The Richmond Police District (RPD) welcomed seven new Probationary Constables yesterday at the Lismore Police Station in Zadoc Street.

The seven are part of Class 364, which consists of 298 graduates from the Goulburn Academy, the largest class in ten years. Another ten will be completing their 12 months of on-the-job training at Tweed/Byron. Six of the seven (one was ill) enjoyed an induction day in Lismore.

Superintendent Scott Tanner told the Lismore App this is the largest intake he has received in the four years heading up the RPD.

"There were a lot of vacancies, that's why they've been on the big recruitment drive. So, these seven will just come into positions that are already here. It's not an additional strength, but it certainly is additional boots on the ground for us."

This group of young recruits graduated from the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn last week. They were the final group before the Be A Cop in Your Hometown gets underway in 2025.

This means the recruits had to nominate five NSW Police districts they would like to work, including city stations. If they don't like the preference they have have given they get two weeks to initiate a swap with another recruit.

Two of the six we talked to are local Northern Rivers residents, while the others came from a mix of areas, including Western Sydney.

"Just growing up here, and it's a nice area. It's busy but not too busy, as opposed to the city," Jarrod Thompson said, "I thought it would be a good place to learn and get on my feet to start off with."

"Knowing that my family is nearby definitely helps, especially if it gets difficult because the four months I was at the academy, I didn't get to see them."

Ben Wilton added, "I think this is the best part of Australia, like in the Northern Rivers, the coast and stuff. My family's here as well, and I'm pretty family-oriented. So, it's good to have the family sitting around."

Even the non-locals, like Nathan and Cooper from Western Sydney, knew people in the Northern Rivers and decided to put RPD down as their top option.

The two grew up together, went to school together and now will spend the next three years together in the Northern Rivers as part of their first stint in the NSW Police Force.

The first 12 months is the probationary period. If they pass the requirements, both academic and operational, they'll get their hook and be confirmed officers.

Acting Sergeant Michaela Smidt said once the three year tenure is up, the new recruits can put in for transfer.

"Unless they're applying for a hard to fill position, which sometimes you only need two and a half years tenure," Acting Sergeant Smidt said.

As for accommodation, which you might expect to be difficult to get, none have had a problem. Some are staying with family, one at Ocean Shores and another at Tweed doing the daily commute, while others are staying with family or renting in Evans Head or house sharing in Byron Bay.

All seven were raving about being paid to do their training at the NSW Police Academy. The approximate $1,360 per week gave some the opportunity to be able to join the police force as they could continue to pay off a mortgage or keep paying their rent for their young families while they are away for four months.

Four Probationary Constables will be based at the Lismore Police Station, two in Casino and one will be in Ballina for the next three years.

You may well see Calib, Jarrod, Ben, Quinn, Nathan, Cooper or Jordan on the streets today; it is straight on the job after induction day. If you do, welcome them to Lismore and the Northern Rivers.