❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on the WA Police's use of Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), including potential health risks and usage guidelines. The Minister confirms possession and clarifies its limited use as a communication tool, denying its use for crowd control.
AnsweredQoN 4139Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Can the Minister confirm that the Western Australian Police have a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), or sound cannon? (2) Is the Minister aware that since its first use by United States of America police at the G20 protests in Pittsburgh in 2009, it has been proven to cause serious pain and permanent hearing damage? (3) What guidelines are in place for the use of the sound cannon and will the Minister please table them? (4) Will the Minister rule out its use as a crowd control device in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 August 2016
Responded by
Attorney General representing the Minister for Police
Response time
92 days
(1) WA Police advise: Yes, two LRAD devices.
(2) Yes.
(3) WA Police only use the LRAD as a directional loud-haler to call a person(s) from a residence and or building when other forms of communication have resulted in no response.
(4) The LRAD has not been used as a crowd control device by WA Police.
(2) Yes.
(3) WA Police only use the LRAD as a directional loud-haler to call a person(s) from a residence and or building when other forms of communication have resulted in no response.
(4) The LRAD has not been used as a crowd control device by WA Police.
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