DIRE POLICE NUMBERS REVEALED
Media release by Paul Toole,NSW Shadow Minisiter for the Police
Police shortages across NSW are worsening under the Minns Labor Government with the number of police officers working in this state hitting a record low.
In Question Time today the Minister for Police was questioned by the Shadow Minister for Police on having record low police officer numbers under her watch.
It was revealed the NSW Police Force is a staggering 5,622 less boots on the ground. The total number of officers employed in this state has dropped by thousands each year since the Labor Government was sworn in.
Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said policing in NSW was 17,659 officers strong as of June 2022 under the former NSW Coalition Government.
“The NSW Police Force is operating under serious strain and the shortfall has grown even more under Minister Catley. In the past five months alone, the Minister has lost another 932 officers,” Mr Toole said.
“In real terms this means, less boots on the ground patrolling our streets, less officers available to answer calls for help and an extreme amount of stress and pressure on the officers still working to make up for staffing gaps.”
Despite the Police Minister’s contradictory praise for the Labor Government’s efforts in recruitment and retention, it is clear this is not the reality.
“On top of the thousands of officers that have walked out the door, there is a growing number of officers taking leave for extended periods and health reasons showing the reality is our cops aren’t coping, and our once world class police force is perishing under Minister Catley’s lack of leadership.
“NSW residents expect and deserve a well-resourced, responsive police force. Under Labor, public confidence is eroding, and frontline policing is being left to fail.”
Three months on from the NSW Police Commissioner’s resignation no replacement has been announced leaving NSW Police without permanent leadership and an uncertain future in what is already a challenging time for all officers of the force.
