❓ Question regarding the provision of stab-proof ballistic armour and mobile smart devices for WA police officers and how this equipment will support them in their duties. The Minister responds by highlighting the government's investment in police resources and the benefits of the new equipment.
AnsweredQoN 389Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE — EQUIPMENT
389. Dr A.D. BUTI to the Minister for Police:
My
question is to the brilliant Minister for Police. I refer to the responsible
financial management of the McGowan Labor government that has enabled it to
provide more resources for police in their efforts to drive down crime in our
suburbs. Can the minister update the house on how the provision of stab-proof
ballistic armour and new handheld mobile smart devices will support our
police officers in the important jobs they do to keep our communities safe?
389. Dr A.D. BUTI to the Minister for Police:
My
question is to the brilliant Minister for Police. I refer to the responsible
financial management of the McGowan Labor government that has enabled it to
provide more resources for police in their efforts to drive down crime in our
suburbs. Can the minister update the house on how the provision of stab-proof
ballistic armour and new handheld mobile smart devices will support our
police officers in the important jobs they do to keep our communities safe?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Armadale for
his question and for the adjective, which I heard some people snigger at. A lot
has already been delivered in the member for Armadale's electorate in
terms of policing. We have rolled out the 24-hour police station, we have moved
along with the new police and court complex—the development approval was
given just a couple of weeks ago. We are about to go out to tender and the
first sod will be turned for that complex very shortly. Of course, the
Commissioner of Police has designated for the first time a single policing
district for Armadale and its surrounds, which has meant a real increased focus
for you.
In
addition, the McGowan government's great financial management means
that we will be able to roll out for police officers things that they have
needed for years. We will be able to take them out of the Dark Ages and provide
them with the protective equipment that they require. We have allocated over
$15 million for personal-issue multi-threat body armour. The vests will
be not only stab-proof, but also be able to withstand other forms of threat,
and be personal issue for our frontline officers.
In addition, there is a significant
commitment of nearly $35 million for, again, personal-issue mobile devices.
This will help to keep our police officers safer, number one, but it will also
save a lot of police time and repeat work. Officers tell me they have to go out
to crime scenes and go out to see victims. They take notes and then do the work
all over again when they get back to the station whilst they sit down at a computer
to type the information in. This will mean that that information can be
uploaded instantaneously. It will also mean that they can receive photos of
victims, potential suspects and the like on-scene. They will not have to go
back to the station or have someone have to bring that out to them. This will
provide for much greater efficiency. It should have been rolled out a long time
ago. The average parking inspector has a handheld device to key in details.
Waiters and waitresses in restaurants and bars have handheld devices to put
orders through to the kitchen. But our police officers were very much left in
the Dark Ages, and a $35 million investment by our government will help to take
them forward to the modern era and bring them up to the same standard as police
officers around Australia—because every other police force around
Australia and New Zealand has progressed on this, and it was just Western Australia,
thanks to the former government, that was left behind.
In concluding, I note our nearly
$250 million commitment towards fighting the methamphetamine scourge. Over $125
million of that funding has gone to police and we are seeing the dividends.
Just today I announced that police had seized some 59 kilograms of
methamphetamine in a recent raid. That takes the total for this financial year
up to about 300 kilos. I remind members that that 59 kilos that was destined to
be distributed in Western Australia equates to 590 000 hits of methamphetamine.
That is what our organised crime squad and meth border force have taken out of
the community. I congratulate the commissioner and our hardworking officers who
have had such an outstanding result.
his question and for the adjective, which I heard some people snigger at. A lot
has already been delivered in the member for Armadale's electorate in
terms of policing. We have rolled out the 24-hour police station, we have moved
along with the new police and court complex—the development approval was
given just a couple of weeks ago. We are about to go out to tender and the
first sod will be turned for that complex very shortly. Of course, the
Commissioner of Police has designated for the first time a single policing
district for Armadale and its surrounds, which has meant a real increased focus
for you.
In
addition, the McGowan government's great financial management means
that we will be able to roll out for police officers things that they have
needed for years. We will be able to take them out of the Dark Ages and provide
them with the protective equipment that they require. We have allocated over
$15 million for personal-issue multi-threat body armour. The vests will
be not only stab-proof, but also be able to withstand other forms of threat,
and be personal issue for our frontline officers.
In addition, there is a significant
commitment of nearly $35 million for, again, personal-issue mobile devices.
This will help to keep our police officers safer, number one, but it will also
save a lot of police time and repeat work. Officers tell me they have to go out
to crime scenes and go out to see victims. They take notes and then do the work
all over again when they get back to the station whilst they sit down at a computer
to type the information in. This will mean that that information can be
uploaded instantaneously. It will also mean that they can receive photos of
victims, potential suspects and the like on-scene. They will not have to go
back to the station or have someone have to bring that out to them. This will
provide for much greater efficiency. It should have been rolled out a long time
ago. The average parking inspector has a handheld device to key in details.
Waiters and waitresses in restaurants and bars have handheld devices to put
orders through to the kitchen. But our police officers were very much left in
the Dark Ages, and a $35 million investment by our government will help to take
them forward to the modern era and bring them up to the same standard as police
officers around Australia—because every other police force around
Australia and New Zealand has progressed on this, and it was just Western Australia,
thanks to the former government, that was left behind.
In concluding, I note our nearly
$250 million commitment towards fighting the methamphetamine scourge. Over $125
million of that funding has gone to police and we are seeing the dividends.
Just today I announced that police had seized some 59 kilograms of
methamphetamine in a recent raid. That takes the total for this financial year
up to about 300 kilos. I remind members that that 59 kilos that was destined to
be distributed in Western Australia equates to 590 000 hits of methamphetamine.
That is what our organised crime squad and meth border force have taken out of
the community. I congratulate the commissioner and our hardworking officers who
have had such an outstanding result.
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