Western Australia Police
Encyclopedia
The Western Australia Police services an area of 2.5 million square kilometres, the world's largest non-federated area of jurisdiction. In 2008, its 7,526 employees included 5,647 police officer
s.
by Captain
Stirling
in June 1829, as part of the proclamation of the Swan River Colony
. The proclamation provided for the appointment of a sheriff having under his direction a high constable, constables, bailiff
s and surveyors of highways. The sheriff still exists as an officer of the Western Australian Justice Department—no longer having police or highways under their jurisdiction. The sheriff retains responsibility for enforcement of court judgments and the administration of jury service. Police continue to carry out sheriff & bailiff duties, particularly in remote country locations.
Early colonial policemen were recruited by magistrates and worked part-time. They were paid only for specific tasks, such as one shilling
for serving a summons. By 1830, there were fifteen part-time constables in the state, of whom five worked in Perth.
A mounted force was established in 1834, proving unpopular with citizens on the grounds that it was not efficient and was being paid out of their taxes for duties which the military should be performing. It was involved in the "Battle of Pinjarra
", in which Captain Ellis, the Police Superintendent was killed together with a large number of Aboriginal people
. The first full-time constable for Perth was appointed in 1840.
The Legislative Council passed a police ordinance in 1849 that outlined police powers and responsibilities. An organised police force was formally established in 1853.
Applicants for police service were required to be aged under forty, literate and physically fit. Leave was difficult to obtain and officers were not to appear in public when out of uniform
. Until the end of the nineteenth century, the monthly pay day was marked by a parade with band.
A Criminal Investigation Department
was set up in 1873, although two detectives had been sent out from Britain
in 1854. A fingerprint bureau was set up in 1902 and the first female officer was appointed in 1921.
The Police Headquarters is located in East Perth
overlooking the Causeway
, near the WACA Ground
. The 1960s curved building also houses the East Perth Lockup and is entered on the State Heritage Register. Recruits are trained at the Western Australian Police Academy at Joondalup
. Previously the Academy was located at Maylands
, in premises still used by various units including the mounted
and K-9 (police dog)
sections. The Perth Police Station is located at Curtin House, Beaufort Street.
All police recruits begin their service as uniformed constables
The command structure has the state divided into three regions and sub-divided into fourteen districts. The highest-ranking police officer in the Western Australia Police holds the title of Commissioner
of Police. The current Commissioner is Karl O'Callaghan
, appointed in June 2004. Chris Dawson (Operations) is the deputy commissioner. Politically, the service comes within the portfolio of the Minister for Police.
A number of specialist units have been established, including the Tactical Response Group (TRG), Gang Crime Squad, Crime Investigation and Intelligence Services, Water Police, Traffic Enforcement Group, Specialist Police Motorcycle Unit, Regional Operations Group, Police Airwing and the Gold Stealing Detection Unit
.
from outside WA police ranks. In 1994, Victorian Bob Falconer APM
was imported from the Victoria Police where he had been a deputy commissioner. Falconer was effective in implementing the Delta Program designed to achieve organisational and cultural change. Falconer later argued that internal measures were inadequate and that a standing crime and corruption commission was necessary to combat police corruption. In 1999 Barry Matthews
, then a deputy commissioner of the New Zealand Police
, was appointed and served until 2004. Matthews was, however, succeeded in June 2004 by Dr Karl O'Callaghan APM, PhD
who had been employed in the WA service since age 17 and was one of the service's first officers to achieve a PhD.
, a component of the Counter-Terrorism and State Protection Group (CT&SP TRG). It is a civilian
body accountable under the state's police legislation (1892) and criminal code .
Since 1978, the Australian Government's
National Anti-Terrorism Plan has required each state police force to maintain a specialised counter-terrorist
and hostage-rescue
unit.
TRG officers are trained for high-risk physical situations. They provide support to WAPOL and other agencies . Such situations include dealing with armed offenders, attending siege
s and civil-disorder
incidents, protecting endangered witnesses, undertaking searches of premises, securing and escorting dangerous prisoners, heads of state, VIPs
and internationally protected persons, as well as the state's counter-terrorist responsibility. Specialist positions include marksmen, bomb technicians and negotiators .
The TRG is equipped with a wide range of less-lethal devices as well as specialist firearms and equipment for 'domestic' and counter-terrorist operations. Training includes tactical roping, fieldcraft, paramedical courses, the use of chemical, biological and radiological equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus and weapons. In October 2007 the TRG took delivery of a Lenco BearCat
armoured vehicle for use domestic high-risk situations such as sieges.
