A record $5.5 billion will be allocated to NSW Police over the next financial year, including a wave of new technological additions, it has been announced.

NSW Police continues to grow.
Photo: TGA

‘Keeping communities safe’.

RECORD FUNDING ANNOUNCED

New South Wales Police have received a significant boost in the latest state budget, with the total amount of funding for the force set to reach a record $5.5 billion over the 2022/23 period.

The funds will go towards upgrading and delivering new stations, building and training facilities, bringing in new officers and more, Deputy Premier and Police Minister Paul Toole announced.

“The NSW government is committed to providing our 22,000 sworn police officers and staff with world-class infrastructure and equipment to ensure they have all the tools they need to stay ahead of the game when it comes to tackling crime,” Toole said.

The budget includes $54.3 million for upgrades at the Goulburn Police Academy, an active armed offender training facility in Dapto, and the NSW Police Firearms registry in Tweed Heads.

Also included will be $95.9 million spent on bringing in another 550 police officers to join the force in 2022/23, as part of the government’s commitment to recruit 1,500 officers in four years.

$18.6 million over four years will go towards replacing specialised police vehicles, and another $16.6 million over five years will for new transport vehicles for people in custody.

Funds will also go to building new police stations in Byron Bay, Port Macquarie and Blayney.

NSW Police Acting Commissioner, David Hudson, said the multi-billion dollar investment would continue the ‘modernisation of the police force’.

“The funding announced today will significantly improve the capability of our general duties and specialist police officers resulting in improved community safety across the state.”

More militarisation, greater numbers, and more scope. A common theme of continuous police upgrades in recent decades since the hysteria of the 9/11 War on Terror era.

Technology will also be a heavy focus of this new era of funding, including programs with new forensics, gadgets, and technological capabilities.