A total of fourteen new officers will be joining the Kiama and Shoalhaven communities over the next 12 months to walk the beat and respond to emergencies in the local community.
Five of these new police officers will be joining the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command and nine officers including one specialist child protection register officer will be joining the Shoalhaven Local Area Command.
NSW will be a safer state with the first allocation of the NSW Liberals & Nationals $583 million investment in extra police assigned to local stations and specialist areas to protect communities and fight crime.
“I’m thrilled our local community will be a safer place with this NSW Government investment boosting our Police Local Area Commands,” Mr Ward said.
“I am proud to welcome these men and women and wish them every success in their policing careers in the Kiama community. I make no apologies for backing our police who are cracking down on bad behaviour.”
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government was delivering record investment to frontline services for schools and hospitals, as well as police and emergency services.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said NSW has some of the lowest crime rates in 20 years, and the changing nature of crime meant it was vital more police were introduced into the ranks.
“This is a major boost to ensure police have the resources they need to protect the community. These officers include specialist police to deal with aged crime prevention, and to monitor offenders on the Child Protection Register,” Mr Elliott said.