The Hunter Valley police district missed out on any probationary constables, who started in their new positions this week.

Only three of the trainee officers, who graduated from the Police Academy on Friday, were allocated to the Hunter while 80 per cent were sent to Sydney stations.

A NSW Police spokesperson said new recruits were predominantly allocated to commands with vacant positions, taking into account their operational strength.

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr acknowledged that in a recent meeting with the NSW Police Association, union representatives did say there were a “whole host of empty spots” that had not been filled in Sydney.

But Mr Barr also said the new police re-engineering model had brought in a new focus on allocating police to where the crime trends occur.

“When you look at the ratio of crime incidents per police officer, there is no higher area than the Coalfields,” he said. “If you look at crime statistics, it would make sense to get the police out to the regional areas.”

Mr Barr said he was “disappointed, but not surprised” to see that no new recruits were on their way to Cessnock.

“Whenever there is a graduating class, you always hope you’re going to get one or three or more,” he said.

He said the re-engineering model had been in place for almost 12 months, and that “if that is ever going to be realised, then this area needs a heck of a lot more cops”.

“The re-engineering model will have failed if there isn’t a lot more cops allocated here,” he said.

“There is a question of speed – is it while they’re building the new police station? Does it come as a priority at the expense of filling vacant positions in Sydney?

“I do have faith in the re-engineering process. It just has to come. If not, something has gone terribly, terribly wrong.”

Mr Barr said some of the gaps in the Hunter Valley district could be filled by improving areas other than police numbers.

For example, he said the current Cessnock Police Station does not have holding cells, meaning police are being forced to spend time transferring arrested people to Maitland and Newcastle, taking at least an hour out of the shift.

“We’ve got a jail here, the police should be able to take an arrested person to the jail to be held temporarily then be straight back out on the beat,” he said.

“In theory, that could be fixed without the need for extra resources. 

“We need to cover the gaps made by the process.”

However Mr Barr said that problem also pointed back to a need for more police positions.

“The new police station will have holding cells, but the staff have to be there to supervise,” he said.

“When we get a new police station, this district will have a really strong case for more police.”

The NSW Police spokesperson said they were continuing to “review police numbers according to operational requirements to ensure communities are served and supported by their local officers”.

“Police numbers are subject to fluctuations due to recruitment, resignation and retirement, sick and annual leave, as well as training and special operations,” the spokesperson said.

“The re-engineering model has allowed for a more flexible and mobile workforce, meaning officers are allocated where and when they are needed.”