The TRG has in recent times also expanded its capability to respond to counter terrorist and high risk incidents in a maritime environment including specialist divers, swimmers and the ability to board ships and oil/gas platforms.
Electronic Control Device (ECD), often described in the media as a "less-than-lethal-force
" option.
Because of the weight of equipment carried on officers' belts, Western Australian uniformed officers are being progressively issued with equipment vests fitted with pockets to safely contain equipment including ammunition magazines for the service pistol, pepper spray
, baton
, handcuffs
, radio and mobile phone. The vests are navy blue in colour, although a fluorescent yellow version is worn for some operations. The Commissioner of Police has been reported as saying that his department will invest $A4 million to provide 1100 additional tasers, making a total of 1350 in use by officers.
Further specialised equipment is utilised by the TRG, as detailed in that section above.
The Police Air Wing provides support services to frontline police, including deployment of police personnel, crime detection and prevention, search & rescue and medical transfers.
The current fleet is composed of:
The Air Wing has a primary base at Jandakot Airport
, in addition to a PC-12 being based Karratha Airport
.
The Pilatus PC-12 is a single engine turbo-prop aeroplane, which can carry a maximum of eight passengers 1800 km (as far as Broome). It can cruise up to a height of 30000 ft (9,144 m) and can travel at approximately 500 km/h. The PC-12's primary role is to transport staff state-wide, but it can be utilised for search and rescue (SAR) and disaster relief efforts. The Cessna 182 is mainly used for surveillance and patrol work and can be fitted with a Leo400 FLIR unit. It is also used for inshore and land SAR searches.
The Kawasaki BK117 is a twin engine helicopter, which has been upgraded to B2 specification. Purchased in 1990, and known as Polair 61, the aircraft’s role is police patrol, surveillance, search and rescue and officer deployment. It is fitted with a Star Safire III FLIR unit with downlink capabilities, Avalex digital recorder, Avalex moving map system, 4 monitors, Wulfsberg tactical radio, Nitesun search light and a double lift 600 lb (272.2 kg) rescue winch. Forward Looking Infra-Red cameras track heat sources, such as a vehicle or human body in darkness and have a high powered zoom video camera for daylight hours.
In September 2011, the Police Air Wing took delivery of a new Eurocopter AS365 N3 helicopter. The cost of the new helicopter has been reported at $AU13 million for the helicopter, plus $AU9 million of equipment enhancements including Forward Looking Infra-Red cameras, winches, and live surveillance with downlink capabilities to the Police Operations Centre. The AS365 is slated to replace the BK117 as the primary helicopter for WA Police, with the BK117 to be retained for backup capabilities, and was delivered 2 months ahead of schedule to enable its use at CHOGM 2011
.
. The helicopter, an Aerospatiale AS355F1
, was destroyed after a fire started in the engine bay following ground impact. The Bureau of Air Safety Investigation report determined "The helicopter probably entered a vortex ring state during the final approach". No one died as a result of the crash.
plane crashed at night near the mining town of Newman
. The plane was returning from Kiwirrkurra, on the edge of the Gibson Desert
, when the aircraft's engines failed due to fuel starvation on the approach to Newman airstrip. The crash was the single biggest loss of police lives in West Australian history, and the first involving a police aircraft. The officers killed in the crash were: Senior Constable Donald Richard Everett 4600 – 49 years - Pilot of Karratha Police Airwing; Senior Constable Phillip Gavin Ruland 7877 – 32 years - Newman Police Station; First Class Constable David Adrian Dewar 9178 – 31 years - Newman Police Station; Constable Gavin Ashley Capes 10305 – 27 years - Newman Police Station
Crime:
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
s.
History
Early history
The genesis of the police was the appointment of a sheriffSheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
by Captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
Stirling
James Stirling (Australian governor)
Admiral Sir James Stirling RN was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. His enthusiasm and persistence persuaded the British Government to establish the Swan River Colony and he became the first Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Western Australia...
in June 1829, as part of the proclamation of the Swan River Colony
Swan River Colony
The Swan River Colony was a British settlement established in 1829 on the Swan River, in Western Australia. The name was a pars pro toto for Western Australia. In 1832, the colony was officially renamed Western Australia, when the colony's founding Lieutenant-Governor, Captain James Stirling,...
