The NSW Police Force will welcome 226 new probationary constables and six new police dogs at a ceremony at the Police Academy in Goulburn tomorrow, NSW Police say.
‘Class 331’ includes 166 policemen and 60 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, said the recruits will experience all facets of policing over the next 12 months.
"Police are an integral part of the fabric of the communities they serve and these men and women have worked hard to reach this milestone," Commissioner Fuller said.
"As they embark on their new careers, they will uphold the values and honour of what it means to be a NSW Police Officer.
"I congratulate them and their new communities welcome them," Commissioner Fuller said.
Commissioner Fuller will be joined by the President of NSW Court of Appeal, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AO representing the Governor of NSW, to inspect the new recruits on the parade ground.
Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services, Troy Grant MP, was also in attendance to see the new recruits off the parade ground.
"Our men and women in blue encounter the very best and worst of humanity in the line of duty, and the NSW Police family will be there to encourage and support our newest recruits as they embark on the next stage of their careers," Minister Grant said.
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable and report to their new stations for work on Monday (21 August 2017).
The ceremony will also see two dog handlers graduate from the General Purpose course with Police Dogs Apache and Mammoth and four dog handlers are graduating from the Detection course with Police Dogs Hagan, Romy, Flash and Aero.
Today also marks the retirement of three officers with more than 100 years of combined service in the NSW Police Force.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Henkel APM, Chief Inspector Paul Roussos, and Sergeant David Plunkett will march off the parade ground to the salute of Commissioner Fuller as they retire from distinguished careers.
Commissioner Fuller says their distinguished careers serve as an impressive example to all those following in their footsteps.
"These three officers have imparted a great legacy upon those who have served with them and I hope our newest recruits take note," Commissioner Fuller said.
"I wish Det Ch Insp Henkel, Ch Insp Roussos, and Sgt Plunkett all the best in their retirement."
RETIRING OFFICERS BIOS
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Henkel APM
45 years of distinguished service
Det Ch Insp Henkel joined the NSW Police Force as a cadet in 1972. He worked at North Sydney Highway Patrol, before gaining a position with the Crime Scene Unit in the Criminal Investigation Branch in 1978.
After eight years in scientific investigation, he transferred to the Fraud Squad in 1986. Whilst at the Fraud Squad, he was selected to work with the NSW Education Department to investigate arson and malicious damage to Government Schools in the South West Region. He was also involved in the development of Crime Prevention workshops for primary and high schools in Sydney’s south west.
In 1989 he was transferred to Bankstown where he worked as a shift supervisor and later transferred to Quakers Hill undertaking the same role.
He worked as an Inspector at Ashfield Local Area Command before transferring to Eastwood Local Area Command in 2006. He was the State Coordinator of the Volunteers in Policing from 2010 until his retirement last month.
Throughout his distinguished career, Det Ch Insp Henkel was awarded the Australian Police Medal, National Police Service Medal, National Medal and 2nd clasp, and NSW Police Service Medal and 6th clasp.
Chief Inspector Paul Roussos
27 years of distinguished service
Ch Insp Roussos joined the NSW Police Force in 1990 and was posted at Walgett in the state’s north west.
Throughout his career he has served in general duties at Tamworth, and a teaching position in the School of Management and Organisational Studies at the NSW Police Academy.
In October 1997, Ch Insp Roussos transferred to the Witness Security Unit as team leader before becoming the Commander from 2002 until 2006. He has also worked for the International Criminal Court where he was instrumental in establishing the Witness and Victim Protection Program.
Ch Insp Roussos returned to NSW Police and took up the position of manager at Tamworth radio and later became manager of the Missing Persons Unit until his retirement in March 2017.
Throughout his career, Ch Insp Roussos completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences and Masters of Business Management at the University of England. He also received a number of awards including: the National Medal; NSW Police Medal with three clasps; Commissioner’s Olympic Citation; National Police Service Medal; Commissioner’s Unit Citation; and District Citation.
Sergeant David Plunkett
30 years of distinguished service
Sgt Plunkett joined the NSW Police Force as a trainee on 2 November 1987 and was stationed at No. 27 Division (Blacktown).
During his early career Sgt Plunkett performed Highway Patrol duties at Blacktown, Green Valley and Fairfield.
In 2009, he transferred to the Traffic Support Group as team leader where he led various VIP escort duties, including the following dignitaries His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Governor of Australia, Governor General of Australia and the Dalai Lama, until the time
During his distinguished career Sgt Plunkett has been awarded the National Medal; 1st clasp to National Medal; NSW Police Medal; 1st, 2nd and 3rd clasp to the NSW Police Medal; Commissioner’s Olympic Citation; National Police Service Medal; and, 150 Year Sesquicentenary Citation.
