The NSW Police Force has announced all its employees will now be required to be fully-vaccinated for COVID-19 by the end of November.

According to police, the decision to mandate vaccination across all staff follows the escalation of the delta strain of COVID-19 in NSW and the significant risk the virus poses to both employees and the broader community.

The implementation of the mandatory vaccination regime for all police employees acknowledges the significant frontline role that NSW Police Force has in the state-wide emergency response to the virus.

Corporate Services Deputy Commissioner Karen Webb APM said the risk of transmission as well as the consequences of exposure to 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.”

According to NSW Police, the vaccination mandate will be rolled out in two stages, with all staff required to have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Thursday 30 September and have received their second by Tuesday 30 November.

Evidence of all staff vaccinations will also 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,” Deputy Commissioner Webb said.

Exemptions for this mandate will be available for staff with medical contraindications and other valid reasons for not receiving the vaccine.