❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the use of tasers by police, internal investigations, and CCTV monitoring, prompted by a news article and a Corruption and Crime Commission report. The Minister's responses indicate disagreement with certain police union views and a reliance on existing protocols.
AnsweredQoN 2935Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the article on tasers, published on page 3 of
The West Australian
on Tuesday 5 October 2010, and ask -
(1) Does the Minister share the view attributed to Western Australian Police Union President Russell Armstrong, that tasers should be able to be used on anyone who does not comply with police orders?
(2) Will the Minister ensure all recommendations of the Corruption and Crime Commission Report, ‘The Use of Taser Weapons by Western Australia Police’, published this month are implemented?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Is the Minister satisfied with, -
(a) the quality of all of the internal police investigations referred to in the report; and
(b) the outcome for police officers found to have misused a taser?
(5) If no to (4), -
(a) in relation to what matters is the Minister not satisfied (please provide full details); and
(b) how has the Minister addressed his concerns?
(6) Is lockup and other police CCTV footage regularly monitored, so that any abuse of power by a police officer, can be identified even if the victim does not lodge a formal complaint?
(7) If yes to (6), will the Minister please provide details?
(8) If no to (6), why not?
(9) What protocols or guidelines exist with other providers of CCTV services, for any footage indicating possible abuse of power by a police officer, to be provided to the police unit responsible for police ethics and integrity, even if the victim does not lodge a formal complaint?
The West Australian
on Tuesday 5 October 2010, and ask -
(1) Does the Minister share the view attributed to Western Australian Police Union President Russell Armstrong, that tasers should be able to be used on anyone who does not comply with police orders?
(2) Will the Minister ensure all recommendations of the Corruption and Crime Commission Report, ‘The Use of Taser Weapons by Western Australia Police’, published this month are implemented?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Is the Minister satisfied with, -
(a) the quality of all of the internal police investigations referred to in the report; and
(b) the outcome for police officers found to have misused a taser?
(5) If no to (4), -
(a) in relation to what matters is the Minister not satisfied (please provide full details); and
(b) how has the Minister addressed his concerns?
(6) Is lockup and other police CCTV footage regularly monitored, so that any abuse of power by a police officer, can be identified even if the victim does not lodge a formal complaint?
(7) If yes to (6), will the Minister please provide details?
(8) If no to (6), why not?
(9) What protocols or guidelines exist with other providers of CCTV services, for any footage indicating possible abuse of power by a police officer, to be provided to the police unit responsible for police ethics and integrity, even if the victim does not lodge a formal complaint?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 November 2010
Responded by
Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Police
Response time
27 days
(1) No.
(2) No.
(3)There are certain recommendations in the Report that are not supported by the WA Police. It would be inappropriate for the Minister for Police to determine the operational tactics used by the WA Police.
(4a) The quality of the internal investigation is currently the subject of a review by the Corruption and Crime Commission. Comment and judgment about this issue should be deferred until that report is delivered.
(b) The process and outcome of internal disciplinary matters is properly a matter for the Commissioner of Police.
(5a) Not Applicable
(b) Not Applicable
(6-8) CCTV within the Perth Watch House is recorded and retained for a period of at least 90 days. No real time or other monitoring of recorded content occurs. Constant real time monitoring of the recorded content is not practicable. However, supervisors observe both the CCTV and the ongoing business activities within the Perth Watch House in real time. This provides robust mechanisms to identify unacceptable conduct by officers. The purpose of recording the CCTV from some cameras within the Perth Watch House is to retain a record to enable later investigation of incidents.
(9) WA Police have a Memoranda of Understanding with the City of Perth, the Public Transport Authority and some other independent owners of CCTV services for access to recorded images and some real time monitoring of CCTV for the purpose of responding to crime and antisocial behaviour. Police will ordinarily inquire as to the existence of any independent CCTV recorded images as part of any investigation inclusive of complaints about police. This material may then be seized under the authority of a Search Warrant. Apart from this arrangement, there are no specific protocol/guidelines with these providers governing the provision of CCTV footage to police. It is only when police become aware of a policing/criminal incident involving officers or members of the public, the service provider is approached for a copy of any recording to enable inquiries to be conducted.
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(2) No.
(3)There are certain recommendations in the Report that are not supported by the WA Police. It would be inappropriate for the Minister for Police to determine the operational tactics used by the WA Police.
(4a) The quality of the internal investigation is currently the subject of a review by the Corruption and Crime Commission. Comment and judgment about this issue should be deferred until that report is delivered.
(b) The process and outcome of internal disciplinary matters is properly a matter for the Commissioner of Police.
(5a) Not Applicable
(b) Not Applicable
(6-8) CCTV within the Perth Watch House is recorded and retained for a period of at least 90 days. No real time or other monitoring of recorded content occurs. Constant real time monitoring of the recorded content is not practicable. However, supervisors observe both the CCTV and the ongoing business activities within the Perth Watch House in real time. This provides robust mechanisms to identify unacceptable conduct by officers. The purpose of recording the CCTV from some cameras within the Perth Watch House is to retain a record to enable later investigation of incidents.
(9) WA Police have a Memoranda of Understanding with the City of Perth, the Public Transport Authority and some other independent owners of CCTV services for access to recorded images and some real time monitoring of CCTV for the purpose of responding to crime and antisocial behaviour. Police will ordinarily inquire as to the existence of any independent CCTV recorded images as part of any investigation inclusive of complaints about police. This material may then be seized under the authority of a Search Warrant. Apart from this arrangement, there are no specific protocol/guidelines with these providers governing the provision of CCTV footage to police. It is only when police become aware of a policing/criminal incident involving officers or members of the public, the service provider is approached for a copy of any recording to enable inquiries to be conducted.
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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