NSW Premier's Column: 1,500 new police As the Premier of NSW, ensuring families are safe is my Government’s highest priority. Recently, I was pleased to announce that the NSW Government will be delivering 1,500 new police – the biggest single increase for the NSW Police Force in more than 30 years – as part of a record investment to keep our community safe. This investment of more than $583 million over four years will bolster police numbers and increase the Force’s crime fighting capability. Since 2011, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has already delivered more than 1000 new police and the increase of a further 1,500 will put more police where they are most needed – out on the frontline, tackling crime across the state. NSW Commissioner of Police Mick Fuller has provided the Government with a resourcing blueprint for the NSW Police Force that focuses on proactive and high visibility policing. This increase in police numbers will ensure the NSW Police Force has the resources it needs to continue to drive down crime rates and protect the community. NSW has some of the lowest crime rates in 20 years and, with an extra 1,500 police, our police force will be able to meet future crime challenges head on. The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s careful economic management is enabling us to make record investments in our frontline services and this delivery of 1500 new police is another example of our hard work paying off for the community. The elderly are also at greater risk of crime. To combat this cowardly crime, each and every command will also receive a specialist Elder Abuse Prevention Officer. The safety of families will always be my Government’s highest priority. |