MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has welcomed six new probationary constables to the region, including four for Moree.
The new constables will start their careers in the New England Police District next week after graduating from the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn.
Four will be based in Moree with another two in Inverell, including father-daughter duo Steve Romer and Ebony Baxter who are both from Inverell.
They are part of a cohort of more than 300 recruits who graduated from the Academy on Friday.
“I would like to congratulate the six new recruits who will begin their police careers in the Northern Tablelands,” Mr Moylan said.
“A career in the police force is a significant commitment and I commend the new recruits for choosing this path.
“It is also excellent to see locals return to their hometown of Inverell to serve the community.
“Well done to each and every one of them and I am sure they will be welcomed and supported by the Northern Tablelands community.”
As part of their appointments, the probationary constables will receive 12 months of valuable on-the-job training and study by distance through Charles Sturt University.
Probationary Constables Steven Romer, 50, and Ebony Baxter, 25, are from Inverell and are father and daughter.
They applied for the Academy, trained and attested together.
“We studied together, we trained together and we are going to make it out of (the Academy) on the same day,” probationary constable Baxter said.
“I’m privileged to be able to go home (to Inverell),” she said.
Probationary Constable Romer worked as a mechanic for decades but has always wanted to become a police officer. He applied 10 years ago but deferred, deciding he could not be away from his family and job while his children were young.
He said being paid and returning to his regional community to work had made the transition to becoming a police officer much easier.
“The fact I can be paid now is definitely a big thing,” he said.
“I am country born and bred and I wanted to be back out there. I’d like to be out there where my family is.”
Probationary Constable Romer will be stationed at Moree. Probationary Constable Baxter will return to Inverell.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT CLASS 365
A total of 302 recruits were sworn in today.
The class comprises 221 men and 81 women.
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable. Recruits will report to stations around the state for work on Monday 5 May 2025.
They will then complete 12 months’ on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University.
They officially graduate with an associate degree in Policing Practice once they have passed all academic and operation standards. The officers will then be confirmed to the rank of constable.
While many recruits are Australian-born, this year the graduating cohort is also made up of students from diverse backgrounds.
Thirteen recruits are First Nations; 267 were born in Australia; and 35 were born overseas.
Their countries of origin include England, China, India, Iraq, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, South Korea, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fiji, French Polynesia, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Republic of Macedonia, Syria and Wales.
The recruits speak 15 different languages.
