'Proud moment': Meet the newest crime-fighting recruits hitting our streets

A life of crime fighting awaits the 261 officers who today graduated from the New South Wales Police Academy in Goulburn.

“Class 337” consists of 176 men and 85 women, aged in their teens to their forties, from countries including China, Serbia, Ecuador and India.

They have spent the past eight months away from home, completing a gruelling mix of physical and educational training.

With that out of the way, it was time to celebrate with family and friends, before reporting for duty for the first time as probationary constables on Monday.

Among the graduates is 27-year-old Robert Jenkins, who will start his career at Quakers Hill.

As a young boy he dreamed of becoming an officer, just like his father Peter Jenkins, who is an Inspector at Hawkesbury.

“To share the parade ground with my son on his graduation day, it's very special moment,” the proud dad said.

“I wanted to do something better for the community and try and help out,” Robert Jenkins said.

The early memories came flooding back for Commissioner Mick Fuller who joined the ranks almost 32 years ago.

Speaking about the new recruits he said they were keen and had trained so hard.

“They’ve sacrificed so much,” he said.

While today marked a new chapter for Class 337, it marked the end of four very distinguished careers.

Detective Chief Superintendent Wayne Gordon APM, Detective Superintendent Michael Plotecki APM, Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Thomas and Chief Inspector Kim Sorensen APM have a combined service of 153 years.

“Mixed emotions is the best way to  describe it,” Det Supt Plotecki said.

“Certainly I'm very proud of having been in NSW police."

A very long and distinguished career that those graduating today can aspire to.