52 new police officers join WA Police Force

  • Fifty-two new officers have been welcomed into the Western Australian Police Force by Police Minister Paul Papalia and outgoing Commissioner Chris Dawson
  • Family, friends and loved ones assembled to cheer on 34 men and 18 women from Grey and Green Squads as they graduated training at the Joondalup academy last night.

    The recent reinforcement to the ranks marks another milestone in the McGowan Government’s commitment to put more police on Western Australian streets than ever before.

    509 people have already joined the blue family as a result of the State Government’s commitment to enlist 950 new officers to the force over four years.

    And the recruits who last night celebrated the completion of their 28-week intensive foundation training course continue to come from a range of backgrounds with a variety of life experience.

    The youngest graduate last night was just 20 years old: the oldest, 49 years old.

    Three of the officers are Aboriginal, nine originate from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and five can speak another language.

    Among last night’s graduates was Bailey Haywood, grandson of the late Senior Constable Geoffrey William Haywood.

    The recruit was presented with a WA Police Force Service Medal, awarded posthumously to his grandfather.

    Also honoured last night were seven police officers who have recently been medically retired.

    As stated by Police Minister Paul Papalia:

    “I am incredibly proud to welcome these new recruits to the WA Police Force and to honour those outgoing officers who have served and protected our community here in WA.

    “This graduation marks another milestone in the McGowan Government’s commitment to putting more officers on the streets than ever before.

    “We are committed to doing our best to keeping the community safe. That’s why we have allocated record funding to make sure our police are the best, and have the best at their disposal.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.