Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Minister for Police regarding the expenditure, regional allocation, and staffing levels related to Operation Heat Shield. The Minister provides figures on expenditure, regional allocation, vacant positions, and overall police force strength.

AnsweredQoN 251Legislative Council
Asked
18 March 2020
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

POLICE — OPERATION
HEAT SHIELD
251. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to Operation Heat Shield
announced in the minister's media statement of 17 November 2019.
(1) How much of the $5 million
committed has been expended to date?
(2) How much of the $5 million
committed has been allocated to boosting regional policing?
(3) How many FTE
sworn officer positions in regional WA remain vacant?
(4) What is the current strength of
the Western Australia Police Force by FTE positions?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Police, which I note is correct as at 11 February.
(1) The McGowan government has provided the Western Australia
Police Force with an unprecedented $5 million to conduct Operation Heat
Shield. This operation is running from December 2019 to 31 May 2020 and is
achieving outstanding results throughout the state. Expenditure for Operation
Heat Shield is ongoing with over $1.6 million already expended, with the
balance to be expended by May 2020.
(2) An amount of
$1 million has been allocated to regional Western Australia, with additional
funds to be allocated by the Western Australia Police Force based on
operational requirements.
(3) There are
more officers in regional WA under the McGowan government than there were under
the Liberal–National government. The WA Police Force advises that there
are 43.5 vacant FTE. Vacancies in regional police districts vary on a daily
basis, including through natural attrition, leave without pay and transfers in and out of regional WA. The police
officer deployment unit issues transfer notices to successful applicants, and their physical arrival in a new
position can take up to six weeks in regional Western Australia.
(4) The current
authorised strength by FTE as at 31 January 2020 is 8 770.16.

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