NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller, AO, APM, will today welcome 178 new probationary constables into the NSW Police Force., NSW Police say
The students of ‘Class 330’ of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice will attest at the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn tomorrow.
The Commissioner 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.
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable and report to their new stations for work on Monday (1 May 2017).
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.
Commissioner Fuller will officially welcome the 142 new policemen and 36 new policewomen.
"These new recruits will experience all facets of policing over the next 12 months but most importantly they will boost our frontline response capacity," Commissioner Fuller said.
"Police play such an important role in our community and these officers have worked hard – both physically and academically – to reach this milestone.
"I wish them all the best as they embark on their next chapter as a police officer and I’m confident that they will uphold the Force’s statement of values in performing those duties," Commissioner Fuller said.
Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services, The Honourable Troy Grant MP, joined Commissioner Fuller to see the new recruits off the parade ground.
"On behalf of the NSW Government, I congratulate Class 330 on graduating today as our newest probationary constables," Mr Grant said.
"These men and women deserve the entire State’s gratitude for dedicating their careers to the reduction of crime and ultimately, the safety of their communities."
As the new officers start their careers, Commissioner Andrew Scipione will be farewelled after 37 years of distinguished service with the NSW Police Force.
Superintendent Beth Stirton APM, and Superintendent James Johnson APM, will also march off the parade ground to the salute of Commissioner Fuller as they retire from distinguished careers.
The three retiring officers have more than 115 years of distinguished service between them with the NSW Police Force.
Commissioner Fuller says their contributions have been impressive and set a great example to all those who follow in their footsteps.
"These officers have imparted a great legacy upon those who have served with them and I hope our newest recruits take note," Commissioner Fuller said.
"I would like to wish Commissioner Scipione, Supt Stirton, and Supt Johnson all the best in their retirement."
Commissioner Andrew Scipione, AO APM
37 years of distinguished service
Commissioner Scipione joined the NSW Police Force in 1980, after working for the Australian Customs Service. He undertook general duties and traffic duties, before becoming a detective at Bankstown Local Area Command in 1983. He was subsequently seconded to the National Crime Authority in 1985.
He worked as a Detective Inspector at the Joint Technical Services Group, before being promoted to the rank of Detective Supintendent at the Special Technical Investigation Branch. He was also a senior NSW Police Counter Terrorist Advisor to the Standing Advisory Committee on Commonwealth and State Cooperation for Protection Against Violence (SAC-PAC).
Commissioner Scipione was appointed as Assistant Commissioner in charge of Special Crime and Internal Affairs in 1998, and was then appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2002. He took the job as Commissioner 2007.
Throughout his distinguished career, Commissioner Scipione was awarded the National Medal; Australian Police Medal (APM); NSW Police Medal; 2nd clasp to NSW Police Medal; 1st clasp to National Medal; 3rd clasp to NSW Police Medal; NSW Premier Emergency Award; 4th clasp to NSW Police Medal; National Police Service Medal; and in June 2016 he was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and received the Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
Superintendent Beth Stirton, APM
43 years of distinguished service
Supt Stirton joined the NSW Police Force as a trainee on 18 October 1982. She was attested as a Probationary Constable on 14 January 1983 and attached to No. 1 Division at Central Police Station.
Throughout her career she has served in the ‘A’ District Anti-Theft Squad, personnel coordinator duties at Sydney District Personnel, general duties at Hornsby Police Station, and administration duties at Research and Analysis and Evaluation sections at Police Headquarters.
In May 1996, Supt Stirton was transferred to the role of Transfers Coordinator with the Northern Region, before she was given a temporary appointment as Inspector as the Human Resource Manager in the newly formed Endeavour Region.
She worked at Kuring-Gai Local Area Command, before being promoted to Inspector at Eastwood Local Area Command and Parramatta Local Area Command until appointed as Superintendent at Albury Local Area Command in 2011.
Throughout her career, Supt Stirton has received a number of awards including: the Australian Police Medal; National Police Service Medal; National Medal with 1st clasp; NSW Police Medal with 4 clasps; NSW Police Commissioner’s Olympic Citation; Commissioner’s Sesquicentenary Citation; Bev Lawson Memorial Award; Police Association of NSW Award; and received the first message stick ever given to a white person in NSW Police Force from Uncle Tunny Murray on behalf of the Albury-Wodonga Aboriginal Elders 2015.
Superintendent James Johnson, APM
35 years of distinguished service
Supt Johnson joined the NSW Police Force as a cadet on the 5 February 1973 and graduated in April 1975.
During his early career Supt Johnson performed a variety of duties including at No. 31 Division, No. 20 Division, and the Special Gaming Squad.
Between March 1983 and February 1993, he worked at Bankstown Police Station, Bass Hill Police Station, and Riverwood Police Station. Supt Johnson was a highly-regarded criminal investigator and was the lead investigator into a number of murders and shootings within the Bankstown area.
Supt Johnson worked as the Crime Manager at Bankstown from 2002 until 2006. Since then, he has worked at Cabramatta Local Area Command, Special Services Group, and NSW Marine Area Command.
In September 2011 he was appointed as Green Valley Local Area Commander, where he remained until he retired in October 2016.
During his distinguished career Supt Johnson has been awarded the National Medal; 1st and 2nd clasp to National Medal; NSW Police Medal; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th clasp to the NSW Police Medal; National Police Service Medal; Australian Police Medal in 2008; Region Commanders Unit Citation; and Commanders Commendation.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT ‘CLASS 330’
A total of 178 new recruits are being sworn in today.
The class comprises 142 policeman and 36 policewomen.
Of the probationary constables attesting today, 168 were born in Australia and 10 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include the United States of America, Afghanistan, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Wales, Fiji and New Zealand.
There are also students in ‘Class 330’ who speak a language other than English, including Arabic, Vietnamese and Bosnian.
Among those attesting today, seven probationary constables identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.
The four youngest recruits are aged 20 and the oldest is 62-years-old. Age statistics include:
- Four are 20
- 101 are aged 21-25
- 52 are aged 26-30
- Eight are aged 31-35
- Six are aged 36-40
- Seven are aged 41+
