Constables Bradley Ferguson, Nicholas Shiels, Chloe Whitehouse-Ferris and Steven Garret said they were excited to get started after completing the eight month police academy program. 

“It’s really good, I’ve always wanted to come to the Orana Mid-Western Police District, it’s a very good area, it’s good to be here.” 

“The training was excellent, we really learnt a lot at the academy, they really focused on training us to a high standard,” Constable Ferguson said.

“It’s good to be in a country town, compared to a big city where you get lost among all the people, here you get to know the people,” Constable Shiels said. 

Constable Whitehouse-Ferris said it had been a long journey and was excited to get started and Constable Garret said his main priority was to help make Dubbo a safer place for everyone.

Orana Mid-Western Police District Commander Superintendent Peter McKenna said it was an exciting time for the new recruits who will be partnered with senior police officers for on-the-job training.

“Many of the senior police here look back to our first day and remember it with great memories and trepidation of going into this roles, and the excitement that comes with it,” Supt. McKenna said. 

“These four young officers are about to embark on a journey which will have lots of ups and downs. 

“They’ll see the best and the worst in people, they’re going to have to cope with tragic events, but also the fact they’re helping the good people in the community will be very rewarding for them. 

“The fact of the matter is they’re police officers as of right now, they’ve got guns on their hips, they’ve got all the powers of police officers and they’ll be expected to use them.”