The NSW Police Force has expanded access to policing students undergoing the Associate Degree in Policing Practice (ADPP), NSW Police say.
The NSW Police Academy and Charles Sturt University (CSU) are about to commence the first online program where residential phases are conducted at the Port Macquarie campus of CSU.
Session one of the ADPP is offered full time at the NSW Police Academy, or as an online option to allow students to complete their study whilst maintaining employment. For online students, a total of six residential phases are required to be attended.
Commander of the NSW Police Academy, Chief Superintendent Rod Smith, said until now these residential phases were all conducted at the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn.
"We have created more opportunities for people to join the NSW Police Force and have developed a program that will allow the residential phases to be conducted remotely," Ch Supt Smith said.
The first of the regional residentials will commence on Friday 14 September 2018 at Port Macquarie CSU campus.
A total of 35 students have enrolled in this course as the initial part of their journey to become a NSW Police Officer. Upon completion of their online course, they will enter session two which is conducted over 16 weeks and must be performed full time at the NSW Police Academy, Goulburn.
The class enrolled at Port Macquarie is the largest online class for many years.
"It is encouraging to see people from this area take up the offer and commence their study to become a police officer," Ch Supt Smith said.
"The offering of residential phases at Port Macquarie minimises the time spent away from home, allowing them to continue to work whilst completing the first part of the course," he said.
The NSW Police Recruitment Branch are also taking the entry assessments to the country. So far, testing has been conducted at Kempsey, Bathurst and Dubbo, with more sites scheduled throughout the remainder of the year. This involves physical capacity testing, psychometric testing and face-to-face interviews.
"In the past, applicants were required to travel to Sydney to take part in these tests. In an attempt to attract more country recruits and streamline the process, we are now coming to the candidates," Ch Supt Smith said.
The NSW Police Academy currently has 730 policing students studying full time on the Associate Degree of Policing Practice (ADPP) at Goulburn with a further 55 studying by way of part-time distance education.
"We have a contractual agreement with our partner Charles Sturt University who provide the academic program," Ch Supt Smith said.
"On top of that, students are required to complete a rigorous training program that incorporates their physical fitness, weapons training, defensive tactics, driving, drill and practical scenario training.
"It’s a very proud moment for the newly-sworn Probationary Constables and their families on attestation day, which occurs three times per year," he said.
Commander of the Education and Training Command for NSW Police, Assistant Commissioner Anthony Crandell, said the NSW Police Force is looking for the highest-quality police applicants right across NSW.
"Our aim is to encourage people from country areas to join the NSW Police Force, with local program delivery an attractive option for potential police recruits," Assistant Commissioner Crandell said.
"The NSW Police Force offers an exciting and rewarding career and welcomes all applicants from diverse backgrounds.
"The diversity of our workforce is a critical component in maintaining trust and confidence in the community. Our police are amongst the most highly trained and professional in the world. Now is a great time to consider a career with us," Assistant Commissioner Crandell said.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences for Charles Sturt University, Professor Tracey Green, said the University worked closely with New South Wales Police Force on this initiative.
"CSU are delighted to facilitate this ADPP offering at our regional NSW campus at Port Macquarie."
"CSU wish to wholeheartedly support the initiative of NSW Police to make a policing career more accessible to those who reside in regional NSW," Professor Green said.