. The proclamation provided for the appointment of a sheriff having under his direction a high constable, constables, bailiff
Bailiff
A bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
s and surveyors of highways. The sheriff still exists as an officer of the Western Australian Justice Department—no longer having police or highways under their jurisdiction. The sheriff retains responsibility for enforcement of court judgments and the administration of jury service. Police continue to carry out sheriff & bailiff duties, particularly in remote country locations.
Early colonial policemen were recruited by magistrates and worked part-time. They were paid only for specific tasks, such as one shilling
Shilling
The shilling is a unit of currency used in some current and former British Commonwealth countries. The word shilling comes from scilling, an accounting term that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was deemed to be the value of a cow in Kent or a sheep elsewhere. The word is thought to derive...
for serving a summons. By 1830, there were fifteen part-time constables in the state, of whom five worked in Perth.
A mounted force was established in 1834, proving unpopular with citizens on the grounds that it was not efficient and was being paid out of their taxes for duties which the military should be performing. It was involved in the "Battle of Pinjarra
Battle of Pinjarra
The Battle of Pinjarra or Pinjarra Massacre was a conflict that occurred in Pinjarra, Western Australia between a group of 60 to 80 Australian Aborigines and a detachment of 25 soldiers and policemen led by Governor James Stirling in 1834...
", in which Captain Ellis, the Police Superintendent was killed together with a large number of Aboriginal people
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
. The first full-time constable for Perth was appointed in 1840.
The Legislative Council passed a police ordinance in 1849 that outlined police powers and responsibilities. An organised police force was formally established in 1853.
Convict period
After convicts started arriving in the colony in 1849, the police acquired the duties of registering and supervising the ticket-of-leave men. By 1870, after transportation had ceased, some 1,244 ticket-of-leave men had to be supervised by 146 police employees.Applicants for police service were required to be aged under forty, literate and physically fit. Leave was difficult to obtain and officers were not to appear in public when out of uniform
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
. Until the end of the nineteenth century, the monthly pay day was marked by a parade with band.
A Criminal Investigation Department
Criminal Investigation Department
The Crime Investigation Department is the branch of all Territorial police forces within the British Police and many other Commonwealth police forces, to which plain clothes detectives belong. It is thus distinct from the Uniformed Branch and the Special Branch.The Metropolitan Police Service CID,...
was set up in 1873, although two detectives had been sent out from Britain
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
in 1854. A fingerprint bureau was set up in 1902 and the first female officer was appointed in 1921.
Organisation
East Perth, Western Australia
East Perth is an inner suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located next to the Perth CBD.Primarily an industrial area in the early twentieth century, it was the location of the East Perth gas works, East Perth Power Station , the East Perth railway yard, and East Perth engine sheds.A considerable...
overlooking the Causeway
The Causeway
The Causeway is the name of the traffic crossing of the Swan River in Western Australia at the eastern end of Perth Water. Made up of two bridges on either side of Heirisson Island, the crossing links the City of Perth and Victoria Park....
, near the WACA Ground
WACA Ground
The WACA is a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. WACA are the initials of its owners and operators, the Western Australian Cricket Association....
. The 1960s curved building also houses the East Perth Lockup and is entered on the State Heritage Register. Recruits are trained at the Western Australian Police Academy at Joondalup
Joondalup, Western Australia
Joondalup is a regional metropolitan city within Perth, Western Australia, approximately north of Perth's central business district.It acts as the primary urban centre in Perth's outer northern suburbs.-History:...
. Previously the Academy was located at Maylands
Maylands, Western Australia
Maylands is a suburb located approximately northeast of Perth centred on the Midland railway line and located on the northern bank of the Swan River....
, in premises still used by various units including the mounted
Mounted police
Mounted police are police who patrol on horseback or camelback. They continue to serve in remote areas and in metropolitan areas where their day-to-day function may be picturesque or ceremonial, but they are also employed in crowd control because of their mobile mass and height advantage and...
and K-9 (police dog)
Police dog
A police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
sections. The Perth Police Station is located at Curtin House, Beaufort Street.
All police recruits begin their service as uniformed constables
The command structure has the state divided into three regions and sub-divided into fourteen districts. The highest-ranking police officer in the Western Australia Police holds the title of Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
of Police. The current Commissioner is Karl O'Callaghan
Karl O'Callaghan
Karl Joseph O'Callaghan is an Australian police officer serving since 2004 as the Western Australian Commissioner of Police.-Biography:O'Callaghan was born in 1956 in England...
