❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Minister for Police regarding outstanding arrest warrants, particularly those older than five years, and the criteria for releasing information about them. The Minister provides details on warrant management and review processes.
AnsweredQoN 238Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Police—Outstanding arrest warrants
238. Hon Nick Goiran to the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the
answer on 21 May 2025 to my question without notice 199, which revealed that there
are 5,959 outstanding arrest warrants, including 3,877 that have been
outstanding for more than five years.
(1) Are arrest warrants older than five years
subject to periodic reviews and, if so, how often?
(2) What criteria are
considered by WA Police when determining whether the release of information
regarding an arrest warrant will enhance community safety or serves the public
interest?
238. Hon Nick Goiran to the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the
answer on 21 May 2025 to my question without notice 199, which revealed that there
are 5,959 outstanding arrest warrants, including 3,877 that have been
outstanding for more than five years.
(1) Are arrest warrants older than five years
subject to periodic reviews and, if so, how often?
(2) What criteria are
considered by WA Police when determining whether the release of information
regarding an arrest warrant will enhance community safety or serves the public
interest?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1) Outstanding arrest
warrants, including those older than five years, are managed individually as investigations
under agency policy. Arrest warrants are forwarded to the police station,
specialist area or business unit where the person resides and updated in the police
incident management system. Each area conducts ongoing operational and
intelligence-based assessments to ensure warrants remain relevant and actionable.
(2) The Western Australia Police Force considers the
seriousness of the offence; the risk posed by the individual; likelihood of
public assistance in apprehension; privacy considerations; impact on ongoing
investigations; and broader community interest. These reviews and criteria
ensure any information released serves the basis of community safety and the
public interest.
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1) Outstanding arrest
warrants, including those older than five years, are managed individually as investigations
under agency policy. Arrest warrants are forwarded to the police station,
specialist area or business unit where the person resides and updated in the police
incident management system. Each area conducts ongoing operational and
intelligence-based assessments to ensure warrants remain relevant and actionable.
(2) The Western Australia Police Force considers the
seriousness of the offence; the risk posed by the individual; likelihood of
public assistance in apprehension; privacy considerations; impact on ongoing
investigations; and broader community interest. These reviews and criteria
ensure any information released serves the basis of community safety and the
public interest.
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