❓ A WA parliamentary question on police numbers and staffing levels in each district as of June 30, 2003, and the Minister's response providing data and highlighting staffing increases under the Gallop Government.
AnsweredQoN 1752Legislative Assembly
Asked
12 August 2003
Member
Portfolio
Police and Emergency Services; Justice; Community Safety
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Will the Minister advise the police numbers (per head of population ratio) for each district in Western Australia as at 30 June 2003?
(2) Will the Minister advise the authorised strength of sworn Police Officers for each Policing district in Western Australia as at 30 June 2003?
(3) Will the Minister advise the actual number of sworn Police Officers that were working in each Policing district in Western Australia as at 30 June 2003?
(4) Will the Minister advise in numerical and percentage terms how many Police Stations in Western Australia were operating below their authorised strength of Police Officers as at 30 June 2003?
(2) Will the Minister advise the authorised strength of sworn Police Officers for each Policing district in Western Australia as at 30 June 2003?
(3) Will the Minister advise the actual number of sworn Police Officers that were working in each Policing district in Western Australia as at 30 June 2003?
(4) Will the Minister advise in numerical and percentage terms how many Police Stations in Western Australia were operating below their authorised strength of Police Officers as at 30 June 2003?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 November 2003
Responded by
Minister for Police and Emergency Services; Justice; Community Safety
Response time
99 days
(1 – 3) The Commissioner of Police allocates resources at a District level to staff Police Stations and provide additional support across the District to meet operational/community needs. Outlined are the authorised strength, police to population ratios (calculated using June 2001 population data which the Police Service advise is the latest available) and actual number of sworn officers at a District level as at 30 June 2003. DISTRICT POLICE TO AUTHORISED ACTUAL SWORN POPULATION STRENGTH – (HEADCOUNT) RATIO CENTRAL METROPOLITAN 1:242 501 FTE 470 EAST METROPOLITAN 1:790 230 FTE 230 NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN 1:910 264 FTE 296 SOUTH EAST METROPOLITAN 1:743 414 FTE 414 SOUTH METROPOLITAN 1:764 386 FTE 375 WEST METROPOLITAN 1:794 297 FTE 286 GREAT SOUTHERN 1:432 169 FTE 164 PEEL 1:682 113 FTE 114 SOUTH WEST 1:629 205 FTE 211 WHEATBELT 1:350 148 FTE 140 GOLDFIELDS- ESPERANCE 1:283 201 190 KIMBERLEY 1:235 142 140 MID WEST GASCOYNE 1:286 203 192 PILBARA 1:249 170 161 As at 30 June 2003 there were 182 Recruits undergoing training at the Police Academy and will be allocated to Districts on graduation. (4) In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, not one extra police officer was employed and the authorised strength of the Police Service remained static at 4, 698. At 30 June 2000, the authorised strength was 4, 698 and the actual strength was 4, 708. By 31 July 2001, only six months after the election of the Gallop Government, authorised strength had increased to 4, 748 (an increase of 50) and the actual employment level had increased to 4, 838, or 90 officers above the authorised strength. By 31 October 2003, the Gallop Government had increased authorised strength by 115 to 4, 813 and actual strength is 4, 830. Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
Outlined are the authorised strength, police to population ratios (calculated using June 2001 population data which the Police Service advise is the latest available) and actual number of sworn officers at a District level as at 30 June 2003. DISTRICT POLICE TO AUTHORISED ACTUAL SWORN POPULATION STRENGTH – (HEADCOUNT) RATIO CENTRAL METROPOLITAN 1:242 501 FTE 470 EAST METROPOLITAN 1:790 230 FTE 230 NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN 1:910 264 FTE 296 SOUTH EAST METROPOLITAN 1:743 414 FTE 414 SOUTH METROPOLITAN 1:764 386 FTE 375 WEST METROPOLITAN 1:794 297 FTE 286 GREAT SOUTHERN 1:432 169 FTE 164 PEEL 1:682 113 FTE 114 SOUTH WEST 1:629 205 FTE 211 WHEATBELT 1:350 148 FTE 140 GOLDFIELDS- ESPERANCE 1:283 201 190 KIMBERLEY 1:235 142 140 MID WEST GASCOYNE 1:286 203 192 PILBARA 1:249 170 161 As at 30 June 2003 there were 182 Recruits undergoing training at the Police Academy and will be allocated to Districts on graduation. (4) In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, not one extra police officer was employed and the authorised strength of the Police Service remained static at 4, 698. At 30 June 2000, the authorised strength was 4, 698 and the actual strength was 4, 708. By 31 July 2001, only six months after the election of the Gallop Government, authorised strength had increased to 4, 748 (an increase of 50) and the actual employment level had increased to 4, 838, or 90 officers above the authorised strength. By 31 October 2003, the Gallop Government had increased authorised strength by 115 to 4, 813 and actual strength is 4, 830. Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
