The NSW Police Force is today welcoming 349 new probationary constables, as Class 368 attests, becoming the largest class to graduate in 13 years.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon will be joined by Governor of NSW, Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, and Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, The Honourable Yasmin Catley MP, to welcome the new students this morning (Friday 1 May 2026).
The graduating students will begin their first day as sworn officers on Monday (4 May 2026), the same day nine cadets start their police cadetship program – the first since 1977.
The cadets – all aged 17 and 18 – have spent the last four weeks undergoing an induction.
For the next 12 months, the cadets will be placed at The Hills and Sutherland Shire Police Area Commands, where they will undergo paid experience, learning firsthand what life as a police officer involves.
Six police dogs are also attesting today; three drug detection dogs named Horrace, Bachar and Quattro, and three general purpose dogs named Evie, Charger and Pride.
Class 368 is the last class to be graduating with Charles Sturt University, before the program begins with Western Sydney University.
In recognition of the long-standing relationship between the NSW Police Force and Charles Sturt University, a lecture hall at the NSW Police Force Academy has been renamed after the university.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley thanked every recruit for their commitment.
"To every officer attesting today, and every family standing behind them: thank you. NSW backs you, NSW is grateful, and we wish you a long, safe and rewarding career," Minister Catley said.
"Every one of these 350 officers represents more support for the frontline and more protection for communities right across the state – and each of them have chosen duty, service and the responsibility of keeping NSW safe.
"The Minns Government is proud to be rebuilding the NSW Police Force. For too long, the former government failed to invest properly in our police. They capped wages, let recruitment slide and left the Force under pressure – and we know thousands of experienced officers left because it.
"There is more to do, but the momentum is real – the last class broke a 13-year record, and this class has broken it again."
Commissioner Lanyon said he is incredibly proud to welcome Class 368 to the force.
"It is my privilege today to welcome part of a new generation of officers who will shape the future of the NSW Police Force," Commissioner Lanyon said.
"Each recruit has already shown discipline, courage and commitment to becoming a police officer and I'm confident in their ability to serve the communities they have been placed in.
"I am proud to welcome the recruits to a career that will demand a lot of them but one that will make an impact."
The Commissioner will also present a retired Senior Constable with the Commissioner's Valour Award for his bravery during the pursuit and arrest of heavily armed offenders at Tugun in February 2015.
Class 368 facts and figures
A total of 349 recruits are being sworn in as probationary constables today.
The class is made up of 259 men and 90 women. The youngest is 19 and the oldest is 46.
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable.
The probationary constables' first day on the job is Monday 4 May 2026, when they will report to stations across the state.
For the next 12 months, they will complete on-the-job training and study by distance education. At the end of the 12-month period, they will officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice and will be confirmed to the rank of Constable.
Class 368 is made up of recruits from diverse backgrounds, including 20 First Nations recruits and 39 who were born overseas.
The graduating cohort also speak 12 languages other than English, including Assyrian, Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Korean, Macedonian, Kurdish, Afrikaans, Malayalam, Bengali and Dari.
Class 367 comprises of ages:
- 18-20 – 61
- 21-25 – 149
- 26-30 – 75
- 31-35 – 36
- 36-40 – 15
- Over 40 – 13
As part of Class 368, 49 probationary constables benefit from the recruitment initiative, Be a Cop in Your Home Town, which allows applicants to return and work in the community they live.
Eight recruits will also receive awards for outstanding academic, physical, marksmanship and practical policing achievements.
ATTESTATION – Student allocations
CENTRAL METROPOLITAN REGION – 89
Eastern Beaches PAC – 10
Eastern Suburbs PAC – 7
Inner West PAC – 10
Kings Cross PAC – 6
Leichhardt PAC – 2
South Sydney PAC – 8
St George PAC – 8
Surry Hills PAC – 8
Sutherland Shire PAC – 15
Sydney City PAC – 15
NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN REGION – 66
Blacktown PAC – 3
Blue Mountains PAC – 6
Hawkesbury PAC – 2
Kuring Gai PAC – 5
Mt Druitt PAC – 7
Nepean PAC – 9
North Shore PAC – 8
Northern Beaches PAC – 9
Parramatta PAC – 4
Riverstone PAC – 2
Ryde PAC – 7
The Hills PAC – 4
SOUTH WEST METROPOLITAN REGION – 72
Auburn PAC – 5
Bankstown PAC – 9
Burwood PAC – 8
Camden PAC – 4
Campbelltown City PAC – 9
Campsie PAC – 5
Cumberland PAC – 9
Fairfield City PAC – 11
Liverpool City PAC – 12
NORTHERN REGION – 62
Brisbane Water PD – 5
Coffs/Clarence PD – 10
Hunter Valley PD – 2
Lake Macquarie – 3
Manning-Great Lakes PD – 3
Mid North Coast PD – 9
Newcastle City PD – 2
Port Stephens-Hunter PD – 3
Richmond PD – 11
Tuggerah Lakes PD – 10
Tweed/Byron PD – 4
SOUTHERN REGION – 31
Lake Illawarra PD – 2
Monaro PD – 4
Murray River PD – 8
Murrumbidgee PD – 1
Riverina PD – 4
South Coast PD – 9
The Hume PD – 3
WESTERN REGION – 29
Barrier PD – 6
Central North PD – 3
Central West PD – 2
Chifley PD – 3
New England PD – 6
Orana Mid-Western PD – 7
Oxley PD – 2
TOTAL ALLOCATIONS – 349
