NSW Police trainees will be paid to become officers: state government moves to address frontline services shortfall
The NSW Government states it is continuing to rebuild our frontline services announcing on October 31 an historic breakthrough agreement to address the ongoing critical shortfall in police numbers by paying Student Police Officers while they study at the Goulburn Police Academy.
This is an important workforce incentive to encourage more people to take up a career in the NSW Police Force, the Government stated.
The stress of the work, impacts on health and family life, more attractive positions outside the force and public perceptions of police compounded simply through 'doing the job' during recent Covid lockdowns have seen record numbers of police leave the NSW Police Force in the last few years and led to shortages to fill shifts.
Kevin Morton, President of the Police Association of NSW, welcomed the announcement. The Association has been calling for the change for some time, citing Recruit pay as a hugely important strategy to attract enough police to meet the ever-increasing workload current serving officers are all managing to perform each day.
''As President, I made this a focus for the Association at our Conference in May 2022, because this is needed to fix the vacancy and workload challenges. We can’t resolve those if we don’t have the boots on the ground.
''The former Government failed to plan for long term recruitment challenges, but the PANSW did not give up, and today the PANSW has secured a historic win for police recruitment.''
''The fact that NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Police Yasmin Catley worked so constructively with the PANSW to deliver this recruitment strategy shows how highly the PANSW is respected in Government and what we can achieve going forward.
“We need to once again recruit people with life experience. The only way to do this is to pay as they learn. You shouldn’t have to choose between paying a mortgage and supporting a young family or joining our job.” - President Kevin Morton said at PANSW Conference May 2022.
''The Police Association has been advocating to alleviate the pressures on members caused by vacancies and workload increases.
It is no secret that the number of recruits is not as high as it used to be. Without enough new police joining, there is only so much that can be done; there is no getting around it, you need boots on the ground.
NSW police officers are the best in the world. If we want to continue to attract and retain the best and brightest, we need to ensure policing remains an attractive career in NSW.''
The announcement of recruit pay removes a barrier that existed: anyone considering a career in NSW Police Force had to be willing to forgo income for 16 weeks.
''It takes a special kind of person to want to be a police officer, but with today’s cost of living challenges, not many of us can afford to forgo income for 16 weeks. This announcement allows people from all walks of life to consider a career in the NSW Police Force.
This announcement of recruit pay will incentivise people to join, which ultimately means more cops in local communities, and more police to help perform the huge amount of work you do every day.'' the President of the Police Association of NSW stated
From March 2024, Student Police Officers will be paid to study at the Goulburn Police Academy. Student Police Officers will be employed as clerk grade 1/2 administrative employees on a temporary fixed term contact.
They will receive a total salary of approximately $30,984 over the 16-week study period.
That works out to be $1,360 per week plus superannuation and an estimated $380 in award-based allowances.
At the end of their studies, they will be employed and paid as Probationary Constables, as is the current arrangement.
This initiative also brings NSW in line with other states and territories who already offer students extra allowances.
To ensure the current classes are not worse off, they will receive a scholarship administered by their education provider - Charles Stuart University.
Class 360 will receive a pro-rata scholarship from the date of today’s announcement.
Class 361 will receive a $21,760 scholarship.
'NSW Police is being severely strained by a huge shortfall in police numbers. We are currently carrying more than 1,500 vacancies – a legacy of the previous government’s mismanagement of police recruitment and retention.
These vacancies are placing significant strain and an increased workload on serving officers. It is critical that something is done to address this.' the Government said in a statement
'The scheme, combined with NSW Police’s Associate Degree level qualification that police recruits earn at Goulburn Academy will make NSW the most attractive jurisdiction in Australia to train as a police officer.
This will unlock opportunities for a more diverse range of recruits including mature age students who have existing financial responsibilities, women, particularly women with families, and people from low-income households who simply can’t afford to study for four months with no income.
The Government states its plan to rebuild essential services is only possible because of the careful and responsible approach to repair the budget without privatising essential assets or imposing an unfair wages cap on the workforce.
'We are a government with a clear focus – managing our finances responsibly so we can provide support when you need it most and improve the essential services that we all rely on, now and into the future.
This is an important workforce incentive to encourage more people to take up a career in the NSW Police Force.'
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said, “We owe a great debt of gratitude to NSW Police and this announcement makes it clear that the NSW Labor Government backs our police officers 100 per cent.
“I’m committed to improving working conditions, stopping our frontline workers quitting and attracting more people to these vital roles – that’s why we are introducing this new incentive for future police officers.”
“Police do an incredible job to keep us safe, but the truth is they are stretched and overworked, and we can’t fix that if we don’t recruit and retain more officers.
“We want to attract a diverse new cohort of NSW Police Officers, my message to anyone who has considered joining the NSW Police is that now is the time to apply.”
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said, "This is a historic day. NSWPF recruitment has been in the doldrums for years.
"I'm incredibly proud to be part of the team, along with Commissioner Webb, that has delivered this landmark reform for our trainee police.
"I want to thank the Police Association of NSW which has advocated tirelessly for this reform and been a huge support to me and the Government in seeing it delivered."
“This will be an enduring legacy of my time as Minister and Karen's as Commissioner. We're both very proud of it."
“I’ve heard many stories of people wanting to change careers and join the NSW Police Force but who simply cannot afford to train for four months without income. I’m thrilled that’s about to change.”
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb stated, “This announcement is a game changer for our organisation. Post Covid, recruitment in policing has suffered in Australia and across the world. Breaking down the barriers for people to leave one job and start with us without being financially disadvantaged is the most attractive incentive we’ve been able to offer for many years.”
“I can’t think of a more exciting announcement for the NSW Police Force and it comes at a time when I know all our current hard working, dedicated officers will be very relieved. The cavalry is coming!”
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to NSW Police and this announcement makes it clear that the NSW Labor Government backs our police officers 100 per cent.
“I’m committed to improving working conditions, stopping our frontline workers quitting and attracting more people to these vital roles – that’s why we are introducing this new incentive for future police officers.”
“Police do an incredible job to keep us safe, but the truth is they are stretched and overworked, and we can’t fix that if we don’t recruit and retain more officers.
“We want to attract a diverse new cohort of NSW Police Officers, my message to anyone who has considered joining the NSW Police is that now is the time to apply.”
Find out more about the application process at: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment/application_process