice Studies pathway, while 24 probationary constables joined through University of Western Sydney pathway.

· Nine recruits joined through the Accelerated Prosecutors Recruitment Program. One recruit participated through the Accelerated Student Program.

· Among the probationary constables attesting today, 622 were born in Australia and 89 were born overseas.

· Fourteen officers identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander background.

· The youngest recruit is aged 19 and the oldest is 49 years. Other age statistics:

o 91 are aged 18-20

o 312 are aged 21-25

o 167 are aged 26-30

o 63 are aged 31-35

o 55 are aged 36-40

o 23 are aged 41+

From     www.police.nsw.gov.au   Photo :  www.dailytelegraph.com.au