The Liberal Government’s long term plan to rebuild essential services has been bolstered today with the graduation of 19 new police constables.
The constables, who graduated from the Tasmania Police Academy, will hit the beat on Monday in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.
These newest members of Tasmania’s police force take front-line numbers to 1120.
This underscores how serious the Liberal Government is about bringing police numbers back up to 1228 officers within our first term.
More frontline police on the streets will assist in restoring business confidence, and in turn growing the economy and jobs.
It is not acceptable that we now have less police per capita than when Labor came to power 16 years ago.
That’s why last month we brought forward the next recruit course which will commence later this month.
Twenty new recruits will begin their course on May 19 and will graduate in December, ready for the busy summer period.
Expressions of interest are also currently being sought for a July intake of recruits, who will graduate in February next year.
I wish today’s graduates every success in their new and rewarding career.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management
