TASMANIA Police numbers look set to expand, with an extra intake of recruits due to start training next month.
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Twenty prospective officers will be put through their paces from May 19, soon after the current class of trainees graduates.
Expressions of interest have today opened for a further intake in July.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Rene Hidding said announcing the additional recruits was the first step in rebuilding officer numbers to 1228 within the government's first term in office.
``After so many years of attrition and of active cuts to the police service, we're at a level that we think Tasmanians are uncomfortable with,'' Mr Hidding said.
``It's exciting to know that over the next 12 months there will be three graduating courses from this academy, filtering into all areas of Tasmania, rejuvenating and revitalising the police service in Tasmania.''
Police Commissioner Darren Hine said Tasmania Police had planning in place to ensure it met the recruitment target.
``In the next couple of years we anticipate about two courses of 20 [trainees] will take care of natural attrition,'' Mr Hine said.
``And one extra course to help us build up towards the 1128 police officers.''
Mr Hine said he expected quite a number of people to apply for the new positions.
He said growing officer numbers would help boost the capacity of the public order response team and aid in tackling organised crime.