The local area’s police force has grown stronger by nine, after new officers joined Penrith and St Marys Local Area Commands.
Of the 157 new recruits sworn in to the NSW Police Force on Friday, December 13, three have been stationed in Penrith and six sworn to protect the St Marys local area.
The officers of different age groups, backgrounds and areas were welcomed to their new stations on Monday, December 16 and are already on the job.
Penrith’s new recruits Danielle Munt, Matthew Buckley and Chris Brooks are as enthusiastic as they come.
“[Being a police officer] is not just about being out there to stop the crime but also to make a difference in people’s lives where you can – like be in a position where you can make a difference,” 29-year-old Probationary Constable Buckley said.
“You are not just an every day person that helps an old lady across the road, you actually get more opportunity to show who you really are as a person.”
From the Dog Squad to the Police Proactive Unit, there are hundreds of avenues the new officers can take, with all keen on getting to experience each area over the next 12 months.
Probationary Constable Munt has her eye on the Drug Squad.
“Every day you see the trauma that drugs have on the community and the people around that particular person, so if you can make that little, tiny difference and get that one supplier off the street then you are potentially saving hundreds of lives,” she said.
New probationary constables can be stationed anywhere across NSW however, all three of Penrith’s had the local station as one of their preferences, after hearing only positive feedback about the staff and area itself.
“This is a good place to learn – there are a lot of things to do here,” Probationary Constable Brooks, 24, said.
Joining the ranks at St Marys were Probationary Constables Robert Hicks, David Hulse, Karen Barclay, Mitchell Miller, Steven Albee and Benjamin Abbott.
