NSW Police Legacy


NSW Police Legacy is a charitable organisation that was established in 1987 to care for the widows, widowers, partners and children of deceased members of the NSW Police Force. The charity was originally established with assistance from the NSW Premier, and the Police Association of New South Wales, enabling the organisation to set up in the Police Association’s building on Elizabeth Street in Sydney.
NSW Police Legacy has now expanded its reach to care also for the parents of deceased officers, special constables, serving and retired police facing difficult circumstances, and police officers who are moving into civilian life, via the BACKUP for Life program.

Fundraising

Apart from the BACKUP for Life program, NSW Police Legacy receives no government funding. It depends on donations and fundraising events to finance its programs. Major annual events the organisation runs include the Blue Ribbon Ball , the Remembrance Bike Ride, the annual Kokoda Trek, and the Police Boxing event.
There are numerous other small events held by individuals and Local Area Commands in support of the organisation.

Services

NSW Police Legacy supports its legatees through financial assistance in the form of education grants and scholarships, welfare grants to families or individuals facing need, retraining for returning to the workforce, and funding for counselling. It also provides social support in the form of camps for young legatees, parental support networks, welfare checks, local area lunches, Christmas lunches, annual family day, and remembrance days.

BACKUP for Life

In 2016, as a joint project of NSW Police Legacy and the NSW state government, the BACKUP for Life program was established. This program assists former police officers with mentoring and counselling services, career coaching and referrals, a careers incentive scheme, and assistance as they transition back into civilian life.