SECURITY for Wagga courthouse users has been boosted with one new probationary sheriff's officer allocated.
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The officer is a Wagga woman who began her full-time duties on Monday and is part of more than 280 sheriff's officers responsible for court security, administering the jury system and performing seizures and evictions.
The move comes as part of 18 new officers who joined the NSW Sheriff's Office last Friday after taking their oaths to begin their new careers.
Wagga Courthouse is one of 11 regional locations to receive additional officers.
NSW Sheriff Tracey Hall said the graduates have taken part in seven weeks of rigorous training at the University of Western Sydney.
"Every day as a sheriff's officer is different, with new challenges and rewarding experiences," Ms Hall said.
"The training is focused on communication skills to resolve conflicts in the courthouse without force, but if called upon they are also trained in defensive tactics," Ms Hall said.
She said there are more regional appointments to be made following the current recruitment process, which finishes in December.
"There are vacancies still at Griffith, Orange and Broken Hill," Ms Hall said.
Attorney General Mark Speakman congratulated each of the graduates at a ceremony at Sydney's Downing Centre court complex.
"Strengthening security at major regional courthouses is critical to ensuring we can continue to protect all court users, including victims of crime, witnesses, the judiciary and the staff who support them," Mr Speakman said.
Four of the new sheriff's officers have been appointed as part of the state government's $150 million package to help ease pressure on district courts, which includes seven additional judges.
The 18 probationary officers have a range of employment backgrounds and achievements, including massage therapy, Fire and Rescue NSW, landscape gardening, Royal Australian Navy, Corrective Services, truck driving and carpentry.