, appointed in June 2004. Chris Dawson (Operations) is the deputy commissioner. Politically, the service comes within the portfolio of the Minister for Police.
A number of specialist units have been established, including the Tactical Response Group (TRG), Gang Crime Squad, Crime Investigation and Intelligence Services, Water Police, Traffic Enforcement Group, Specialist Police Motorcycle Unit, Regional Operations Group, Police Airwing and the Gold Stealing Detection Unit
Gold Stealing Detection Unit
The Gold Stealing Detection Unit , or Gold Stealing Detective Squad , is a special unit of the Western Australian Police, based in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia...
.
Commissioner of Police
Traditionally the Commissioner came from with in the service though in 1994 and 1999, police commissioners were head-huntedExecutive search
Executive search is the consultative process of recruiting individuals to fill senior executive positions in organizations. Executive search may be performed by an organization's board of directors, or by an outside executive search organization....
from outside WA police ranks. In 1994, Victorian Bob Falconer APM
Australian Police Medal
The Australian Police Medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force.The APM was introduced in 1986, and replaced the Imperial Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry and Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service....
was imported from the Victoria Police where he had been a deputy commissioner. Falconer was effective in implementing the Delta Program designed to achieve organisational and cultural change. Falconer later argued that internal measures were inadequate and that a standing crime and corruption commission was necessary to combat police corruption. In 1999 Barry Matthews
Barry Matthews
Barry Matthews was a Chief Executive of the New Zealand Department of Corrections. He replaced Mark G. Byers in February 2005. He himself was replaced by Ray Smith on December 25th, 2010....
, then a deputy commissioner of the New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
, was appointed and served until 2004. Matthews was, however, succeeded in June 2004 by Dr Karl O'Callaghan APM, PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
who had been employed in the WA service since age 17 and was one of the service's first officers to achieve a PhD.
Ranks
| Constable Constable A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:... |
First Class Constable |
Senior Constable |
Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... |
Senior Sergeant |
Inspector Inspector Inspector is both a police rank and an administrative position, both used in a number of contexts. However, it is not an equivalent rank in each police force.- Australia :... |
Superintendent Superintendent (police) Superintendent , often shortened to "super", is a rank in British police services and in most English-speaking Commonwealth nations. In many Commonwealth countries the full version is superintendent of police... |
Commander | Assistant Commissioner |
Deputy Commissioner |
Commissioner |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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 |
Tactical Response Group
The Tactical Response Group (TRG) is a Police Tactical GroupPolice Tactical Group
Police tactical groups , formerly known as "police assault groups", are part of the Australian government's National Anti-Terrorism Plan which, since 1978, has required each state and territory police force to maintain a specialised counter-terrorist and hostage rescue unit jointly funded by the...
, a component of the Counter-Terrorism and State Protection Group (CT&SP TRG). It is a civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
body accountable under the state's police legislation (1892) and criminal code .
Since 1978, the Australian Government's
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
National Anti-Terrorism Plan has required each state police force to maintain a specialised counter-terrorist
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
and hostage-rescue
Hostage crisis
A hostage crisis develops when one or more terrorists or criminals hold people against their will and try to hold off the authorities by force, threatening to kill the hostages if provoked or attacked....
unit.
TRG officers are trained for high-risk physical situations. They provide support to WAPOL and other agencies . Such situations include dealing with armed offenders, attending siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
s and civil-disorder
Civil disorder
Civil disorder, also known as civil unrest or civil strife, is a broad term that is typically used by law enforcement to describe one or more forms of disturbance caused by a group of people. Civil disturbance is typically a symptom of, and a form of protest against, major socio-political problems;...
incidents, protecting endangered witnesses, undertaking searches of premises, securing and escorting dangerous prisoners, heads of state, VIPs
Very Important Person
A Very Important Person, or VIP is a person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance.Examples include celebrities, heads of state/heads of government, major employers, high rollers, politicians, high-level corporate officers, wealthy individuals, or any other...
and internationally protected persons, as well as the state's counter-terrorist responsibility. Specialist positions include marksmen, bomb technicians and negotiators .
