❓ Hon Giz Watson's parliamentary question probes the WA Police regarding databases containing personal information, their statutory basis, maintenance, access, and data collection practices, particularly concerning individuals who are not suspects, victims, or offenders, and sex workers. The response details the Identifying Particulars System (IPS) and data collection practices.
AnsweredQoN 4729Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding the use of databases in the Western Australian Police, I ask -
(1) What databases do the Western Australian Police hold that contain identifying particulars of people?
(2) Please provide information on each of the databases identified in (1), including information regarding -
(a) the statutory basis for the establishment of the database;
(b) the categories of information gathered;
(c) the rules for the maintenance of the database, e.g. deletion of records;
(d) access restrictions within the police force; and
(e) any scheduled review dates?
(3) How do the Police monitor access to these databases?
(4) Are there any guidelines for the use of the databases?
(5) If yes to (4), will the Minister table these guidelines?
(6) What identifying particulars of individuals who are neither suspects, victims, witnesses nor offenders are kept in these databases?
(7) Do the Western Australian Police collect data on sex workers in Western Australia?
(1) What databases do the Western Australian Police hold that contain identifying particulars of people?
(2) Please provide information on each of the databases identified in (1), including information regarding -
(a) the statutory basis for the establishment of the database;
(b) the categories of information gathered;
(c) the rules for the maintenance of the database, e.g. deletion of records;
(d) access restrictions within the police force; and
(e) any scheduled review dates?
(3) How do the Police monitor access to these databases?
(4) Are there any guidelines for the use of the databases?
(5) If yes to (4), will the Minister table these guidelines?
(6) What identifying particulars of individuals who are neither suspects, victims, witnesses nor offenders are kept in these databases?
(7) Do the Western Australian Police collect data on sex workers in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
29 May 2007
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Response time
55 days
(b) the categories of information gathered; (c) the rules for the maintenance of the database, e.g. deletion of records; (d) access restrictions within the police force; and (e) any scheduled review dates?
(c) the rules for the maintenance of the database, e.g. deletion of records; (d) access restrictions within the police force; and (e) any scheduled review dates?
(d) access restrictions within the police force; and (e) any scheduled review dates?
(e) any scheduled review dates?
(1) The Identifying Particulars System (IPS) owned by the DNA and Exhibits Coordination Unit (DECU). WA Police use the IPS to record samples taken in the form of buccal (mouth) swab, hair or blood from persons under the provisions of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002. (2)(a) Recording samples taken under Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . (b) Full name, date of birth, race, gender of the sampled person, as well as the category of the sample, e.g. Charged or Uncharged Suspect, Involved Person, Volunteer. These details are entered on the IPS by the sampling officer. (c) Personal details are deleted by Officer in Charge of DECU where a person makes a request to the Commissioner of Police under the provisions of Section 69 of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . Personal details are also removed where a sample is destroyed after having failed quality assurance, where previous samples of the same person exist, or where time limitations requires destruction of a sample. (d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(2)(a) Recording samples taken under Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . (b) Full name, date of birth, race, gender of the sampled person, as well as the category of the sample, e.g. Charged or Uncharged Suspect, Involved Person, Volunteer. These details are entered on the IPS by the sampling officer. (c) Personal details are deleted by Officer in Charge of DECU where a person makes a request to the Commissioner of Police under the provisions of Section 69 of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . Personal details are also removed where a sample is destroyed after having failed quality assurance, where previous samples of the same person exist, or where time limitations requires destruction of a sample. (d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(b) Full name, date of birth, race, gender of the sampled person, as well as the category of the sample, e.g. Charged or Uncharged Suspect, Involved Person, Volunteer. These details are entered on the IPS by the sampling officer. (c) Personal details are deleted by Officer in Charge of DECU where a person makes a request to the Commissioner of Police under the provisions of Section 69 of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . Personal details are also removed where a sample is destroyed after having failed quality assurance, where previous samples of the same person exist, or where time limitations requires destruction of a sample. (d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(c) Personal details are deleted by Officer in Charge of DECU where a person makes a request to the Commissioner of Police under the provisions of Section 69 of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . Personal details are also removed where a sample is destroyed after having failed quality assurance, where previous samples of the same person exist, or where time limitations requires destruction of a sample. (d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(c) the rules for the maintenance of the database, e.g. deletion of records; (d) access restrictions within the police force; and (e) any scheduled review dates?
(d) access restrictions within the police force; and (e) any scheduled review dates?
(e) any scheduled review dates?
(1) The Identifying Particulars System (IPS) owned by the DNA and Exhibits Coordination Unit (DECU). WA Police use the IPS to record samples taken in the form of buccal (mouth) swab, hair or blood from persons under the provisions of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002. (2)(a) Recording samples taken under Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . (b) Full name, date of birth, race, gender of the sampled person, as well as the category of the sample, e.g. Charged or Uncharged Suspect, Involved Person, Volunteer. These details are entered on the IPS by the sampling officer. (c) Personal details are deleted by Officer in Charge of DECU where a person makes a request to the Commissioner of Police under the provisions of Section 69 of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . Personal details are also removed where a sample is destroyed after having failed quality assurance, where previous samples of the same person exist, or where time limitations requires destruction of a sample. (d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(2)(a) Recording samples taken under Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . (b) Full name, date of birth, race, gender of the sampled person, as well as the category of the sample, e.g. Charged or Uncharged Suspect, Involved Person, Volunteer. These details are entered on the IPS by the sampling officer. (c) Personal details are deleted by Officer in Charge of DECU where a person makes a request to the Commissioner of Police under the provisions of Section 69 of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . Personal details are also removed where a sample is destroyed after having failed quality assurance, where previous samples of the same person exist, or where time limitations requires destruction of a sample. (d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(b) Full name, date of birth, race, gender of the sampled person, as well as the category of the sample, e.g. Charged or Uncharged Suspect, Involved Person, Volunteer. These details are entered on the IPS by the sampling officer. (c) Personal details are deleted by Officer in Charge of DECU where a person makes a request to the Commissioner of Police under the provisions of Section 69 of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . Personal details are also removed where a sample is destroyed after having failed quality assurance, where previous samples of the same person exist, or where time limitations requires destruction of a sample. (d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(c) Personal details are deleted by Officer in Charge of DECU where a person makes a request to the Commissioner of Police under the provisions of Section 69 of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002 . Personal details are also removed where a sample is destroyed after having failed quality assurance, where previous samples of the same person exist, or where time limitations requires destruction of a sample. (d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(d) Access is provided to all police officers to submit and search samples. Selected police staff and contractors also have similar access. A further category provides access for personnel from areas such as DECU to make updates to the IPS. (e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(e) None. (3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(3) The application has a built in audit function to track changes. This does not record logins or events where data is not changed (i.e. viewing the information). (4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(4) There is an Operations Guide available however this is a technical document. There is no user guide. (5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(5) Not applicable. (6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(6) Nil. (7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
(7) WA Police endeavour to keep data on the owners and managers of brothels and do record the details of sex workers encountered in the course of normal operational business. In most instances the information is voluntarily provided. Prior to the abandonment of the containment policy on 4 August 2000 by (then) Police Commissioner Barry Matthews WA Police collected and held data regarding sex workers in WA. Since that time the same rigor has not been applied to intelligence collection in respect to sex industry workers, therefore records of sex workers have not been routinely maintained or updated.
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