More than 750 policing students will be eligible to celebrate the completion of their probationary training at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) policing graduation ceremony to commence at 10.30am on Wednesday 25 July.

 

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione will congratulate the CSU graduates as they take the stage to receive their well-earned awards during the ceremony at the Hills Centre, in Castle Hill, Sydney.

 

The Associate Degree in Policing Practice graduates who have completed their initial training will be joined by over 60 graduates from postgraduate courses offered through the University’s Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security. They will receive Master, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate awards in such areas as police management, terrorism and security, fire investigation, fraud and financial investigation and emergency management (see more on courses here).

 

Head of Charles Sturt University’s School of Policing, Associate Professor Rosemary Woolston, said graduation was a significant achievement in the career of these officers. “It marks their progression to the status of constable and recognises their transition from raw recruits into professional, reflective police practitioners.”

 

Chief Superintendant Julie Middlemiss, Principal of the NSW Police Academy, Goulburn outlined that the communities of NSW are justifiably proud of those who it entrusts with its protection and the officers themselves wear the community’s pride in their daily duties.  

 

“The journey from student officer to professional police officer is a lifelong and life changing endeavour that is paved with significant landmarks – each in its own way marking the labours, achievements and development of that officer,” Superintendant Middlemiss said.

 

Associate Professor Woolston and Chief Superintendent Middlemiss agreed that the two year associate degree equipped graduates for their immediate role as police officers and provided a solid foundation to further advance their police careers

 

Sergeant Linda Bradbury will receive the Bachelor of Policing Prize from the Police Association of NSW, an award for excellence in academic achievement. A NSW Police officer for the past 14 years, Sergeant Bradbury is currently stationed at Macquarie Fields in south west Sydney, completing her course over three years via distance education. “I wanted to further my career and realised I needed to study to do it. I loved studying by distance education as I could do it at my own pace and at a time that suited me, and I could also use what I studied in my work. I now have three children aged between nine years and three months old. My second child grew up on my lap while I studied,” said Sergeant Bradbury, who is now enrolled in the CSU Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management. Sergeant Bradbury will give the vote of thanks on behalf of all graduates during the Graduation ceremony.

 

 

Most police graduates begin at the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn where they undertake eight months of intensive study before attesting. Others complete a significant amount of their study via distance education. All graduates complete an additional 12-month probationary period.

 

While studying, the students learn policing skills through simulated exercises and begin their foundation studies in law, communications and tactical training.  They progress to more advanced study and practical training in the second session of study at the Academy, including firearms and driver training.

 

After leaving the Academy, officers continue their study by distance education as well as working full-time as newly appointed probationary constable, balancing their home life with their new career.