A total of 208 new probationary constables will be sworn into the NSW Police Force this morning, NSW Police say.
The students of "Class 328" of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice will attest at the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn today tomorrow.
Commissioner Andrew Scipione, AO, 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.
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable and report to their new stations for work on Monday (22 August 2016).
They will then complete 12 months on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University before they officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice. The officers will then be confirmed to the rank of constable.
Commissioner Scipione said the new recruits are about to embark upon a diversified and highly rewarding career path.
"Policing is an incredibly unique career path and one that will give these new officers many different and exciting opportunities as they interact with the community each day," Commissioner Scipione said.
"There will no doubt be challenges along the way; however, there’ll be many more rewarding experiences and their presence here today shows they have the resilience and determination to succeed and represent the NSW Police Force proudly.
"When they walk off the parade ground today, these probationary constables will be tasked with ensuring the safety and security of the people of NSW, and I’m confident they will do so with integrity," Commissioner Scipione said.
"I wish every student all the best in their policing futures and I hope they have valuable and rewarding careers."
In addition, Commissioner Scipione will farewell Detective Superintendent Stuart Wilkins, APM, after 36 years of distinguished service with the NSW Police Force.
Det Supt Wilkins will march off the parade ground to the salute of Commissioner Scipione during the Attestation parade this morning.
Commissioner Scipione congratulated Det Supt Wilkins on more than 36 years of diverse and highly-valued contributions to the NSW Police Force.
"Det Supt Wilkins demonstrated the very best of the Force throughout his impressive policing career, during which he devoted time to several challenging endeavours including service with the Homicide Squad, Drug Squad and Organised Crime Squad," Commissioner Scipione said.
"It’s clear Det Supt Wilkins represented the organisation proudly and on behalf of those who had the pleasure of working with him, I would like to pass on my sincere thanks and wish him well in his retirement."
Detective Superintendent Stuart Wilkins (APM)
36 years of distinguished service
Det Supt Stuart Wilkins joined the NSW Police Force on 17 June 1980 as a Junior Trainee, before graduating from the Redfern Academy on 6 April 1981.
He undertook duties as a criminal investigator from 1984-1986 with No6 and No14 Divisions and completed the Detectives Training Course in 1986.
Notably, Det Supt Wilkins was the youngest member of the NSW Police Force to be accepted into the Homicide Squad, Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB).
Over the following 15 years, Det Supt Wilkins completed various criminal investigation duties with the Homicide Squad (South Region), Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force, Homicide Squad (North Region), Task Force ‘Air’ regarding the infamous backpacker murders, Drug Squad and Organised Crime Squad (North West Region).
In 1991, Det Supt Wilkins was directly responsible for the introduction of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) as an investigative tool, during which he travelled to the United Kingdom and later presented DNA evidence regarding four homicides to the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
He was also instrumental in securing vital evidence against convicted murderer Ivan Milat; obtaining critical identification evidence from British backpacker Paul Onions.
Det Supt Wilkins commenced duties as the Staff Officer to the Deputy Commissioner, Field Operations, in 2000. He later served as Commander of Task Force Gain and Local Area Commander for both Hawkesbury and Macquarie Fields Local Area Commands. In his latter role, he invested significant time in engagement activities to rebuild community relationships and trust following the 2005 Macquarie Fields Riots.
He also performed temporary appointments as Region Commander South West Region and North Region, for 11 months from 2006-2014, and was undertaking duties at Tweed/Byron Local Area Command at the time of his retirement.
Throughout his distinguished career, Det Supt Wilkins was awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM), National Medal, 1st & 2nd Clasp to the National Medal, NSW Police Medal, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Clasp to the NSW Police Medal, Commissioner’s Olympic Citation, National Police Service Medal and 150 year Sesquicentenary Citation.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT ‘CLASS 328’
A total of 208 new recruits are being sworn in today.
The class comprises 169 policeman and 39 policewomen.
156 probationary constables studied as undergraduate students, while twenty-five studied via distance education.
In addition, twenty-four probationary constables joined through the University of Western Sydney pathway, one officer via the Accelerated Prosecutor Program, two officers studied through the Bachelor or Justice Studies (Policing) pathway.
Of the probationary constables attesting today, 189 were born in Australia and 19 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include the United Kingdom, New Zealand, China, Brazil, Croatia, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nepal and South Africa.
There are also a number of students in Class 328 who speak a language other than English, including; Turkish, Nepali, Mandarin, Greek, Croatian and Acholi.
Among those attesting today, 11 probationary constables identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.
The seven youngest recruits are aged 20 and the oldest is 50-years-old. Other age statistics:
- 91 are aged 21-25
- 49 are aged 26-30
- 33 are aged 31-35
- 18 are aged 36-40
- 10 are aged 41+
