FIVE new graduates of the police academy have been welcomed to the Oxley Police District "family".
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The probationary constables come from all over the state, with four sticking around in Tamworth and one to be stationed in Gunnedah.
It's a welcome and "significant" boost for local police resources, district commander Superintendent Kylie Endemi said.
"We're really excited to welcome them into our family, and they will now go forward in terms of on-the-job training with experienced field teaching officers, who will guide them through the next 12 months," she said.
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With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world, the graduates missed out on their ceremony, but are sure to have an interesting start to their career.
"They certainly joined the NSW Police at an interesting time, in relation to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic," Superintendent Endemi said.
"They're well prepared, well equipped, and well trained in terms of some of the challenges that they're going to face."
New recuruits Bethany Lettoof, from Newcastle, and Ryan Smith, from Wollongong, have traded blue seas for a blue uniform, the coast for the country.
Mr Smith made the trip out to Gunnedah on Monday, where he'll be stationed for further training.
"I am excited, I just want to start and get to know the place," he said.
He visited Gunnedah for the very first time last week, and said he was impressed with the town's new police station.
"My dad's from the country, and he's told me about the lifestyle ... I'm keen to get going," he said.
Ms Lettoof will stay here in Tamworth, and has already expressed an interest in child protection.
"I've always wanted to be [a police officer] my whole life, and when I left school I worked in aged care for five years and then youth work for five years, and I just thought it was about time to join," she told the Leader.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson praised the new officers' bravery.
"It's a momentous decision to be able to say 'I'm going to put on my uniform, I'm going to serve my community, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability', because when we are running away, they are running in," he said.
"To be able to take on that task knowing full well what's in front of them, they are to be congratulated, they are to be thanked."
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