The TRG is equipped with a wide range of less-lethal devices as well as specialist firearms and equipment for 'domestic' and counter-terrorist operations. Training includes tactical roping, fieldcraft, paramedical courses, the use of chemical, biological and radiological equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus and weapons. In October 2007 the TRG took delivery of a Lenco BearCat
Lenco BearCat
The Lenco BearCat is a wheeled armored personnel carrier in use with numerous military and law enforcement agencies.-History:Since 1981 the Massachusetts based Lenco Industries, known as Lenco Armoured Vehicles has designed and manufactured armored vehicles for Law Enforcement, Military, Government...
armoured vehicle for use domestic high-risk situations such as sieges.
The TRG has in recent times also expanded its capability to respond to counter terrorist and high risk incidents in a maritime environment including specialist divers, swimmers and the ability to board ships and oil/gas platforms.
Equipment and weaponry
All officers are armed when on duty. The standard firearm is the Glock 22 pistol. Officers also carry the X-26 TaserTaser
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
Electronic Control Device (ECD), often described in the media as a "less-than-lethal-force
Less-lethal weapon
Non-lethal weapons, also called less-lethal weapons, less-than-lethal weapons, non-deadly weapons, compliance weapons, or pain-inducing weapons are weapons intended to be less likely to kill a living target than are conventional weapons...
" option.
Because of the weight of equipment carried on officers' belts, Western Australian uniformed officers are being progressively issued with equipment vests fitted with pockets to safely contain equipment including ammunition magazines for the service pistol, pepper spray
Pepper spray
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
, baton
Baton (law enforcement)
A truncheon or baton is essentially a club of less than arm's length made of wood, plastic, or metal...
, handcuffs
Handcuffs
Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...
, radio and mobile phone. The vests are navy blue in colour, although a fluorescent yellow version is worn for some operations. The Commissioner of Police has been reported as saying that his department will invest $A4 million to provide 1100 additional tasers, making a total of 1350 in use by officers.
Further specialised equipment is utilised by the TRG, as detailed in that section above.
Police Air Wing
The current fleet is composed of:
- Helicopters
- one twin-engine Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin N3 for special operations, transport and rescue;
- one twin-engine Kawasaki BK117MBB/Kawasaki BK117The MBB/Kawasaki BK117 is a twin-engined medium utility–transport helicopter. It was a joint development between Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm of Germany and Kawasaki of Japan. MBB was later purchased by Daimler-Benz and eventually became a part of Eurocopter. The BK117 is popular for passenger and...
for general operations and backup capability
- Fixed-wing
- one single-engine Cessna 182 Skylane
- two single-engine Pilatus PC-12Pilatus PC-12The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The main market for the aircraft is corporate transport and regional airliner operators.-Design and development:...
The Air Wing has a primary base at Jandakot Airport
Jandakot Airport
Jandakot Airport is an Australian general aviation airport located in Jandakot, Western Australia. Jandakot airport opened in 1963. From 1 July 1998, Jandakot Airport Holdings purchased a 50-year lease with a 49-year option to operate and maintain the airport including its conservation...
, in addition to a PC-12 being based Karratha Airport
Karratha Airport
Karratha Airport is an airport in Karratha, Western Australia. The airport is 14 km from Karratha and 8 km from Dampier. The airport was opened in December 1983, and upgraded in 1998. The Karratha Airport is the second busiest Airport in Western Australia with Perth Airport being the busiest...
.
The Pilatus PC-12 is a single engine turbo-prop aeroplane, which can carry a maximum of eight passengers 1800 km (as far as Broome). It can cruise up to a height of 30000 ft (9,144 m) and can travel at approximately 500 km/h. The PC-12's primary role is to transport staff state-wide, but it can be utilised for search and rescue (SAR) and disaster relief efforts. The Cessna 182 is mainly used for surveillance and patrol work and can be fitted with a Leo400 FLIR unit. It is also used for inshore and land SAR searches.
In September 2011, the Police Air Wing took delivery of a new Eurocopter AS365 N3 helicopter. The cost of the new helicopter has been reported at $AU13 million for the helicopter, plus $AU9 million of equipment enhancements including Forward Looking Infra-Red cameras, winches, and live surveillance with downlink capabilities to the Police Operations Centre. The AS365 is slated to replace the BK117 as the primary helicopter for WA Police, with the BK117 to be retained for backup capabilities, and was delivered 2 months ahead of schedule to enable its use at CHOGM 2011
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011, commonly known as CHOGM 2011, was the twenty-second Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations...
.
