The latter won out and the now Superintendent said he hadn't regretted one day of a rich and diverse career.

"It was the ability to work with the community that really resonated with me," he told The Post.

Superintendent Lindsay has been appointed as the new NSW Police Academy principal, replacing Superintendent Rod Smith, who left in late June.

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Just one week into the role, he's re-familiarised himself with the institution where he undertook his own training just over 27 years ago.

"I can put myself in the shoes of the students. It was a different program back then," he said.

After growing up on a farm in the Wollongong area, Superintendent Lindsay embraced the chance to work in the regions. Since joining the Force he has worked mainly in general duties and Highway Patrol, most recently as Superintendent - Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Operations, based in the Northern Rivers.

Earlier in his career, in 2000/01, he was seconded to the Australian Federal Police and served as a UN police officer in East Timor. The Australians assisted investigations, general policing and building the newly independent nation's own Force. Superintendent Lindsay described it as a "phenomenal experience."

Later, he worked largely in the state's northern and southern regional areas and was appointed state operations manager of the Dog Unit. As district commander at Richmond Police District up until 2020, Superintendent Lindsay helped steer the fire, flood and COVID response.

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The Police Academy post came out of left field after spending most of his career in general duties and operational roles.

"It was an opportunity offered to me and I grabbed it with both hands because it's a chance to see another side of policing and to contribute to students' training," he said.

"It's an exciting challenge. We have two classes here currently and the willingness and positivity of the students is pretty incredible...Their eagerness to become police officers is very encouraging."

The new principal wants to continue the "strong work" of his predecessors in turning out "confident and professional police officers" who have a community focus. Having worked in the regions for most of his career, Superintendent Lindsay said he understood the importance of police being part of the community and doing the right thing by it.

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He arrives at a time of modernisation, thanks to a $60 million state government allocation in the 2020/21 budget. The money will be used to refurbish teaching areas, classrooms, accommodation areas, and the pistol range to make them more user-friendly. Other training facilities will also be improved.

"It's an element of the role that excites me the most. The government and NSW Police are fully committed to the Academy," he said.

"My role is to implement the master plan and to future proof the place."

Some facilities, including accommodation date back almost half a century. The improvements, due for completion by the end of 2023, will be guided by Superintendent Rod Smith, now Commander of the Police Properties Group.

"We couldn't have a better ally," Superintendent Lindsay said.

The Goulburn Post also understands the city's new police station will be constructed on the Police Academy site. However this is part of a separate budget allocation.

On another front, the new principal said he was also firmly focused on keeping students and the community safe amid the COVID pandemic. The Academy has "robust" policies in place, on which he is well briefed. As such, modified attestation parades have become part of life.

"It's disappointing for the students but at Friday's parade they were still as proud as punch," he said.

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As for the future, Superintendent Smith told The Post he was keen to maintain the Academy's solid relationship with the Goulburn community and even entice more locals to the training program.

He plans to stay in the role for a few years yet.

"It's been a fantastic and diverse career with many opportunities. It's a matter of doing your best in whatever role you have," Superintendent Smith said.

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