DISTRICT POLICE TO AUTHORISED ACTUAL SWORN POPULATION STRENGTH – (HEADCOUNT) RATIO CENTRAL METROPOLITAN 1:242 501 FTE 470 EAST METROPOLITAN 1:790 230 FTE 230 NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN 1:910 264 FTE 296 SOUTH EAST METROPOLITAN 1:743 414 FTE 414 SOUTH METROPOLITAN 1:764 386 FTE 375 WEST METROPOLITAN 1:794 297 FTE 286 GREAT SOUTHERN 1:432 169 FTE 164 PEEL 1:682 113 FTE 114 SOUTH WEST 1:629 205 FTE 211 WHEATBELT 1:350 148 FTE 140 GOLDFIELDS- ESPERANCE 1:283 201 190 KIMBERLEY 1:235 142 140 MID WEST GASCOYNE 1:286 203 192 PILBARA 1:249 170 161 As at 30 June 2003 there were 182 Recruits undergoing training at the Police Academy and will be allocated to Districts on graduation. (4) In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, not one extra police officer was employed and the authorised strength of the Police Service remained static at 4, 698. At 30 June 2000, the authorised strength was 4, 698 and the actual strength was 4, 708. By 31 July 2001, only six months after the election of the Gallop Government, authorised strength had increased to 4, 748 (an increase of 50) and the actual employment level had increased to 4, 838, or 90 officers above the authorised strength. By 31 October 2003, the Gallop Government had increased authorised strength by 115 to 4, 813 and actual strength is 4, 830. Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
As at 30 June 2003 there were 182 Recruits undergoing training at the Police Academy and will be allocated to Districts on graduation. (4) In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, not one extra police officer was employed and the authorised strength of the Police Service remained static at 4, 698. At 30 June 2000, the authorised strength was 4, 698 and the actual strength was 4, 708. By 31 July 2001, only six months after the election of the Gallop Government, authorised strength had increased to 4, 748 (an increase of 50) and the actual employment level had increased to 4, 838, or 90 officers above the authorised strength. By 31 October 2003, the Gallop Government had increased authorised strength by 115 to 4, 813 and actual strength is 4, 830. Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
(4) In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, not one extra police officer was employed and the authorised strength of the Police Service remained static at 4, 698. At 30 June 2000, the authorised strength was 4, 698 and the actual strength was 4, 708. By 31 July 2001, only six months after the election of the Gallop Government, authorised strength had increased to 4, 748 (an increase of 50) and the actual employment level had increased to 4, 838, or 90 officers above the authorised strength. By 31 October 2003, the Gallop Government had increased authorised strength by 115 to 4, 813 and actual strength is 4, 830. Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
Outlined are the authorised strength, police to population ratios (calculated using June 2001 population data which the Police Service advise is the latest available) and actual number of sworn officers at a District level as at 30 June 2003. DISTRICT POLICE TO AUTHORISED ACTUAL SWORN POPULATION STRENGTH – (HEADCOUNT) RATIO CENTRAL METROPOLITAN 1:242 501 FTE 470 EAST METROPOLITAN 1:790 230 FTE 230 NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN 1:910 264 FTE 296 SOUTH EAST METROPOLITAN 1:743 414 FTE 414 SOUTH METROPOLITAN 1:764 386 FTE 375 WEST METROPOLITAN 1:794 297 FTE 286 GREAT SOUTHERN 1:432 169 FTE 164 PEEL 1:682 113 FTE 114 SOUTH WEST 1:629 205 FTE 211 WHEATBELT 1:350 148 FTE 140 GOLDFIELDS- ESPERANCE 1:283 201 190 KIMBERLEY 1:235 142 140 MID WEST GASCOYNE 1:286 203 192 PILBARA 1:249 170 161 As at 30 June 2003 there were 182 Recruits undergoing training at the Police Academy and will be allocated to Districts on graduation. (4) In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, not one extra police officer was employed and the authorised strength of the Police Service remained static at 4, 698. At 30 June 2000, the authorised strength was 4, 698 and the actual strength was 4, 708. By 31 July 2001, only six months after the election of the Gallop Government, authorised strength had increased to 4, 748 (an increase of 50) and the actual employment level had increased to 4, 838, or 90 officers above the authorised strength. By 31 October 2003, the Gallop Government had increased authorised strength by 115 to 4, 813 and actual strength is 4, 830. Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
