THE NSW Police Force has welcomed 182 police recruits after they were sworn-in as probationary constables at a private attestation ceremony, held in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions, in Goulburn last week.

Eight new probationary constables have been assigned to Lower-Hunter Police Districts.

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Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott congratulated the recruits who are starting their new careers in times of unprecedented challenges.

“Congratulations to the men and women of class 348, who graduate today and will join the NSW Police Force when it most needs versatile, adaptable officers,” Mr Elliott said.

“The career path you embark on today will test your courage, your resilience and your decision-making.

“You are joining a police family of more than 17,000; a modern, well-equipped force focused on driving down crime rates and protecting the community.

“The NSW Government will be there, too, to support you and ensure you have world-class training, and the technology and resources you need to best serve the people of NSW,” Mr Elliott said.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin welcomed the new police officers to the Port Stephens-Hunter and Newcastle City Police Districts.

“Some of the Force’s newest probationary constables have elected to come back to serve this community while others have chosen to start their careers in the Hunter district,” Mr Martin said.

“On behalf of our community, I am pleased to be able to welcome our newest police officers.”

Class 348 includes 121 men and 61 women.

Twenty-three recruits were born overseas in countries including Canada, China, Columbia, Fiji, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Syria, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Some recruits entered the NSW Police Academy straight from school or university, while others left established professional careers and trades.

Many are from backgrounds where English is a second language Assyrian, Arabic, Dari, Greek, Hindi, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Urdu.

Six recruits are Indigenous, with two recruits joining through the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program.