A hiring blitz to boost the nation's largest policing unit appears to be paying off, with the largest class in a decade bolstering an under-staffed force.
NSW Police has been battling crippling officer shortages, leading to more than 2000 vacancies as many experienced employees leave their jobs.
But powerful incentives such as a once-in-generation pay deal and a commitment to pay recruits while in training was "turning the tide" of the flow of officers exiting the 16,000-strong force, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said on Friday.
"People now want to join the force," she told reporters from Goulburn Police Academy, where 298 constables graduated on Friday.
"Class 364 is the largest attesting class in a decade ... next year is set to be even bigger, with more than 1000 recruits attesting."
The officers, who will be deployed to police stations across the state on Monday, were paid while completing their 16-week course under incentives that began in March.
A total of 218 men and 80 women aged between 18 and 52 completed eight months of training.
It was the third class to benefit from the NSW government’s paid study allowance during their training at the academy.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb described the graduation class as a "significant milestone" in rebuilding the force.
"There is no better time to be a NSW Police officer ... and you get paid more," she said.
Police Assocation of NSW members recently overwhelmingly voted in favour of a wage deal that jacked up most wages by at least 25 per cent over four years.
Mid-tier police officers will get a $750 bump to their weekly pay by mid-2027 while senior officers net a $5400 one-off leadership retention payment.
