Police around the country have gathered to remember fallen comrades on National Police Remembrance Day in a period of heightened tension.

Hundreds of NSW officers lined up alongside dignitaries, family and friends at a ceremony at the Police Remembrance wall in Sydney’s Domain on Monday.

• ‘There will be raised tensions’: police chief

Together they honoured the 252 officers who have died on the frontline since the state’s police force was established in 1862.

No new names have been added to the list this year. However, the recent double-stabbing of two officers in Melbourne hung heavy on people’s minds.

The last NSW officer to have died on duty was Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson, killed in a Sydney knife attack in December 2012.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione. Photo:Twitter

“Every day that goes by since we lost an officer means we’re one day closer to the next loss of an officer,” NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione told reporters.

“Freedom doesn’t come for free. There’s a price to be paid and everyone that’s got their name on their wall gave more than their fair share.”

Police Minister Stuart Ayres and opposition leader John Robertson joined outgoing NSW Governor Marie Bashir in laying wreaths at the memorial wall.

Decked out in full police uniform, Dame Marie addressed the crowd and spoke of the enormous toll the deaths of police officers have on the community.

It was her last official duty as governor before stepping down on Wednesday.

Defence force chief General David Hurley will become the 38th Governor of NSW.