NSW police officers are getting a 3.5 per pay rise and better access to health support services as part of a $100 million effort to boost recruitment and retention.
Police Minister Paul Toole says $79m will go towards a new mental and physical health program as a result of the "landmark agreement" between the government and the police union to provide better care for officers throughout their careers.
"Police run towards danger when the natural instinct is to run the other way - and that carries with it a toll that can be both physical and mental," Mr Toole said when announcing the deal on Wednesday.
"Our force make a commitment to spend their days on the frontline keeping our community safe.
"This is our commitment to make sure we do the same for them and take care of them at every stage of their career."
As part of the agreement, officers will have access to mental health clinicians, nurses, dieticians and strength and conditioning coaches, as well as career transition teams to help them move back into civilian life at the end of their police career.
Officers will also receive an additional 0.5 per cent pay increase from 2023-24, on top of the existing three per cent negotiated for 2022-23.
The pay increase offered to police was a result of productivity gains identified by the government, NSW Police and the police union.
Productivity reforms include the introduction of flexible hours but Mr Toole stressed savings would not come at the cost of police carrying out their duties.
"If you think that our police are going to be showing less presence out there, the answer is that's not going to occur," he told reporters.
The new funding includes $27m over five years to attract more police officers and retain existing ones, especially in regional and remote areas.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb called the $100m investment "the biggest announcement I've seen in my career".
"Our people are our biggest asset and this investment recognises that and ensures we put the right support around them from their first day on the job to their last," she said.
NSW Police Association acting president Ian Allwood said he was "satisfied at this stage" with the pay increase offered to the union and hailed the health package as "life-changing".
