The NSW Police Force has been bolstered by the addition of 250 new officers this year, representing the third allocation of the NSW Government's commitment to invest in 1,500 new police over four years.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said 115 of the police positions will join commands in regional and metropolitan areas, while other positions will be allocated to specialist commands.
"The Raptor Squad will benefit from 20 additional officers to target organised crime, while the Criminal Groups Squad and Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad will both benefit from 10 extra positions," Mr Elliott said.
"These new officers are part of a $583 million investment by the NSW Government, to add 1500 additional police over four years."
"The additional positions will make a real difference to the NSW Police Force and give them a greater ability to keep our State safe, especially during a time when police have been relied on so heavily," Mr Elliott said.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller APM said the additional police positions put the organisation in a solid position to adapt and respond to new and emerging crime issues.
"A modern police force must be resilient, adaptable and responsive. We have clearly demonstrated that capability over the past 20 months as we responded to the threat of COVID-19," Commissioner Fuller said.
"Despite stay-at-home orders and other gathering limitations, criminal enterprise has not ceased. These additional resources will be the boost we need to respond to whatever threats we may face in the future."
Field Operations Commands set to receive extra positions for 2021-22 are:
- Northern Region – 18 (including one Child Protection Register officer and three positions for the Region Enforcement Squad)
- Southern Region – 18 (including four Child Protection Register officers and two officers for the Region Enforcement Squad)
- Western Region – 13 (including four Child Protection Register officers and two officers for the Region DV High Risk Offender Team)
- Central Metropolitan Region – 14 (comprising nine Child Protection Register officers and five officers for the Region DV High Risk Offender Team)
- North West Metropolitan Region – 36 (10 Child Protection Register officers and three officers for the Region Operations Support Group)
- South West Metropolitan Region – 16 (including four Child Protection Register officers and six officers for the Region Enforcement Squad)
Additional positions allocated to Police Area Commands and Police Districts include,
- Barrier PD (four additional positions),
- Camden PAC (seven additional positions)
- Coffs/Clarence PD (three additional positions)
- Lake Macquarie PD (two additional positions)
- Quakers Hill PAC (seven additional positions)
- South Coast PD (six additional positions), and
- The Hills PAC (nine additional positions).
The remaining allocations will be distributed to other specialist commands across the Force. Allocations are determined based on resource requirements and how best to prevent, disrupt and respond to emerging crime issues.
