21 experienced officers will officially join the ranks of the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) today after graduating from the Professional Mobility Program (PMP), a recruitment program designed by the Minns Labor Government to address the shortage of police officers and boost community safety.
The graduates are from Queensland (3), Victoria (5), South Australia (1), Northern Territory (1), the Australian Federal Police (4) and New Zealand (7).
These officers have completed a 12-week training course and will start at their new home stations from Monday.
The Professional Mobility Program allows current serving police officers from other jurisdictions within Australia and New Zealand to train and become police officers in NSW, while keeping their equivalent rank (up to Senior Constable level six).
Previously, there was no pathway for officers to move to NSW and keep their equivalent rank.
The 21 officers will be stationed across NSW:
- Central Metropolitan Region - 2
- Northwest Region - 2
- Northern Region - 10
- Southwest Metropolitan Region - 3
- Southern Region - 2
- Western Region - 2
Most graduates worked in General Duties at their past policing jurisdictions. Others worked in highway patrol, prosecutions, crash investigation, specialist units and detectives.
They are aged between 28 to 54 years old.
The former Liberal-National Government had no plan for police recruitment, no plan for police retention and drove wages backwards for over a decade. Thousands of experienced officers left the force as a result.
The Minns Labor Government is working hard to turn that around by delivering better frontline services and supporting the NSW Police Force to keep communities safe.
While there is most work to do, we have:
- Delivered a historic pay rise for police officers;
- Started to pay recruits to train, resulting in a 70 per cent increase in applications to join the NSWPF;
- Allowed graduates to serve closer to home via Be a Cop In Your Hometown;
- Fast-tracked experienced officers to transfer to NSW via the Professional Mobility Program;
- Established the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Command to support officers' physical and mental health.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:
"This is about rebuilding the essential services that communities across NSW rely on - starting with the people who keep us safe.
"For too long, police stations across NSW were left short-staffed and overstretched. We're working hard to recruit more police with real reform, better pay, and practical pathways for experienced officers to get to work in NSW.
"These new officers bring a wealth of experience to the job - whether they've served in general duties, crash investigation, or specialist units. They're ready to hit the ground running and make a difference in their communities.
"This is what rebuilding looks like - more officers, better support, and safer communities."
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
"Today's graduates aren't just new recruits - they're seasoned professionals from across Australia and New Zealand who've chosen to make NSW their home.
"This is more than a career move - this is a life decision and it speaks volumes about the strength and reputation of the NSW Police Force.
"With paid study, historic pay rises and new pathways to help regional recruits stay close to home, there's never been a better time to join. We're proud to welcome these officers to the NSW police family today."
NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Dean Smith said:
"Today we see 21 PMP recruits graduate in NSW after having started their policing careers at other Australian and New Zealand policing jurisdictions.
"They have completed 12 weeks' training at the Police Academy, and from today are appointed as probationary constables for a period of 6 months.
"Each of these officers brings invaluable past experience from each of their individual jurisdictions, and we are delighted they have demonstrated a commitment to serve the people of NSW.
"This program is providing a boost to police numbers which will greatly help us best serve our communities."
