NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller will welcome 226 new probationary constables to the ranks of the Force in a private attestation ceremony in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.
The students of Class 349 will be sworn in by Commissioner Fuller during the COVID-safe ceremony today (Friday 8 October 2021).
Social distancing and mass gathering directions have been applied to the attestation ceremony, with no members of the public or the media able to attend.
The number of visiting police has also been restricted and their movements restricted in line with the relevant Public Health Orders.
Class 349 will commence duties from next Monday (11 October 2021), which will see them undertake a year of on-the-job training and complete the Associate Degree in Policing Practice by distance education with Charles Sturt University before being confirmed to the rank of constable.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott congratulated the new recruits, who bring a fresh boost to the Force.
“Congratulations to the men and women of Class 349, who graduate today and will join the NSW Police Force at its strongest and most efficient,” Mr Elliott said.
“After eight months of world-class training, the attesting officers will join their stations next Monday and invigorate the policing capabilities of this state.
“As they start at commands next week, they can be certain that the NSW Government is committed to supporting its frontline officers,” he said.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller welcomed the recruits of Class 349 as they took their oath of office to become the Force’s newest probationary constables.
“Over the past two years, police have played a vital role in leading the community through the pandemic and I have been extraordinarily proud of the dedication and service of all of my men and women in blue,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“I commend our newest probationary constables for embarking on a career in policing.
“The challenges they will face may not yet be known, but I can assure them that they will part of a large policing family. They have just reached an important milestone in what will no doubt be a very rewarding career,” he said.
Education and Training Commander, Assistant Commissioner Dean Smith, said that the recruits have already demonstrated the resilience needed for a rewarding career in law enforcement.
“I congratulate all of today’s newest probationary constables on this significant achievement,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and commitment every one of the attesting probationary constables have displayed over the past eight months. The last 16 weeks has been particularly challenging given the COVID-19 restrictions and the fact that many of the recruits have not been able to return home to see their loved ones.”
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT CLASS 349
A total of 226 recruits are being sworn in today, with the class comprised of 153 men and 73 women.
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable. Recruits will report to their stations for work from Monday 11 October 2021.
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, three recruits are indigenous.
Those born in Australia total 192, while 34 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include Brazil, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Lebanon, Congo, South Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Serbia, and the Philippines.
Languages in addition to English spoken by students in Class 349 include Arabic, Portuguese, Urdu, Shona, Tamil, Swahili, Chinese, Hindi, Korean and Nepali
The youngest recruits are aged 19, while the oldest recruits is aged 44. Other age statistics for Class 349:
- 18-20 – 30
- 21-25 – 112
- 26-30 – 55
- 31-35 – 20
- 36-40 – 6
- Over 40 – 3
For interviews with recruits going to specific areas, please contact the relevant Regional Media Officer or Police Area Command/Police District directly from next Monday (11 October 2021).
