❓ Mr. Love questions the government's prioritization of community safety in the Kimberley given rising crime despite the Premier's claims of adequate police resources. The Minister defends the police force and highlights their effectiveness, attributing improvements to government initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 854Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE
— RESOURCES — KIMBERLEY
854. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the rise in crime and
antisocial behaviour across the Kimberley, which has engulfed Broome, seeing a worrying
increase of sexual offences of up to 90 per cent over the past five years, as
well as another recent spike in youth crime.
(1) Given the
Premier's comment that police have the resources, why is it the case
that the government is not prioritising community safety?
(2) Have the
police requested additional powers to tackle this concerning surge in crime?
— RESOURCES — KIMBERLEY
854. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the rise in crime and
antisocial behaviour across the Kimberley, which has engulfed Broome, seeing a worrying
increase of sexual offences of up to 90 per cent over the past five years, as
well as another recent spike in youth crime.
(1) Given the
Premier's comment that police have the resources, why is it the case
that the government is not prioritising community safety?
(2) Have the
police requested additional powers to tackle this concerning surge in crime?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
do not know why the Nationals WA members attack the police so regularly. I do
not know why they do not like the police and why they criticise the Western Australia
Police Force. They join the Liberal Party so often in this place to criticise
the performance of the Western Australia Police Force. Can I just put on the
record that I think we have the best police force in the nation, if not one of
the best in the world. It is incredibly well resourced—thanks partly to
your efforts in our first term, Speaker—not only in terms of equipment,
but also in terms of tackling crime in the regions.
A couple of years ago we announced
that Operation Regional Shield would be supported to enable the Commissioner of
Police to deploy additional resources—be they officers, technology,
capability or equipment—wherever it was required to tackle regional
crime. That operation continues. It has been incredibly effective. The issue
that the member referred to was a recent sexual assault—an appalling
crime. Within hours, the police caught the individual concerned and charged
them. That person is in custody. That is so
regularly the case that people in Western Australia have become accustomed to
it. They expect our police to resolve crimes with incredible speed. If
they cast their minds back only six short years
ago, they will be aware that that never used to be the case. Crimes that are
now resolved in a day would have taken years to solve, if ever, under
the coalition government. I am incredibly thankful that we have such a professional,
capable and, increasingly, very effective Western Australia Police Force
dealing with crime right across the state, particularly in the Kimberley.
do not know why the Nationals WA members attack the police so regularly. I do
not know why they do not like the police and why they criticise the Western Australia
Police Force. They join the Liberal Party so often in this place to criticise
the performance of the Western Australia Police Force. Can I just put on the
record that I think we have the best police force in the nation, if not one of
the best in the world. It is incredibly well resourced—thanks partly to
your efforts in our first term, Speaker—not only in terms of equipment,
but also in terms of tackling crime in the regions.
A couple of years ago we announced
that Operation Regional Shield would be supported to enable the Commissioner of
Police to deploy additional resources—be they officers, technology,
capability or equipment—wherever it was required to tackle regional
crime. That operation continues. It has been incredibly effective. The issue
that the member referred to was a recent sexual assault—an appalling
crime. Within hours, the police caught the individual concerned and charged
them. That person is in custody. That is so
regularly the case that people in Western Australia have become accustomed to
it. They expect our police to resolve crimes with incredible speed. If
they cast their minds back only six short years
ago, they will be aware that that never used to be the case. Crimes that are
now resolved in a day would have taken years to solve, if ever, under
the coalition government. I am incredibly thankful that we have such a professional,
capable and, increasingly, very effective Western Australia Police Force
dealing with crime right across the state, particularly in the Kimberley.
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