New cops for the Northern Rivers

Police say they have teamed up with Crime Stoppers for a New South Wales campaign targeting rural crime.

They say four main areas of concern are being targeted -illegal hunting,stock theft, trespassing and firearm theft.

Meanwhile, 57 newly graduated officers have joined police in the Northern region in what the state government says is the biggest investment in new police positions in 30 years.

The Tweed/Byron police district has four new officers, who Tweed/Byron Police District Commander, Acting Superintendent Michael Dempsey says will greatly benefit the wider region. 

‘As our population in the Tweed/Byron area grows, so too does demand,’ said Acting Supt Dempsey.

‘We are thrilled that these probationary constables will be making the Far North Coast their home for the next 12-months,’ he said, ‘four new recruits means more officers out in the community, helping to keep our region safe’. 

‘These new recruits are out in the field from day one, experiencing the whole Tweed/Byron District through general duties taskings.’

Meanwhile, Richmond Police District Superintendent Toby Lindsay has welcomed eight recruits further south, including one woman, for the team covering Lismore, Nimbin, Ballina and surrounds.

Six recruits have joined the team in Coffs Harbour.

Recruits were sworn in to the police force in Goulburn on Friday, 23^rdof August and start twelve months of field-training today.

They will start with 12months of field-based training.

‘After months of training away from their homes and families, this is the first step they will take in their long and fruitful careers with the NSW Police Force,’ Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said, ‘these new probationary constables will bolster the region numbers to record levels, and will instantly make a real difference to their communities’.