Communities across the NSW North Coast are set to see a boost in frontline policing, with 65 new probationary constables joining the Northern Region as part of the largest graduating class in more than a decade.
Class 367, comprising 341 recruits, attested at the Goulburn Police Academy this week – the third record-breaking intake of 2025. According to the State Government, the milestone reflects the success of its recruitment and wage reforms aimed at rebuilding the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) after years of under-resourcing.
The new officers will begin 12 months of on-the-job training from Monday, serving in general duties roles across the state. For the North Coast, that means fresh boots on the ground in coastal towns and regional centres from Tweed Heads and Byron Bay to Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the latest cohort is the result of sustained efforts to revitalise policing numbers, particularly in regional areas.
“Policing is an incredibly rewarding yet challenging career and each one of today’s 341 recruits is stepping up with integrity, professionalism and dedication,” Minister Catley said.
“Class 367 is proof that the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to rebuild the NSWPF are working. We are paying recruits to train, offering pathways to serve in or near their regional hometown after attesting and backing them every step of the way – there’s never been a better time to join the NSW Police Force.”
The government’s “Be a Cop in Your Hometown” program has been a key driver of regional recruitment, allowing recruits from regional and rural backgrounds to return to their communities after graduation. Fifty members of Class 367 took up the opportunity to serve in or near their hometown – a move expected to ease chronic police shortages in regional NSW.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon welcomed the milestone, with this year’s graduating numbers surpassing 1,000 for the first time in over a decade.
“The newest class of probationary officers represents the next generation of policing in NSW, and I have every confidence in their ability to serve our communities with professionalism and integrity,” Commissioner Lanyon said.
“Recruitment at this scale means we can meet the needs of a growing state, boost our frontline services, and uphold the trust and safety of communities across NSW.”
The Northern Region, which includes key North Coast districts, continues to face unique challenges related to population growth, housing stress, and drug-related crime. Local leaders have long raised concerns about police resourcing and response times, particularly in rapidly growing coastal communities and remote hinterland areas.
The State Government says it is addressing these pressures through a package of reforms, including:
- A first-in-Australia initiative to pay recruits during their training, which has led to a 70% increase in applications;
- A Professional Mobility Program to attract experienced officers from interstate and New Zealand;
- A Cadet Traineeship Program for young people looking to enter the force directly from school;
- A new Health, Safety and Wellbeing Command, aimed at supporting officer retention and mental health.
Since introducing a major police pay rise in November 2024, the government says 1,255 recruits have joined the force – more than double the number compared to the previous 12-month period. It has also continued to criticise the former Coalition Government for presiding over what it describes as 12 years of neglect, wage suppression, and mass resignations from the force.
The newest class includes 248 men and 93 women aged between 19 and 54, including 14 First Nations officers and recruits born in 19 different countries. Many come from diverse backgrounds in hospitality, trades, and other professions, adding to the force’s goal of better reflecting the communities it serves.
While the extra numbers will be welcomed across the North Coast, challenges remain. Local police representatives have stressed that retention, housing affordability for officers, and sustainable long-term infrastructure investment are just as critical as new recruits.
The NSW Government has signalled it is aware of those issues, but maintains that the latest class represents a strong step forward.
As the newest officers begin work in North Coast stations this week, residents and local police commands alike will be watching closely to see whether the pressure on local policing eases – and whether recent reforms translate into longer-term community safety outcomes.
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