Recruitment of new auxiliary police officers set to begin

The first intake of Western Australia's auxiliary police officers will begin early next year following the successful passage of the Police Amendment Bill 2009 in State Parliament last night.

Police Minister Rob Johnson said putting more police on the front-line was the latest step in the State Government's tough law and order program, following the passing of tough new weapons legislation this week.

Mr Johnson said the auxiliary officers would provide operational support, releasing fully-sworn police for front-line duties, further boosting community safety.

"The Government has allocated $208.5million in recurrent funding - beginning in 2009-10 and continuing across the forward estimates - to fulfil its election pledge to boost police ranks with an additional 500 officers and 200 support staff," he said.

"The first intake of auxiliary police officers will be a welcome addition and will be deployed to the Perth Watch House, all six metropolitan districts and regional WA.

"Police auxiliary officers will perform custodial duties in lockups and prisoner transportation; manage and handle drugs, property and firearms; as well as carry out other support roles at police stations.

"This will enable officers and detectives to concentrate on what they have been trained to do, which is to be out patrolling the streets fighting crime."

The Minister said police auxiliary officers would be selected according to high standards, reflecting the nature of the role in operational support to police.

Selection standards for police auxiliary officers will include written tests, psychological screening and medical assessment.

The training course will be 12 weeks long and officers will be subject to a probation period.

Auxiliary officers will wear a uniform to identify them as a member of WA Police, but distinguish them from fully-sworn police officers.  They will not carry firearms but will be issued with other defensive equipment as determined by the Police Commissioner.

Marketing and advertising for the new positions is due to begin immediately, with the application period commencing mid-January 2010.

For more details, visit http://www.stepforward.wa.gov.au/ or phone 9301 9607.