NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione welcomed 170 new Probationary Constables into the NSW Police Force on Friday.

The students from “Class 322” of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice were sworn in at an Attestation ceremony at the NSW Police Force Academy in Goulburn earlier today.

The students attested with the rank of probationary constable and will report to their new stations for work on Monday (August 25).

They will then complete 12 months on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University before they officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice. The officers will then be confirmed to the rank of constable.

In a history-making union, the Commissioner was joined by the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor The Honorable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, to inspect the new recruits on the parade ground.

The attestation was Her Excellency’s first since being appointed Honorary Governor of NSW Police Force by Commissioner Scipione last month.

Commissioner Scipione said the appointment acknowledges Her Excellency’s significant contribution to the Force and associated charities whilst Governor of NSW.

“Her Excellency has long been a great supporter of the NSW Police Force; standing alongside us when we commemorate our milestones, celebrate bravery of officers and mourn our fallen colleagues,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“We recognised this support by welcoming Her Excellency into our police family as the Honorary Governor of the NSW Police Force.”

It was the first appointment of this rank in the history of the NSW Police Force.

“In addition to a Commissioner's Commendation for Service and the Commissioner's Sesquicentenary Unit Citation, we marked the occasion with a Colour Board and Her Excellency’s own NSW Police Force uniform,” Commissioner Scipione said.

Her Excellency wore the uniform for the attestation in honour of her role.

In addition, the ceremony saw four new police dogs and their handlers officially join the Dog Unit.

During the ceremony, Patron of the Dog Unit, Mrs Joy Scipione, presented commemorative Dog Unit pins to the handlers and welcomed the new police-dog teams into the Force.

The two German Shepherds and two Labradors successfully completed their specific training courses with their individual handlers to become qualified police dogs.

Ree and Joy are serving as Drug Detection dogs, which are trained to detect the odours of prohibited drugs, in a variety of surroundings and circumstances.

Marley and Samson are serving as General Purpose (GP) dogs, which are deployed to assist with tracking and apprehending offenders, searching for missing persons and property.

NSW Dog Unit Commander, Superintendent Donna Adney, said the new police-dog teams will provide invaluable assistance to frontline police across the state.

“The Dog Unit strives to provide exceptional service to the community by assisting police to reduce and deter crime, apprehend offenders, detect prohibited drugs, explosive and firearm odours, and search for missing or wanted persons,” Supt Adney said.

“Like the students of Class 322, these police dog teams have undergone rigorous training and proven they are mentally and physically capable of serving the community of NSW.

“I congratulate the handlers for their commitment to training and it is with great pleasure we welcome them and their dogs into the Dog Unit,” Supt Adney said.

The NSW Police Force Dog Unit was formed in 1932, but disbanded in 1954 before commencing modern day operations in 1979 and currently forms part of the NSW Police Force State Protection Group.

It is the largest police dog unit in Australia, with dog teams stationed in the Sydney Metropolitan region and major regional centres across the state, from Tweed Heads in the north to Wagga Wagga in the south and Dubbo in the west.

The Dog Unit also have a number of dogs in various stages of development and training, including German Shepherds, Malinois, Labradors and English Springer Spaniels.

Also at this mornings parade a retiring officer was farewelled following a distinguished career of more than 40 years.

Retired Assistant Commissioner Peter Dein APM marched off the parade ground to the salute of Commissioner Scipione, during the Attestation parade today.

During his 41-year career with the NSW Police Force, Assistant Commissioner Dein dedicated himself to major crime investigation and for the past six years, served as the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander.

Commissioner Scipione said Assistant Commissioner Dein epitomised a true detective.

“Throughout his career, Assistant Commissioner Dein approached every incident, task and case with passion and commitment to resolution,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“He devoted his time to investigating major crimes and developing principles for the most effective policing response to some of the most complicated crimes.

“Most importantly, he has consistently acted with integrity and inspired people around him, including his superiors, peers and those who reported to him.

“He has imparted an important legacy upon the Force and, on behalf of those who have had the privilege of serving alongside him, I would like to say thank you and wish him all the best in his retirement,” Commissioner Scipione said.