SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
The NSW Police Force has today announced that all employees will now be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
The move follows the continued escalation of cases of the Delta COVID-19 strain in the State.
In a statement, NSW Police said the implementation of the mandatory vaccination regime for all police employees acknowledged the significant frontline role that NSW Police Force played in supporting the NSW Government’s response to COVID-19.
Corporate Services Deputy Commissioner, Karen Webb APM said the risk of transmission as well as the consequences of exposure of the virus posed a substantial risk to all staff.
“We know that the delta strain of this virus poses a significant risk to police officers and staff. Each day, we ask our officers to front up and perform their vital policing functions in this extremely challenging environment,” Deputy Commissioner Webb said.
“The only way to face that risk is by ensuring that COVID-19 vaccines are administered to all staff.”
The implementation of the vaccine program will be staged with the following rules:
• All NSW Police Force members must have received at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 30 September 2021.
• All NSW Police Force members must have received at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccination by 30 November 2021.
• Evidence of vaccination to be recorded to police systems to guide deployment, welfare and safety management.
“At last count, more than 17,000 police employees had already been fully or partially vaccinated. When we have full vaccination, we can ensure we provide a safe workplace for all,” she said.
Exemptions will be available for medical contraindications and other valid reasons, NSW Police said.
