An additional 1500 NSW police officers will be recruited and trained over the next four years, with special resources made available to battle elder and child abuse.
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Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Police Minister Troy Grant made the announcement alongside Police Commissioner Mick Fuller last month.
The new officers will be deployed across every police district in the state, in what is the biggest staff increase in 30 years.
Mr Fuller said this commitment to the NSW Police Force is historic.
“I am very excited at the opportunities we’ll now have to enhance our capability,” he said.
“We have re-engineered the organisation to ensure our structure has us well placed to prevent, disrupt and respond to crime throughout the community.
“Now we can also grow the force to boost our efforts even further.”
Mr Grant said protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our community – our children and the elderly – is undoubtedly one of the most important roles that NSW Police perform.
“To ensure police have greater capability to keep a watchful eye on known offenders against children, and ensure our elderly are better protected from abuse, all 58 police commands across NSW will receive a child protection officer and elder abuse prevention officer,” said Mr Grant.
President of the Police Association of NSW, Tony King, said this investment in police numbers will undoubtedly help ease the burden and strain on current officers.
“I am thrilled the government has listened and worked with us to deliver the biggest increase in police numbers in more than three decades,” said Mr King.