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IPROWD closing the gap in NSW police force

2017 IPROWD Graduates
Eleven young Aboriginal students have graduated from the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program on 9 June at TAFE NSW Kurri Kurri.
 
The graduating Aboriginal students are from Newcastle, Port Stephens, the Lower Hunter and Mid-North Coast are part of more than 100 students across NSW that are a step closer to their dream of becoming a NSW Police officer.
 
Aboriginal leaders attended the event along with senior NSW Police officials, representatives of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, teachers, mentors, family and friends.
 
Proud Gamilaroi woman, Cassie Johnston was honoured with the 2017 Peter Gibbs Award at the ceremony for her leadership and dedication to her chosen career path. Cassie’s older brother works for the Queensland Police Force and has always wanted to be a police officer, although has only recently connected with her aboriginality.
 
The award is named after Mr Gibbs who was instrumental in developing the IPROWD program in an effort to enhance Police and Indigenous Community relations after his sister Fiona Gibbs died in police custody in 1997.
 
NSW Assistant Minister for Skills, Adam Marshall said Friday’s ceremony marks the completion of the first milestone before the graduates progress their journey to gain entry into the NSW Police Academy.
 
“The success of the IPROWD program over the past nine years is one example of how the NSW Government, through TAFE NSW, is working with employers and local Aboriginal communities across the state to deliver the best education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people,” Mr Marshall said.
 
“Since 2008, IPROWD has facilitated the career dreams of more than 833 students who have completed the program. Ninetyfive of these students have successfully entered the NSW Police Academy and are now employed by the NSW Police Force, while a further 450 have secured other employment or pursued further education in law, teaching, nursing and justice studies. There are currently 20 IPROWD students at the Academy.”
 
Students graduate with a Certificate III in Vocational and Study Pathways that covers Aboriginal studies, police studies, communication, computer skills, numeracy and literacy as well as excursions to sites including the Goulburn NSW Police Academy. IPROWD is supported by the Australian Government and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

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