The largest ever cohort of NSW Sheriff's Officer recruits will soon start work at courthouses across the state.
Attorney General Mark Speakman today congratulated the 31 Probationary Sheriff's Officers of Alpha Class 2021 at a graduation ceremony in Parramatta.
"Today we celebrate the achievements of these Sheriff's Officers, who have completed their training and will play a critical role in keeping our courts and communities safe. I congratulate each officer and wish them well for their service to the people of NSW," Mr Speakman said.
"This cohort was the largest ever to undergo training and the first to be enrolled in the NSW Sheriff and Justice Academy, with 2020 classes delayed due to COVID-19."
The 10-week program brought academic rigour to the real world, with the recruits learning communication skills to de-escalate situations and tactical training including hand-to-hand combat.
NSW Sheriff Tracey Hall said the newly sworn-in Probationary Sheriff's Officers will put the skills they've learnt to the test next month when they take up posts across the state, from Sydney to as far west as Griffith and Dubbo. The group will now finish their Certificate III in Government (Court Services) over 12 months in the workplace.
"Sheriff's Officers are unsung heroes who often forge long and rewarding careers. It's a sometimes dangerous job for which they deserve our thanks for protecting people who attend courts," Ms Hall said.
This year's graduates come from diverse backgrounds, including NSW Police, Corrective Services, the Australian Defence Force, retail and private industries such as tourism, aviation and hospitality.
There are more than 300 Sheriff's Officers in NSW who carry out court security and administer the jury system in 170 locations. They also perform field duties such as seizures of assets, enforcing warrants and evictions.
The Office of the NSW Sheriff has existed for nearly 200 years. Over the past year, the Sheriff's Officers have stepped out of their normal role to also assist in bushfire relief and COVID-19 efforts.
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