Media Release: Extra Police Numbers Key Community Safe
The Police Association of New South Wales (PANSW) welcomes the last tranche of 1500 police, announced by Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole, who will join general duties and specialist police units across the state with a focus on targeting organized crime, domestic violence, and terrorism.
The PANSW consulted extensively with the Deputy Premier, the NSW Police Force, branches and police commands across the state to ensure staff would be strategically delivered to areas in most need of resourcing.
“I am pleased that the NSW Government has worked collaboratively with us to achieve this outcome,” PANSW President Kevin Morton said.
“This investment in resources will increase operational capacity in metropolitan and regional areas.
“More men and women in blue on the streets will enhance our ability to tackle crime, monitor known offenders and continue to protect the vulnerable within our communities.”
The new positions will see additional officers added to Police Area Commands and Police Districts across the state, bolstering general duties and specialist units in some of NSW’s fastest-growing areas including:
• 54 for the Sydney Metropolitan Area including 10 officers for the Hills District and additional numbers for the Mount Druitt and Nepean Police Area Commands
• 42 for the Northern Region including 10 additional officers in the Manning Great Lakes and the Mid North Coast Police Districts
Specialist units and commands have been bolstered with the following allocations:
• State Crime Command – 41, with 30 positions for the Raptor Squad and 11 positions for the Organised Crime Squad to help tackle gangland and high level organised crime
• Police Prosecutions – 35, including 20 training positions to achieve conviction outcomes
• Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics – 19, with nine positions for the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit in country locations and 10 positions for the Tactical Operations Group
• High Risk Domestic Violence Team – 15 to proactively target and investigate high-risk domestic violence offenders
• Rural Crime Investigators – 10 additional investigators to investigate stock and equipment theft on farms
The final allocation of positions delivers on the State Government’s $583 million commitment. In September 2018, The PANSW launched the Back the Blue campaign – calling for additional staff to fill state-wide vacancies. In November 2018, then- Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced an additional 1500 police over four years - the largest injection of police in 30 years.
Media contact: Alana Mew, 0419 929 722