More than 240 recruits will today join the ranks of the NSW Police Force following months of high level training and dedicated study, NSW Police say.
The 246 students from ‘Class 334’ will join the NSW Police Force as probationary constables from Monday following a graduation ceremony at the Police Academy in Goulburn today (Friday 17 August 2018).
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM said these officers have been challenged both physically and mentally throughout their training which has prepared them for a career serving the community.
"Becoming a police officer is not an ordinary career path and these recruits have proved they have not only the dedication to succeed, but the ability to up hold the values of the NSW Police Force," Commissioner Fuller said.
"This next chapter will show the recruits what it means to put on the two-blues uniform each day and serve the community with pride."
Graduating officers will commence their first day of duty at Police Stations across NSW from Monday 20 August 2018.
They will then complete 12 months on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University before they officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice, and be confirmed to the rank of constable.
Commissioner Fuller, will be joined by the Governor of NSW, His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) to inspect the new recruits on the parade ground.
Of the 246 students graduating today, 155 are men and 91 are women.
Minister for Police Troy Grant MP said becoming a sworn police officer is a tremendous honour and the families and communities of the newest members of the Force should be very proud of what they have already achieved.
"We owe each and every new recruit an enormous debt of gratitude for devoting their working lives to the safety of the people of NSW," said Mr Grant.
"I am proud to welcome the newest members to the NSW Police family, and I wish them the best for their future policing career."
As per tradition, the ceremony will also see Chief Superintendent Peter Gillam APM, Superintendent Robert Redfern APM, Superintendent Chris Clark APM and Chief Inspector John Cameron formally marched off the parade ground as they retire from the NSW Police Force after nearly fifteen decades of combined service.
RETIRING OFFICERS BIO
Chief Superintendent Peter Gillam APM
39 years of distinguished service
Chief Superintendent Gillam APM joined the NSW Police Force as a junior trainee in 1978 before being stationed at No.22 division in Liverpool, where he also performed general duties across Green Valley until 1982.
After commencing in the Tactical Response Group (TRG) in 1982, where he developed extensive tactical skills and remained there until 1985, he transferred to the Special Weapons and Operations Squad until 1987 when he took a position at Tamworth, as part of Crash Investigations, only to return to Sydney in 1988 as part of the South West Tactical Response Group.
In 1991, Chief Superintendent Gillam transferred to State Protection Group’s Witness Security Unit, where he was promoted to the Sergeant and Senior Sergeant, before being promoted to Chief Inspector and Commander of Witness Security in 2003.
From 2007 until his retirement, Chief Superintendent Gillam oversaw The Hume, Camden and Liverpool Police Area Commands.
Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Superintendent Gillam was awarded the Australian Police Medal, National Police Service Medal, National Medal and 2nd clasp, NSW Police Medal with 5th clasp, NSW Police Commissioners Unit Citation for outstanding negotiation and operation skills for the ‘Hanging Rock’ siege and State Commanders Citation for courage and devotion to duty.
Superintendent Robert Redfern APM
37 years of distinguished service
Superintendent Redfern APM joined the NSW Police Force in 1981 and worked at No. 22 division at Liverpool, and as a highway patrol officer at No. 19 division Bass Hill, before transferring to the Prosecutions Branch as a senior constable in 1987.
In 1988, he was awarded first place in the J.J Milne Trophy for best speech by a trainee prosecutor, along with a region Commander citation for outstanding achievement and later became the acting Director of Legal Services.
In 2003 he rose to the rank of Superintendent and took up the position of Commander Internal Audits, before assuming command of the then Miranda Local Area Command in 2005 where he became the police commander during the ‘Cronulla riots’. Superintendent Redfern then moved to Parramatta Local Area Command in 2007, before taking the reigns as Commander, Workforce Safety and Human Resources in 2013 where he remained until his retirement.
Throughout his distinguished career, Superintendent Redfern was awarded the Australian Police Medal, National Police Service Medal, National Medal 1st and 2nd clasp, Deputy Commissioners Commendation for leadership, integrity and commitment, Commissioners and Unit Citation for Operation Malta, NSW Police Medal, Commissioners citation for outstanding bravery during Cronulla riots, Commissioners Sesquicentenary Citation and NSW Police Medal with 5th clasp.
Superintendent Chris Clark APM
37 years of distinguished service
Superintendent Clark APM joined the NSW Police Force in 1981 before being stationed at No.22 division in Liverpool, where worked in general duties for 13 years, during which he was promoted to Senior Constable.
After being promoted in 1994 to Sergeant, he joined the State Intelligence where he was promoted to Superintendent in 1998 and took over as Commander, Intelligence Services. In 2002 Superintendent Clark took a secondment to the former Australian Bureau of Crime Intelligence at Canberra until 2005.
Upon his return, Superintendent Clark worked for Mainframe Replacement Program with in BTS taking over as Director for BTS Operation Policing Program in 2008. By 2012, he transferred as the Commander, Workforce Management, where he remained until his retirement.
Throughout his distinguished career, Superintendent Clark was awarded the National Medal and 2nd clasp, Australian Police Medal, NSW Police Medal and 5th clasp and National Police Service Medal.
Chief Inspector John Cameron
43 years of distinguished service
Chief Inspector Cameron joined the NSW Police Force in 1974 and commenced duty at No.18 division Parramatta and in 1976 transferred to No.33 division at Castle Hill until 1981
While working at Ashfield/Burwood he was promoted to Senior Constable in 1985 before moving to the North-West region office, then to the Promotions Unit in 1988 and was promoted to Senior Sergeant in 1989. By 1995, Chief Inspector Cameron was promoted to Inspector, and worked as Staff Officer for the Macarthr District and Macquarie region. He later took the position of Human Resource manager in Court and Legal Services before resigning in 2001.
After re-joining the police in 2002 and working in the Transfers Unit, he was promoted to Inspector in 2007 before moving to Manager of Secondments until 2014 where he took the position of Manager, Appointments Unit, where he remained until his retirement.
During his distinguished career, Chief Inspector Cameron received the National Medal and 2nd clasp, NSW Police Medal and 6th clasp and the National Police Service Medal.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT ‘CLASS 334’
A total of 246 new recruits are being sworn in today.
The class comprises 155 policemen and 91 policewomen.
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.
Of the probationary constables attesting today, 223 were born in Australia and 23 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include Wales, South Africa, China, Croatia, New Zealand, South Korea, Lebanon, Greece, USA, Hungary, Canada, Zimbabwe and Iraq.
There are also students in ‘Class 334’ who speak a language other than English, including Mandarin, Arabic, Korean, Shona, Vietnamese, Spanish, Greek, Croatian and Serbian.
Among those attesting today, 15 probationary constables identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background, with seven of these recruits participating in IPROWD.
The recruits age statistics include:
• 26 are 19-20
• 129 are aged 21-25
• 57 are aged 26-30
• 19 are aged 31-35
• Eight are aged 36-40
• Seven are aged 40+
For interviews with recruits going to specific areas, please contact the relevant Police Area Command or Police District on Monday 20 August 2018.