DISTRICT POLICE TO AUTHORISED ACTUAL SWORN POPULATION STRENGTH – (HEADCOUNT) RATIO CENTRAL METROPOLITAN 1:242 501 FTE 470 EAST METROPOLITAN 1:790 230 FTE 230 NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN 1:910 264 FTE 296 SOUTH EAST METROPOLITAN 1:743 414 FTE 414 SOUTH METROPOLITAN 1:764 386 FTE 375 WEST METROPOLITAN 1:794 297 FTE 286 GREAT SOUTHERN 1:432 169 FTE 164 PEEL 1:682 113 FTE 114 SOUTH WEST 1:629 205 FTE 211 WHEATBELT 1:350 148 FTE 140 GOLDFIELDS- ESPERANCE 1:283 201 190 KIMBERLEY 1:235 142 140 MID WEST GASCOYNE 1:286 203 192 PILBARA 1:249 170 161 As at 30 June 2003 there were 182 Recruits undergoing training at the Police Academy and will be allocated to Districts on graduation. (4) In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, not one extra police officer was employed and the authorised strength of the Police Service remained static at 4, 698. At 30 June 2000, the authorised strength was 4, 698 and the actual strength was 4, 708. By 31 July 2001, only six months after the election of the Gallop Government, authorised strength had increased to 4, 748 (an increase of 50) and the actual employment level had increased to 4, 838, or 90 officers above the authorised strength. By 31 October 2003, the Gallop Government had increased authorised strength by 115 to 4, 813 and actual strength is 4, 830. Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
As at 30 June 2003 there were 182 Recruits undergoing training at the Police Academy and will be allocated to Districts on graduation. (4) In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, not one extra police officer was employed and the authorised strength of the Police Service remained static at 4, 698. At 30 June 2000, the authorised strength was 4, 698 and the actual strength was 4, 708. By 31 July 2001, only six months after the election of the Gallop Government, authorised strength had increased to 4, 748 (an increase of 50) and the actual employment level had increased to 4, 838, or 90 officers above the authorised strength. By 31 October 2003, the Gallop Government had increased authorised strength by 115 to 4, 813 and actual strength is 4, 830. Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
(4) In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, not one extra police officer was employed and the authorised strength of the Police Service remained static at 4, 698. At 30 June 2000, the authorised strength was 4, 698 and the actual strength was 4, 708. By 31 July 2001, only six months after the election of the Gallop Government, authorised strength had increased to 4, 748 (an increase of 50) and the actual employment level had increased to 4, 838, or 90 officers above the authorised strength. By 31 October 2003, the Gallop Government had increased authorised strength by 115 to 4, 813 and actual strength is 4, 830. Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
Since the election of the Gallop Government the authorised strength of many Districts has also increased: District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
District Authorised Strength Authorised Strength in 2000 in 2003 South East Metropolitan 324 414 North West Metropolitan 258 264 East Metropolitan 222 230 South Metropolitan 382 386 West Metropolitan 242 297 Great Southern 112 169 Peel 91 (2001) 113 Kimberley 132 142 Mid West Gascoyne 169 203 9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
9 out of 14 or 64% of Police Districts have benefited from an increase in authorised strength since the election of the Gallop Government. Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
Many of the Districts and their equivalent within other Portfolios are well above strength and some are below because of operational policing decisions made by the Commissioner of Police. As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
As previously advised, the Western Australia Police Service has a consistent policy that due to operational sensitivities, specific information relating to staffing levels of individual police stations is not released in a public forum.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.