Largest-ever police recruit course skilling up to keep Tasmanians safe

Recruits in Tasmania Police’s largest-ever training cohort have just finished up defensive tactics, firearms and driving training and will now move onto training in the crucial area of family violence.

There are currently 77 recruits training across Hobart and Launceston – the largest ever intake in the service’s history.

The trainee Constables come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including a former legal assistant and a former overseas English teacher.

Today at the Police Academy, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, visited the recruits during their hands-on training.

“The family violence training is a key priority to ensure officers always provide victim-centric and trauma-informed responses to these terrible criminal acts,” he said.

“Policing is about having the physical skills in self-defence and high-level driving, but it’s also about caring for people in some of life’s toughest moments.”

Last year, northern-based training began for police recruits for the first time, and next month a pilot course will include a statewide in-field mentorship program.

“This innovation in recruitment has seen a rise in the number of people looking to join Tasmania Police,” Minister Ellis said.

“This is at a time when police jurisdictions around the country, and other employers, are competing for staff in a strong labour market.

“There have never been more officers in the State and the Rockliff Liberal Government is committed to keeping Tasmanians safe by boosting Tasmania Police to 1449 officers by 2026.

“Police officers make a difference to the Tasmanian community every day, which makes it a very rewarding career, and I would encourage anyone who has ever thought of joining the force to get in touch with Tasmania Police today.”

For more information, visit recruitment.police.tas.gov.au