*PLEASE NOTE: Class 366's Attestation parade will be live streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/8TkPfKoLPx0?si=fFYBpX0bI0iRS8Gd. The press conference will be live streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/Stsf20oSBdQ?si=GVaoCVTyblUqzmKv
**PLEASE NOTE: Vision and images of probationary constables are available via Hightail: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/l0RiQMcKRc
The state's first female Police Commissioner will be farewelled after a 38-year career as a new class of 314 probationary constables joins the ranks.
Class 366 is the largest group of graduates in 13 years to attest from Goulburn Police Academy.
Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, NSW Premier, The Honourable Chris Minns MP and Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, The Honourable Yasmin Catley MP, will join NSW Police Acting Commissioner, Paul Pisanos APM today (Friday 22 August 2025) at an Attestation ceremony to see students become sworn probationary constables.
As part of the ceremony, Commissioner Webb will be formally farewelled with a marching out salute on the parade ground, a ceremonial gesture of her retirement.
Commissioner Webb joined the NSW Police as part of Class 228, on May 18, 1987.
Commissioner Webb served the people of New South Wales with diligent and ethical service, forging a path for other women as the first female Commissioner.
During her tenure, Commissioner Webb oversaw significant changes to attract, retain and support police officers including the introduction of paid training at the Goulburn Police Academy, the Professional Mobility Program, and the biggest pay rise for police in decades.
She also had a focus on mental health for officers including introducing the statewide Pulse program, which provides mental health clinicians at police stations, and she announced a new insurance and support scheme to provide improved coverage for injured officers.
Commissioner Webb has also maintained a strong focus on silent crimes in the community, particularly domestic and family violence and in July 2023, she announced the Domestic Family Violence Command which was an Australian-first specialist policing team to provide advice and response to domestic and family violence.
Commissioner Webb also rolled out strategies including strike forces and operations to tackle organised crime, drug offences, knife and regional crime.
Premier Chris Minns said Commissioner Webb had spent her career serving the community.
"Commissioner Webb has dedicated nearly four decades to serving the people of NSW," he said.
"On behalf of the people of NSW, I thank Commissioner Webb for her leadership, her important reforms, and her lifelong commitment to keeping our communities safe."
"Congratulations to Class 366. I thank you for taking on these roles and putting your hand up to protect our communities across the state.
"Policing is an extraordinarily difficult profession, but the opportunities for career advancement and challenges within the NSW Police Force are extensive."
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley congratulated Commissioner Webb on a long and distinguished career.
"I thank Commissioner Webb for an extraordinary career of self-sacrifice and service to the people of NSW," Minister Catley said.
"She has been a force for change, achieving landmark reform that will leave a lasting legacy on the NSW Police Force.
"Commissioner Webb's drive to modernise the force for the 21st century will have an immense impact on our police and community. Congratulations Commissioner.
"To our new recruits, every single one of you has shown a steadfast commitment to make our state a safer place. I wish you all a long, rich, and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force."
NSW Police Acting Commissioner Paul Pisanos APM said Commissioner Webb had forged pathways and opportunities for current and future police.
"We thank Commissioner Webb for her incredible commitment to serve the community, and the NSW Police Force," Acting Commissioner Pisanos said.
"Commissioner Webb as the first female Police Commissioner, shattered barriers and blazed a trail of progress, paving the way for future generations and inspiring probationary constables to believe in their potential.
"As we welcome a new generation of officers into the NSW Police Force, today is a day to mark the significant contribution Commissioner Webb has had on our organisation."
The probationary constables will begin their first day on the beat from Monday (25 August 2025) following eight months of training, including 16 weeks at the Academy.
They will be deployed to police stations across the state to serve local communities.
As part of Class 366, 13 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. They will return to their home town areas to work in the following locations: Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Tamworth, Macksville, Singleton, Wagga Wagga and Albury.
NSW Police has received 4749 applications since 1 November 2023, following the announcement that recruits would be paid to train at the Academy. This represents a 72 percent increase in applications.
Since the announcement of the new award agreement, 2283 applications to join the NSW Police Force have been received.
This year's class also raised a record-breaking fundraising amount, with $23,350 donated to NSW Police Legacy during the Run4Blue event and $59,987 raised for Special Olympics Australia as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Relay Polar Plunge event in Goulburn.
COMMISSIONER KAREN WEBB APM BIOGRAPHY
Karen Webb is the first woman to hold the title of Commissioner of the NSW Police Force when she was sworn in as the 23rd Commissioner.
She joined the NSW Police Force in May 1987 performing general duties and criminal investigations in metropolitan and regional areas.
