❓ WA Police provides data on officer firearms competency, including historical updates, current status, and details on recruits who initially failed but later achieved competency, addressing concerns about training and operational readiness.
AnsweredQoN 863Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many officers updated their firearms competency in each of the following years: (a) 2012–2013; (b) 2011–2012; (c) 2010–2011; (d) 2009–2010; and (e) 2008–2009? (2) How many officers are currently up to date with their firearms competency? (3) How many officers are not currently up to date with their firearms competency? (4) How many officers graduated from the Police Academy in 2012 without passing their firearms competency? (5) On what date did each of those officers achieve their firearms competency? (6) What other competencies did any graduates fail? (7) How many failed in each competency area and on what date did they eventually gain competency?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 August 2013
Responded by
Minister for Police
Response time
47 days
Firearms competency is recorded in WA Police under a single day training program called Critical Skills 1 Training. This day comprising of firearms, baton and handcuff recertification. Every operational police officer below the rank of Inspector is required to undertake this training on an annual basis. Officers with either temporary or permanent medical conditions preventing the necessary level of physical aptitude are deemed "Non-operational" and are not allowed to attempt requalification.
(1)
(a) 4635 officers
(b) 4334 officers
(c) 4044 officers
(d) 3814 officers
(e) 3638 officers
(2)
4892 are currently qualified for firearms.
(3)
676 officers are not currently qualified for firearms.
The number of non-commissioned officers out of qualification varies on a daily basis as their qualification lapses on the 12 month anniversary of training. Of these officers 395 are non-operational. The reasons for remaining officers not currently qualified varies and can include annual leave, leave without pay, parental leave etc.
(4) During a recruit's 28 weeks training there is a variety of reasons a recruit will not have completed a section of their training. Predominately it is either due to illness (non attendance) or to a competency (student failed). Due to tight timelines and large class sizes re-training and or re-testing is sometimes not possible until a later date.
Students may march out with their class mates. However, in regards to firearms competency, are not graduated from the academy until successful completion. These recruits are required to wait until a training position presents. During this period they are either allocated administrative tasks at the academy or sent as non-operational recruits to a station. Those officers sent to stations are sent to ensure their competencies in administrative areas (front counter, telephone call taking, fingerprinting etc) are maintained whilst awaiting training.
Squad 09/2011 - Graduated 12/01/12 - 2 Officers - Due to injuries
Squad 10/2011 - Graduated 12/01/12 - 1 Officer - Due to competency
Squad 12/2011 - Graduated 25/05/12 - 3 Officers - Due to injuries/absence
Squad 01/2012 - Graduated 05/10/12 -3 Officers - 2 x Injuries, 1 x Competency
Squad 02/2012 - Graduated 05/10/12 - 2 Officers - 1 Illness, 1 Training rescheduled
(5)
09/2011 Officer 1 - 23/02/12
Officer 2 - 23/02/12
10/2011 Officer 1 - 03/02/12
12/2011 Officer 1 - 12/07/12
Officer 2 - 12/07/12
Officer 3 - 12/07/12
01/2012 Officer 1 - 08/11/12
Officer 2 - 08/11/12
Officer 3 - Resigned 09/12/12
02/2012 Officer 1 - Resigned
Officer 2 - 08/11/12
(6) This question is only answered in areas of training of critical importance. A graduate may fail a single test or assessment, but attain competence shortly thereafter.
09/2011 - 1 Officer - Driver Training
10/2011 - 2 Officers - Driver Training
11/2011 - 2 Officers - Driver Training
There is a delay when an officer fails a critical skills area due to the nature of the training and limited opportunities to fit additional recruits on scheduled courses. Placements occur either on special formulated remedial classes or upon vacancy when another recruit is not able to accept their place on the course (injury etc).
(7)
09/2011 Officer 1 - Competency achieved 15/02/12
10/2011 Officer 1 - Competency achieved 15/02/12
Officer 2 - Competency achieved 15/02/12
11/2011 Officer 1 - Competency achieved 12/04/12
Officer 2 - Competency achieved 01/02/13
(1)
(a) 4635 officers
(b) 4334 officers
(c) 4044 officers
(d) 3814 officers
(e) 3638 officers
(2)
4892 are currently qualified for firearms.
(3)
676 officers are not currently qualified for firearms.
The number of non-commissioned officers out of qualification varies on a daily basis as their qualification lapses on the 12 month anniversary of training. Of these officers 395 are non-operational. The reasons for remaining officers not currently qualified varies and can include annual leave, leave without pay, parental leave etc.
(4) During a recruit's 28 weeks training there is a variety of reasons a recruit will not have completed a section of their training. Predominately it is either due to illness (non attendance) or to a competency (student failed). Due to tight timelines and large class sizes re-training and or re-testing is sometimes not possible until a later date.
Students may march out with their class mates. However, in regards to firearms competency, are not graduated from the academy until successful completion. These recruits are required to wait until a training position presents. During this period they are either allocated administrative tasks at the academy or sent as non-operational recruits to a station. Those officers sent to stations are sent to ensure their competencies in administrative areas (front counter, telephone call taking, fingerprinting etc) are maintained whilst awaiting training.
Squad 09/2011 - Graduated 12/01/12 - 2 Officers - Due to injuries
Squad 10/2011 - Graduated 12/01/12 - 1 Officer - Due to competency
Squad 12/2011 - Graduated 25/05/12 - 3 Officers - Due to injuries/absence
Squad 01/2012 - Graduated 05/10/12 -3 Officers - 2 x Injuries, 1 x Competency
Squad 02/2012 - Graduated 05/10/12 - 2 Officers - 1 Illness, 1 Training rescheduled
(5)
09/2011 Officer 1 - 23/02/12
Officer 2 - 23/02/12
10/2011 Officer 1 - 03/02/12
12/2011 Officer 1 - 12/07/12
Officer 2 - 12/07/12
Officer 3 - 12/07/12
01/2012 Officer 1 - 08/11/12
Officer 2 - 08/11/12
Officer 3 - Resigned 09/12/12
02/2012 Officer 1 - Resigned
Officer 2 - 08/11/12
(6) This question is only answered in areas of training of critical importance. A graduate may fail a single test or assessment, but attain competence shortly thereafter.
09/2011 - 1 Officer - Driver Training
10/2011 - 2 Officers - Driver Training
11/2011 - 2 Officers - Driver Training
There is a delay when an officer fails a critical skills area due to the nature of the training and limited opportunities to fit additional recruits on scheduled courses. Placements occur either on special formulated remedial classes or upon vacancy when another recruit is not able to accept their place on the course (injury etc).
(7)
09/2011 Officer 1 - Competency achieved 15/02/12
10/2011 Officer 1 - Competency achieved 15/02/12
Officer 2 - Competency achieved 15/02/12
11/2011 Officer 1 - Competency achieved 12/04/12
Officer 2 - Competency achieved 01/02/13
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