STUDENT numbers are dwindling at the NSW Police Academy.
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From classes of 400 in 2012 to just 109 in May this year, numbers alone paint a picture of a Force in a slump.
In an interview with the Post on Wednesday, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the decrease came down to a number of factors.
Attributing to the decline are historical low levels of officers leaving the NSW Police - from an average of 80 per month to just 20.
“(Low student numbers) is an issue that is linked to a couple of things. First and foremost we always train to replace those who are retiring, leaving, changing careers or those who fall ill and can’t work anymore,” Comm. Scipione said.
“Attrition numbers at the moment are at a historical low. We are not losing people, they are choosing to stay with us. But, that doesn’t mean it all stops.
“People are choosing to make policing a career for longer. Of course, the other thing that drives the numbers are announcements by the Government.”
As such, the average age of officers is on the rise.
“The force is ageing,” Comm. Scipione said.
“The average age of an officer that throws their hat in the air is 27. The average age in the NSW Police Force is 37. Half of us are 37 years of age or older.
“The workforce is changing and it’s changing for the better, meaning a lot of those young recruits are bringing more life experience.”