Ms Goward, who attended the Police Attestation Parade in Goulburn on Saturday, said police did an extremely difficult job in stressful circumstances.

“Police are at the front line of so many distressing situations and are the first people to attend and help victims of crime including domestic violence,” Ms Goward said.

“Domestic violence is a scourge on family life and the role of police in attending and resolving incidents, arresting offenders and protecting victims and children is a vital one.

“It must not be eroded by a broke and broken State Government that has run out of money and run out of time.

“Front line police work in some regions is dominated by incidents of domestic violence - so we need every police officer on the front line, and well trained, to protect women and children who cannot protect themselves.”

“The “Working Smarter” document produced by the Police Association of NSW has proposed ways to save the NSW Government money while helping police officers work more efficiently to improve policing in NSW.

“While I support their call for more police and higher pay, the proposed changes to the police domestic violence response must not compromise victim safety,” Ms Goward said.

“I am confident that the NSW Police will ensure this does not happen and on this basis I believe the campaign, and the savings proposed, are a sensible way ahead,” Ms Goward said.

“I will be attending the Keep Our Cops rally on September 1 in Macquarie Street, Sydney in support of local police and hope it will convince the NSW Government to listen to their case.”