WA's police force boosted with first intake of police auxiliary officers

Frontline police services were boosted today with the first intake of police auxiliary officer recruits.

Police Minister Rob Johnson said today's swearing in of 19 police auxillary officers complemented the boost of 60 fully-sworn officers which graduated on Friday.

"With these new officers Western Australia's police force has never been so well-resourced," Mr Johnson said.

"These new police auxiliary officers will provide essential support to our police force by performing supportive and administrative duties that were previously undertaken by tactically-trained police officers.

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

"This Government promised to have more police officers out on the beat and we are delivering on that commitment."

The Minister said the State Government had allocated $208.5million in recurrent funding to fulfil its election pledge to boost police ranks with an additional 500 officers and 200 support staff.

The police auxiliary officers would be primarily responsible for detainee custody, but would also deal with firearm; property; drugs; and exhibit recording and movements, as well as other support roles at police stations.

The police auxiliary officers would be initially based at the Perth Watch House for six to eight weeks before being sent to their stations.  Two would be sent to Geraldton and Bunbury, while the rest would be deployed to the six major metropolitan districts.