Their boots were black and shiny, their shirts were nicely ironed and they've got their gear.
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Now seven new probationary constables have had their first day as policemen of the Wollongong District Command on Monday.
Four more joined Lake Illawarra District Command.
The new recruits graduated from 12 months of on-the-job training and study at the Police Academy on Friday.
Wollongong Superintendent Chris Craner was excited to have "seven new kids on the block" walking and riding around the streets.
"I can put my beats and bikes teams together," he said. "I can also send more staff out to the northern suburbs.
"People will see police on bikes a lot more frequently. I want shop owners to know who their local cop is and who is walking their beat."
The probationary constables will be tasked to first response duties such as attending domestic violence assaults and car accidents.
Supt Craner said the new staff would help the command be "proactive" and focus on preventing and disrupting crime.
He asked for new staff to help reinvigorate the police station.
"When I joined the cops 30 years ago, it was to lock people up," Supt Craner said. "The probationary constables are soon going to learn it is not about locking people up.
"You certainly have to lock a few up but it is about prevention such as diverting youth away from crime. I will have them down with me on a Wednesday morning at PCYC doing the Rise Up program.
"The constables are stoked and so are the sergeants. It is exciting for the leading senior constables to train people.
"We are all looking forward to having new staff."
Southern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar said there were 41 probationary constables allocated to the southern region.
"They are all enthusiastic and they are all chewing at the bit to get out there and to do their policing," he said
"These 41 police will enhance the police districts' capability to continue providing more effective and efficient support to our community by responding to calls for assistance.
"We will be able to continue to build on our existing strategies of crime prevention."
Assistant Commissioner Cassar said 41 new recruits was more graduates than had been previously been allocated to the region.
He said the recruits would have to learn and value the diverse needs of the communities they serve and adapt to emerging crime trends and techniques.
"Now it is all about building their capabilities.
"They will be teamed up with an experienced officer for a period time with a view of making them independent, capable and a resource for our community."
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