Polair One Crash
On 8 May 1992, the Polair One helicopter crashed while attempting to land on a sports oval for a public display in KelmscottKelmscott, Western Australia
Kelmscott is a southeastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Armadale, and it is located southeast of Perth along Albany Highway....
. The helicopter, an Aerospatiale AS355F1
Eurocopter AS355
The Eurocopter AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale...
, was destroyed after a fire started in the engine bay following ground impact. The Bureau of Air Safety Investigation report determined "The helicopter probably entered a vortex ring state during the final approach". No one died as a result of the crash.
Newman Plane Crash
On the 26 January 2001, four police officers lost their lives when their Cessna 310RCessna 310
The Cessna 310 is an American six-seat, low-wing, twin-engined monoplane that was produced by Cessna between 1954 and 1980. It was the first twin-engined aircraft that Cessna put into production after World War II.-Development:...
plane crashed at night near the mining town of Newman
Newman, Western Australia
Newman, located about 1186 km north of Perth and 9 km north of the Tropic of Capricorn, is a town in the Pilbara region. It can be reached by the Great Northern Highway...
. The plane was returning from Kiwirrkurra, on the edge of the Gibson Desert
Gibson Desert
The Gibson Desert covers a large dry area in the state of Western Australia and is still largely in an almost "pristine" state. It is about in size, making it the 5th largest desert in Australia, after the Great Sandy, Great Victoria, Tanami and Simpson deserts.-Location and description:The Gibson...
, when the aircraft's engines failed due to fuel starvation on the approach to Newman airstrip. The crash was the single biggest loss of police lives in West Australian history, and the first involving a police aircraft. The officers killed in the crash were: Senior Constable Donald Richard Everett 4600 – 49 years - Pilot of Karratha Police Airwing; Senior Constable Phillip Gavin Ruland 7877 – 32 years - Newman Police Station; First Class Constable David Adrian Dewar 9178 – 31 years - Newman Police Station; Constable Gavin Ashley Capes 10305 – 27 years - Newman Police Station
2002 Royal commission
Throughout the 1990s there was widespread public concern about police activities and perceived shortcomings in internal integrity, resulting in development by the Labor parliamentary opposition of draft terms of reference for a proposed royal commission. In 2002, the Kennedy Royal commission commenced to examine aspects of the behaviour and culture of the service. It concluded in 2004, finding that
...the full range of corrupt or criminal conduct from stealing to assaults, perjury, drug dealing and the improper disclosure of confidential information have been examined. [the Western Australian Police force] has been ineffective in monitoring those events and modifying its procedures to deal with that conduct and to prevent its repetition.
...The fact that there remain in WAPS a number of officers who participated in this conduct, and who not only refused to admit it, but also uniformly denied it with vehemence, is a matter of concern.
Death in custody
The royal commission investigated the death of 18-year-old Stephen Wardle, who died whilst in custody in the East Perth lockup .. The commission's report noted:
"The royal commission has no authority under its terms of reference to go beyond the determination of whether or not there has been criminal or corrupt conduct by any Police officer with respect to the death of Stephen Wardle. The evidence does not sustain any contention that there was corrupt or criminal conduct by any Police officer or officers in relation to his death"
Taser misuse scandal
In September 2010 a video was released where numerous police officers tasered a man 13 times while inside a police station. The incident sparked world wide publicity and renewed debate about the inclusion of tasers in the police force and officers' excessive use of it.See also
- Constable CareConstable CareConstable Care is a community awareness mascot originally used by the Western Australia Police to inform primary school children about basic safety issues...
- Western Australia Police Pipe BandWestern Australia Police Pipe BandThe Western Australia Police Pipe Band is a grade one pipe band based in Perth, Australia.The Officer In Charge of the Band is Brett Bale and the Pipe Major is Paul Hughes.-History:...
Crime:
- Crime in Western AustraliaCrime in Western AustraliaCrime in Western Australia is fought by the Western Australia Police and the Western Australia court system.-Crime statistics:As at December 2004, Western Australia recorded lower rates than most other states in Australia for violent offences, but was the highest State for burglary in 2003...
Sources
- Western Australia Police Annual Reports (Series from 2001)
- Western Australian Year Book 1974.
- Lieutenant-Governor Stirling's Proclamation of the Colony, 18 June 1829 (UK)
- Western Australia Police Service 2003
- WA Parliamentary Select Committee on the Western Australian Police Service Interim Report, June 1996