Four new police officers have joined the local ranks this week after graduating from the Goulburn Police Academy last week.
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Two of the new probationary constables will be stationed at Inverell, while the other two will join the force at Armidale, bringing the total number of new officers in the New England Police District to 40 since the beginning of last year.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall welcomed the new recruits to the region and said they come at a particularly important time.
"They are arriving in their communities at a very important time and will lend valuable support to their colleagues already out there working to keep us all safe," he said.
"New England Police District continue to put downward pressure on crime with ongoing falls in crime rates across many communities, and these additional officers will only compliment an already strong force."
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller said the latest intake of probationary constables will provide a valuable boost to police resources as the state faces the threat of COVID-19.
"I welcome our newest police officers from Class 340 who attest at a very significant time. They will hit the ground running, and I want them to know that I have their back," he said.
Class 340 includes 177 men and 86 women. Some recruits entered the NSW Police Academy straight from school or university, while others left established professional careers and trades.
Thirty-one recruits were born overseas in countries including Italy, Afghanistan, USA, Thailand and Lebanon. Five recruits are Indigenous with two coming through the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program.
Unfortunately, the 263 new recruits from Class 340, were unable to celebrate in the usual way due to the ongoing restrictions.
"In these singular times of COVID-19, the attestation parade for these latest recruits was a private occasion, without friends and family, nor the usual parade," Mr Marshall said.
"I understand that the Commissioner Mick Fuller, along with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, will be making sure these recruits have a celebration fitting the occasion at a later date and when safe to do so."
The NSW Government has invested $583 million to introduce 1,500 extra police over the next four years, the biggest investment in police for more than 30 years.
