Why NSW could face a shortage of police officers
-
Loading... - Lisa Pereenboom
- 25 May 2022
- 300 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
NSW could face a shortage of police officers as recruits give up or move interstate because it’s too expensive to become a cop, the president of the state’s police union says.
Kevin Morton told the Police Association of NSW conference on Tuesday that the cost of training was prohibitive.
NSW is the only state where aspiring cops have to spend thousands of dollars and months of their lives to join the force, he told the conference that was attended by the police minister and commissioner.
Watch the latest News on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>
He says it’s putting off people who have other responsibilities or not enough money.
Prospective cops stump up about $17,000 during their recruitment and training.
‘Absolute disgrace’: Election day tactic set to be investigated
Why a 50-year old statue of Captain Cook is being removed from QLD city
“We’re missing out on quality potential police officers in this state because people simply can’t afford the application process,” Morton said.
Aspiring recruits first have to complete a university certificate course in workforce essentials before they can even apply to join the force.
Successful applicants then have to spend more money during the almost nine-month training course at Goulburn Police Academy, where they can be restricted to the training facility and separated from their families.
“They’re not even getting paid for it - in fact, they’re paying out of their life savings to do it,” Morton says.
The state has cancelled the next scheduled training course for new officers in June because not enough people applied, and is staring down the barrel of a shortage of officers, he says.
Police Minister Paul Toole rejected the claim cost was putting people off joining the force.
“We’ve already got six classes that have been running down at the academy for new officers coming through,” he said.
The NSW government promised an additional 1500 police officers over four years in 2018 and 950 had already joined the force, he said. Read More...
