❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses the conditions of the Fitzroy Crossing Police Station's lockup cells and the handling of domestic violence offenders, highlighting concerns about victim safety and police resources. The Minister's response outlines existing policies and limitations.
AnsweredQoN 1171Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the Fitzroy Crossing Police Station, I ask -
(1) How many lock up cells are there in the Fitzroy Crossing Police Station?
(2) Are the air conditioners working in each of these cells?
(3) Are any of the locks on any of the cell doors broken, if so how many?
(4) Are the inner doors functional in each of these cells?
(5) Do prisoners have access to the cell grills from within any of the cells?
(6) How many of the lock up cells in the Fitzroy Crossing Police station are operational?
(7) On average, how many people are charged with violent offences by police at the Fitzroy Crossing Police Station each day?
(8) In reference to the answer given under (7), how many of these offences are domestic violence offences?
(9) When more people are charged with violent offences than there are operational cells at the Fitzroy Crossing Police Station, what options are available to Police if Police feel the need to ensure that an accused domestic violence offender is not, after being charged with the offence, immediately allowed to return to the location at which and/or the person to whom the offence occurred?
(10) In reference to any answer provided under (9), how often is this option(s) used, and how often is the accused offender allowed to return to the location at which and/or the person to whom the offence occurred?
(11) Is it an acceptable state of affairs that Fitzroy Crossing Police have no choice but to allow an accused domestic violence offender to return to the location at which and/or the person to whom the offence occurred promptly after the occurrence of the alleged offence?
(12) What is the Minister doing to ensure that victims of violent crimes in Fitzroy Crossing, including domestic violence, are not put in the untenable situation of knowing that their alleged attacker will be free to return to them promptly after the occurrence of the alleged offence because Police have no option other than to immediately release the alleged offender?
(1) How many lock up cells are there in the Fitzroy Crossing Police Station?
(2) Are the air conditioners working in each of these cells?
(3) Are any of the locks on any of the cell doors broken, if so how many?
(4) Are the inner doors functional in each of these cells?
(5) Do prisoners have access to the cell grills from within any of the cells?
(6) How many of the lock up cells in the Fitzroy Crossing Police station are operational?
(7) On average, how many people are charged with violent offences by police at the Fitzroy Crossing Police Station each day?
(8) In reference to the answer given under (7), how many of these offences are domestic violence offences?
(9) When more people are charged with violent offences than there are operational cells at the Fitzroy Crossing Police Station, what options are available to Police if Police feel the need to ensure that an accused domestic violence offender is not, after being charged with the offence, immediately allowed to return to the location at which and/or the person to whom the offence occurred?
(10) In reference to any answer provided under (9), how often is this option(s) used, and how often is the accused offender allowed to return to the location at which and/or the person to whom the offence occurred?
(11) Is it an acceptable state of affairs that Fitzroy Crossing Police have no choice but to allow an accused domestic violence offender to return to the location at which and/or the person to whom the offence occurred promptly after the occurrence of the alleged offence?
(12) What is the Minister doing to ensure that victims of violent crimes in Fitzroy Crossing, including domestic violence, are not put in the untenable situation of knowing that their alleged attacker will be free to return to them promptly after the occurrence of the alleged offence because Police have no option other than to immediately release the alleged offender?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 September 2009
Responded by
Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Police
Response time
19 days
(1). Two.
(2). No. A replacement unit has been installed and is awaiting electrical connection by local contractors
(3-4). Yes, however the cells remain secure and functional in relation to holding an offender in custody if required.
(5). Yes, subject to the repair of the faulty inner door locks.
(6). Two.
(7). During the 100 days leading to August 24, 2009 an average of 0.25 persons were charged per day.
(8). 21 of the 29 matters of violence [Assault type] investigated in this period involve elements of family violence. Three additional offences, out of two further family and domestic violence incidents are still being investigated. Approximately 65% of the persons charged are matters related to family and domestic violence.
(9). Options for managing the safety of victims of crime are either:
(a) imposing protective bail conditions on the offender,
(b) refusing bail and holding the offender in custody locally, or
(c) transferring the offender to another custodial facility.
(10). Under the terms of protective bail conditions imposed, the offender of family and domestic violence incidents is prohibited from re-engaging with the victim, similar to the terms of a violence restraining order. This includes specific addresses and proximity limits which protect the victim from further exposure to the offender. If the bail conditions are breached by the accused they are immediately arrested and placed in police custody to be brought before the next available court. Bail is refused on every occasion in such circumstances.
(11). There are a number of options available to police in relation to dealing with domestic violence offenders. The policy of the Western Australia Police in respect to intervention at family and domestic violence incidents is one of pro-charge, pro-arrest and pro-prosecution.
(12). WA Police recognises that crimes involving family and domestic violence are serious crimes. The safety and well-being of victims of family and domestic violence are a high priority for police and there is a proactive and rigorous approach to investigation of incidents of domestic violence in the community. The police policy is clear in relation to investigation of offences and the management of offenders is bound primarily by the Bail Act and the Criminal Investigation Act. Police work within this framework to provide the best possible outcome for domestic violence victims.
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(2). No. A replacement unit has been installed and is awaiting electrical connection by local contractors
(3-4). Yes, however the cells remain secure and functional in relation to holding an offender in custody if required.
(5). Yes, subject to the repair of the faulty inner door locks.
(6). Two.
(7). During the 100 days leading to August 24, 2009 an average of 0.25 persons were charged per day.
(8). 21 of the 29 matters of violence [Assault type] investigated in this period involve elements of family violence. Three additional offences, out of two further family and domestic violence incidents are still being investigated. Approximately 65% of the persons charged are matters related to family and domestic violence.
(9). Options for managing the safety of victims of crime are either:
(a) imposing protective bail conditions on the offender,
(b) refusing bail and holding the offender in custody locally, or
(c) transferring the offender to another custodial facility.
(10). Under the terms of protective bail conditions imposed, the offender of family and domestic violence incidents is prohibited from re-engaging with the victim, similar to the terms of a violence restraining order. This includes specific addresses and proximity limits which protect the victim from further exposure to the offender. If the bail conditions are breached by the accused they are immediately arrested and placed in police custody to be brought before the next available court. Bail is refused on every occasion in such circumstances.
(11). There are a number of options available to police in relation to dealing with domestic violence offenders. The policy of the Western Australia Police in respect to intervention at family and domestic violence incidents is one of pro-charge, pro-arrest and pro-prosecution.
(12). WA Police recognises that crimes involving family and domestic violence are serious crimes. The safety and well-being of victims of family and domestic violence are a high priority for police and there is a proactive and rigorous approach to investigation of incidents of domestic violence in the community. The police policy is clear in relation to investigation of offences and the management of offenders is bound primarily by the Bail Act and the Criminal Investigation Act. Police work within this framework to provide the best possible outcome for domestic violence victims.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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