25/6/01
All operational police officers in the Western Australian Police Service will be equipped with new semi-automatic pistols within four years, according to Police Minister Michelle Roberts.
Mrs Roberts, who made the commitment at the opening of the 65th Police Union Conference today, said it was an important initiative to help safeguard police officers acting in their line of duty.
"Policing is a tough, difficult and sometimes dangerous job," she said.
"It was an election commitment by this Government to ensure that operational police were properly resourced to perform their task and we have earmarked $20 million for this ongoing program.
"Providing police with necessary protection to do their job highlights that the Gallop Government is committed to finding new opportunities to achieve this election promise."
Mrs Roberts said the majority of operational police were currently issued with a Smith and Wesson revolver. Only police in the specialist squads, like the Tactical Response Group, were provided with the new Smith and Wesson Sigma pistol.
"The previous Government's appalling program on kitting out the service with the new pistols was to issue about 100 pistols a year - a timetable that would take more than 25 years to complete," the Minister said.
"The Court Government were masters on paying lip-service to providing operational police with essential equipment, but were very tight-fisted when it came down to substance and meeting realistic goals.
"We will boost those numbers to providing 750 Sigma pistols a year until all operational police are equipped at an estimated cost of $500,000 a year."
Mrs Roberts said the Police Union had outlined a number of safety concerns in having the .38 calibre revolvers - some up to 20 years old - still in service.
"Firstly, there is a marked difference in handling the two weapons which creates confusion for an officer who may be caught in a difficult situation," she said.
"Police officers have to be trained in using the new pistols, if they are joining a specialist squad, and then retrained in handling the revolver when they return to general duties."
Mrs Roberts said there was also concern that the revolvers did not provide adequate protection, which follows a finding from the New South Wales Coroner on two police officers that were gunned down. The new semi-automatic pistol carries 14 bullets, compared with six bullets in the revolver.
The Minister also outlined the Government's commitment to boost police numbers by 250 officers over the next four years and 40 additional Aboriginal Police Liaison officers (APLO).
In another first, Mrs Roberts told the union conference today that an APLO would be assigned to the Yalgoo Police Station to assist the police staff.
The union has raised concerns over single officer stations, like Yalgoo, following assaults on police officers.
Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600
