NSW: New police recruits to graduate at Goulburn

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2009
NSW: New police recruits to graduate at Goulburn

SYDNEY, Aug 28 AAP - Three recruits from remote Aboriginal communities will be sworn
in at a NSW Police graduation ceremony on Friday, with Commissioner Andrew Scipione saying
each overcame "considerable personal hardship".

A total of 174 new recruits will be sworn at 11am (AEST) at the police college in Goulburn,
with NSW Police making much of their diverse backgrounds.

Many come from non-English speaking backgrounds or were born overseas, with 17 fluent
in a second language such as Arabic and Chinese.

Six also hail from a Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander background, with three
graduates of the Indigenous Police Recruitment Out West Delivery Program (IPROWD).

The IPROWD program was set up in 2008 by Western Region police and Western TAFE to
support potential recruits from remote Aboriginal communities.

It not only provides police training, but classes in numeracy and literacy, fitness
and health, and communication skills.

Mr Scipione was full of praise for the three IPROWD recruits - 20-year-olds Josh Scharkie
and Michael Stephenson, and Leroy Bates, 21.

"Some of the participants have overcome considerable hardship in their lives to participate
in the program," he said.

"Looking at the three young men attesting as police officers today, I see their pride
and admire their personal achievement."

New recruit Mr Scharkie said his goal was to one day become a detective.

"If you're thinking of joining the police force, then just do it," he urged others
living in remote communities.

"In IPROWD, you are in a group of people in the same situation as yourself and you're
supported throughout the whole experience."

Prior to the attestation ceremony, a memorial dedication will take place for police
dog Fidel at the college's Dog and Horse Memorial.

Fidel was impaled on a steel bollard while police investigated a break-and-enter at
Birchgrove Public School last October.

"Police Dog Fidel was only 19 months old when his life was cut short," Mr Scipione said.

"He played an integral role in supporting frontline police at the incident at Birchgrove
School, and the dedication today pays tribute to the sacrifice he has made."

Three police dogs, Monty, Abel and Dein, will also graduate at Friday's ceremony.

Of the 174 new recruits, 45 are women and 129 men.

And while the majority fall within the 18-30 age bracket, 10 are aged 36-40, while
nine are 41 or older.

On graduation most will be stationed across Sydney, but 36 will be posted to the north,
south or west of the state.

"Our new recruits bring energy and vigour to take the Force into the future," Mr Scipione said.

"Their experiences, background and skills, as well as their dreams and hopes, will
help them to achieve successful policing careers."

AAP ab/evt/cjb

KEYWORD: ACADEMY

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.