Commissioner Webb performed duties at the Child Mistreatment Unit, Drug Enforcement Agency, Detectives Training Unit and command roles at the Forensic Services Group, Local Area Commands, Operations Manager North West Metropolitan Region and Commander State Surveillance Branch before being appointed to Assistant Commissioner at Police Transport & Public Safety Command.
Commissioner Webb has overseen numerous large and significant operations and projects including the Invictus Games 2018, Australia Day 2018 and 2019, sporting events, proactive crime programs and the 100 Years of Women in Policing celebrations. Commissioner Webb has served as a board member of NSW Police Legacy and the State Rescue Board.
As Deputy State Emergency Operations Controller, she worked closely with emergency service agencies during bushfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioner Webb has provided leadership as Corporate Sponsor for Women in Policing, LGBTI and Victims of Crime & Customer Service.
In February 2022, she was formally sworn in at a ceremony in her hometown of Boorowa, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the history of the state and the New South Wales Police Force.
Commissioner Webb has received the Australian Police Medal, NSW Police Medal and 5th Clasp, National Police Service Medal, National Medal and 2nd Clasp, Commissioner's Emergency Commendation and Premier's Bushfire Citation.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT CLASS 366
A total of 314 recruits are being sworn in today.
The class comprises 221 men and 93 women. The youngest officer is 19 years old and the oldest probationary constable is aged 59.
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable. Recruits will report to stations around the state for work on Monday 5 May 2025.
After attestation, they will then complete 12 months' on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University.
At the end of this 12-months 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.
While many recruits are Australian-born, this year the graduating cohort is also made up of students from diverse backgrounds.
- 18 recruits are First Nations
- 277 were born in Australia
- 37 were born overseas
- Their countries of origin include England, China, New Zealand, South Korea, Nepal, Italy, Greece, India, Chile, South Africa, Serbia, Canada, USA, Thailand, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Ireland.
- The recruits speak 12 different languages.
The probationary constables came to the Academy from across the state and interstate.
- 106 were from western Sydney
- 62 were from the Hunter region
- 60 were from eastern Sydney
- 30 were from the North Coast
- 11 were from the Blue Mountains
- 11 were from the Wollongong
- They were also recruits from the South Coast/Snow, Northern Tablelands, Wagga Wagga, Goulburn, Albury, Dubbo and far west.
- Three were from Queensland, and two each were from Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.
Class 365 comprises of ages:
- 18-20 – 55
- 21-25 – 144
- 26-30 – 57
- 31-35 – 32
- 36-40 – 12
- Over 40 – 14
Eight recruits will also receive awards for outstanding academic, physical, marksmanship and practical policing achievements.
ATTESTATION – Police Area Command & Police District Allocations
CENTRAL METROPOLITAN REGION – 69
Eastern Beaches PAC – 11
Eastern Suburbs PAC – 12
Inner West PAC – 13
Kings Cross PAC – 2
Leichhardt PAC – 4
South Sydney PAC – 2
St George PAC – 7
Surry Hills PAC – 6
Sutherland Shire PAC – 8
Sydney City PAC – 4
NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN REGION – 63
Blacktown PAC – 9
Blue Mountains PAC – 2
Hawkesbury PAC – 2
Kuring Gai PAC – 6
Mt Druitt PAC – 6
Nepean PAC – 5
North Shore PAC – 6
Northern Beaches PAC – 6
Parramatta PAC – 8
Riverstone PAC – 4
Ryde PAC – 6
The Hills PAC – 3
SOUTH WEST METROPOLITAN REGION – 64
Auburn PAC – 6
Bankstown PAC – 8
Burwood PAC – 8
Camden PAC – 3
Campbelltown City PAC – 9
Campsie PAC – 4
Cumberland PAC – 8
Fairfield City PAC – 10
Liverpool City PAC – 8
NORTHERN REGION – 67
Brisbane Water PD – 6
Coffs/Clarence PD – 9
Hunter Valley PD – 5
Lake Macquarie – 3
Manning-Great Lakes PD – 5
Newcastle City PD – 2
Mid North Coast PD – 6
Port Stephens-Hunter PD – 7
Richmond PD – 7
Tuggerah Lakes PD – 11
Tweed/Byron PD – 6
SOUTHERN REGION – 29
Lake Illawarra PD – 1
Monaro PD – 6
Murray River PD – 3
Murrumbidgee PD – 5
Riverina PD – 5
South Coast PD – 4
The Hume PD – 4
Wollongong PD –1
WESTERN REGION – 22
Barrier PD – 2
Central North PD – 1
Central West PD – 2
Chifley PD – 1
New England PD – 4
Orana Mid-Western PD – 7
Oxley PD – 5
TOTAL ALLOCATIONS – 314
