TAMWORTH’S new police officers will hit the city streets tomorrow after starting their first day on the job yesterday.
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The 11 probationary constables come from as near as Armidale and as far away as Darwin to start their new careers at the Tamworth Police Station after graduating from the NSW Police Academy last Friday. Among them are former labourers, defence force officers, dental technicians and farmers who left their former jobs to pursue a career in policing.
Meanwhile, the contents of Tamworth’s law-and-order petition, signed by nearly 18,000 people, will be debated in the NSW lower house on Thursday afternoon.
Four Tamworth regional councillors will sit in the public gallery as representatives of the council to witness the debate and, through their presence, show the parliament the seriousness of the community’s concerns.
But in Tamworth yesterday, the city’s new recruits were all showing their eagerness to get out on patrol.
The eldest of the group is 42-year-old father of four Michael Marriott, of Armidale, who has already adopted the name “Silver Fox” on his first day at the station.
Adam Taylor is 19 years old, was one of the youngest in his graduating class and came to Tamworth with the nickname “Joey”.
The duo join nine other probationary constables, including 31-year-old Maria Nolan, who is the only woman in the group.
Yesterday, the new constables were officially inducted into the Tamworth station, where they were assigned a field training officer to mentor them throughout their first year on the job.
They were officially welcomed by their colleagues with a barbecue before getting stuck into some station training and learning the in-house rules.
Tamworth education officer Shayne Lees said the group would start their patrol duties tomorrow.
The constables are part of an allocation of 12 extra officers to Tamworth announced by NSW Police Minister Mike Gallacher in March, with the 12th expected to complete studies at the Goulburn academy in August.
Acting Oxley local area commander Inspector Phil O’Reilly said the group were welcomed into the station with open arms.
“It’s an exciting time for the new recruits to join us on the 150th anniversary year of the police force,” he said.
“Our 11 new officers are enthusiastic and committed to carrying on the proud traditions of the NSW Police Force in shaping our community for the better.”
The new officers were met at the station yesterday by member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, who welcomed them to the city.
“Recently, I spent a Friday night shift at the Tamworth Police Station and saw first-hand the excellent work that they do. It gave me a greater understanding of how the community relies on them and how difficult, yet rewarding, it can be. Again I thank our local police officers for the incredible job they do in serving our local community and I am thrilled that there are 11 new police officers to boost the ranks,” Mr Anderson said.
