Would-be NSW Police recruits ‘can’t afford’ $17k Academy application

The NSW Police Force has a $17,000 problem, and the union boss warning of a critical shortage of new recruits amid the cancellation of next month’s class.

NSW is facing a massive shortage of police recruits because potential trainees are forced to spend thousands of dollars just to apply for the job and even more once they begin training.

Kevin Morton, the newly appointed head of the Police Association of NSW, said the situation was so critical, the next intake of new officers in June has been cancelled because there are not enough applicants willing to cough up around $17,000 to qualify.

“We’re missing out on quality potential police officers in this state because people simply can’t afford the application process,” Mr Morton said in his address to the association’s conference in Wollongong.

“As a result we’re staring down the barrel of a serious police shortage in this state in the very near future.”

In a draft copy of his speech to be delivered today in front of the NSW Police Minister Paul Toole and Police Commissioner Karen Webb he called for a total overhaul of the way police trainees are being charged to become cops.

(File image) Graduating police constables during the graduation parade at the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn. Picture: AAP Image/Alan Porritt

“NSW is the only jurisdiction in the country, and perhaps the world, where potential police have to fork out thousands of dollars and spend months of their lives training just to apply to be in the police force,” Mr Morton will say.

“There’s not even a guarantee of a job at the end of it, so it’s no wonder people aren’t applying. We should be looking to attract the best and brightest, not just those who can afford it. You shouldn’t have to choose between paying your mortgage and looking after your family or joining the police.”

The new head of the Police Association will call on Police Minister Paul Toole and Commissioner Karen Webb to overhaul the application cost. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Before applying to become a NSW police officer, potential recruits are required to obtain a University Certificate in workplace essentials from Charles Sturt University costing $1728 if paid in advance or $2160 if incurred as a student loan payable through HECS.

They are then forced to pay around $15,000 plus board while they undertake the nine-month training course at the Goulburn Police Academy.

Many senior police and association members say the procedure is also putting off older people with life experience from applying, even those in their mid 20s.

“You’ve got cops going through the application process who are forced to live away from their families and live under quite strict rules, which can include not leaving the training facilities, and they’re not even getting paid for it – in fact, they’re paying out of their life savings to do it,” Mr Morton said.

“The system in NSW is set up to effectively block anyone who doesn’t have a lot of savings or responsibilities from entering the police. We should be encouraging people with life experience into the job, not discouraging them.”