Premier opens new Kensington Police Station

7/3/03
Premier Geoff Gallop today officially opened the new $3million Kensington Police Station.
The Kensington Police Station replaces the old South Perth (built in 1908) and Victoria Park (built in 1968) police stations, which no longer meet the demands of policing in the 21st century.
"Times have changed and crime has changed and therefore we need to provide police with the modern facilities and necessary tools to make our communities safer and more secure," Dr Gallop said.
"This new station will help to foster a strong relationship between the residents of the Kensington Policing Sub-district and its local police officers, with a strong emphasis on community policing and crime prevention.
"It will also provide a major morale boost to officers who have contended with cramped and antiquated quarters at the old stations."
Police Commissioner Barry Matthews welcomed the new station, which he described as a major asset to the WA Police Service.
The station will serve 71, 000 residents, over an area of almost 50sq.km.
Dr Gallop said the new station, located in the middle of the Kensington policing sub-district, offered good public access and police response times to surrounding suburbs.
The station will have a staff contingent of 71 - including 56 general duties officers, 11 detectives and four unsworn officers.
"The 11-member detective team will create a strong local police presence in the area," the Premier said.
Features of the new station include two holding cells, two video interview rooms, a charge room where DNA and fingerprints can be obtained and an operations room to deal with incidents that may occur within the immediate area.
Dr Gallop said the Kensington Police Station had been designed to fit within the residential setting, while at the same time promoting a civic presence which was inviting to the public.
"A police station is an important focal point for the community and it's imperative that a modern station caters for civic pride and public comfort as well as the needs of police," he said.
Premier's office: 9222 9475