Friday, 1 March 2024
NSW Police Academy, Goulburn
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales

Thank you, Chief Superintendent.

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land upon which we meet today and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations people here this morning.

Minister, Member for Goulburn, Commissioner, Deputy and Assistant Commissioners, Mayor, Officers, family, friends, and, most importantly, Class 361 …

Today is an important occasion for each and every one of you, when your dreams have been realised and your hard work, enabling you to take this first step in your goal of becoming a New South Wales police officer, has come to fruition.  Thank you for making that decision to undertake your studies and for your commitment in completing your training here at the Academy.

I am sure you are proud of yourselves as we are proud of you, especially your families and friends who have been with you along this journey and will always be with you. 

The importance of the Police Force to the community of New South Wales cannot be understated.  It finds expression in the statute, the Police Act, passed by the NSW Parliament, the elected law-making body of our State, and that Act informs us that the mission of the New South Wales Police Force is ‘to work with the community to reduce violence, crime and fear’.

In brief, that means that every day, members of the NSW Police Force are providing an indispensable public service.  Because of the work of the NSW Police, we, as members of the community, can rest easy knowing that as we go about our everyday life you are working to keep us safe. As a citizen in this community, that gives great comfort.

As police officers there are values which you are required to uphold, and they are the values with which you will undertake your work for the whole of your careers. Included in those values are to: place integrity above all’, to ‘uphold the rule of law’ and to ‘preserve the rights and freedoms of individuals’. 

The work you will undertake as police officers will be diverse, interesting, rewarding and often challenging.  Wherever your police career takes you, every day will be a day of real responsibility as you serve the 8 million people of New South Wales, amongst other things responding to nearly 178,000 urgent calls a year. Your task is huge.

There will be times when you will be deeply affected by matters that occur which are not of your making.  Every police force and every police officer experiences that at some time. 

This week has been a difficult one for your police force. That in no way diminishes your achievements in attesting as a member of Class 361, nor your ideals which have brought you to today, all of which have made family, friends and community so proud.  

While serving and working with the community, remember you are also important members of our community, something celebrated last month at Government House during the presentation of the Royal Life Saving Awards.

Ten of the 17 awards were presented to serving Police officers for their courageous actions in attempting to save a life, in difficult circumstances. One award went to a Probationary Constable, just like you, for his actions in attempting to save the life of a truck driver following a crash on the Newell Highway. Two of the awards recognised actions of Police officers who were off-duty. 

In using their training, they did what was ‘right’ when called upon, despite the challenges they faced.

In speaking of community pride, and doing what is right, I acknowledge today the service of Detective Superintendent Kerrie Lewis who retires from the NSW Police Force after 39 years and will march off as part of today’s Parade.  Detective Superintendent Lewis, thank you for your police service.  I wish you well in your post- police activities.

Class 361, thank you for your commitment expressed in your oath and affirmations today. We are proud of you, we celebrate your achievement, and we have faith that you will duly execute your duties as an officer in the New South Wales Police Force with pride and with honour.  Congratulations!