The Police Association says it's pleasantly surprised at the surge in new recruits. 

Recruitment numbers have soared in the past year, with five and a half thousand applications in the first eight months of the year. 

President Chris Cahill says one reason behind it is the state of the economy, and policing is seen as a place of stable employment. 

He told Heather du Plessis-Allan some rule changes for recruitment have also helped, such as only needing a full license by the time they reach police college, instead of upon applying.  

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