The NSW Police Force will welcome 234 new probationary constables and farewell a retiring Assistant Commissioner at a ceremony at the Police Academy in Goulburn today (Friday 27 April 2018), NSW Police say.
‘Class 333’ includes 164 policemen and 70 policewomen who will complete 12 months on-the-job training and study of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice by distance education with Charles Sturt University before being confirmed to the rank of constable.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM, 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.
Commissioner Fuller said the recruits have worked hard, both physically and academically, to reach today’s milestone.
"These recruits will be tested with new challenges every day but they will also experience the reward of serving the community as a police officer," Commissioner Fuller said.
"They will be stationed right across the state where they will spend the next 12 months learning what it truly means to wear the two-blues uniform."
NSW Premier, The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP, will also be in attendance to see the new recruits off the parade ground.
"The NSW Government is proudly supporting the NSW Police Force with funding for record numbers of officers and state-of-the-art equipment," Ms Berejiklian said
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable and report to their new stations for work on Monday (30 April 2018).
The ceremony will also see Assistant Commissioner John Hartley APM, march off the parade ground to the salute of Commissioner Fuller.
Assistant Commissioner Hartley is retiring after 39 years in the NSW Police Force.
Chief Inspector Kelvin McKneight will also be farewelled after 37 years of service.
RETIRING OFFICERS BIO
Assistant Commissioner John Hartley APM
39 years of distinguished service
Assistant Commissioner Hartley APM joined the NSW Police Force in 1979 and worked at No. 13, No. 20 and No.15 divisions, before he commenced as a sergeant at Wagga Wagga in November 1993.
Between 1995 and 2001, he worked as the Promotions Unit Commander, before he was promoted to Superintendent as Operations Coordinator for City East. He transferred to Traffic Services as Commander in November 2003.
In 2009 he was appointed Assistant Commissioner where he assumed command of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command. During his tenure he implemented community engagement vehicles which featured key road safety messaging, enhanced the crash investigation function, delivered the ‘e ticketing’ capability and chaired the ANZPAA road policing forum. He retired in January 2018.
Throughout his distinguished career, Assistant Commissioner Hartley was awarded the Australian Police Medal, National Police Service Medal, National Medal and 2nd clasp, NSW Police Commissioners Commendation for Service, NSW Police Commissioners Unit Citation, NSW Police Commissioners Sesquicentenary Citation, and NSW Police Medal with 5th clasp.
Chief Inspector Kelvin McKneight
37 years of distinguished service
Chief Inspector McKneight joined the NSW Police Force as a junior trainee in 1981. He attested as a probationary constable in March 1982 and was assigned to No.19 division. While working at Bass Hill Police Station, he created a weekly radio show ‘Cop This’ on the local community radio station.
In 1994, he was promoted to sergeant at Cabramatta Local Area Command and during his posting he became a member of the Premier’s Department working party in developing a strategy in the fight against drugs.
He was promoted to Inspector in 2000, before being appointed as the professional standards manager at Fairfield in 2005.
In 2013, Ch Insp McKneight commenced as the professional standards manager at Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and retired in March 2018.
Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Inspector McKneight was awarded the National Police Service Medal, National Medal and 2nd clasp, NSW Police Medal with 5th clasp, NSW Police Commissioners Commendation for Service, NSW Police Commissioners Olympic Citation, and NSW Police Commissioners Sesquicentenary Citation.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT ‘CLASS 333’
A total of 234 new recruits are being sworn in today.
The class comprises 164 policemen and 70 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, 213 were born in Australia and 21 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include Wales, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Colombia, Sweden, United States of America, Austria, Serbia and Pakistan.
There are also students in ‘Class 333’ who speak a language other than English, including Korean, Spanish, Cantonese, German, Vietnamese, Turkish and Mandarin.
Among those attesting today, seven probationary constables identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.
The recruits age statistics include:
- 16 are 19-20
- 122 are aged 21-25
- 68 are aged 26-30
- 13 are aged 31-35
- Seven are aged 36-40
- Eight are aged 40+
For interviews with recruits going to specific areas, please contact the relevant Police Area Command or Police District on Monday 30 April 2018.
