Advice awaited on Desmond Smith case

Police Minister Graham Edwards said he was awaiting advice from Crown Law on whether there were grounds for appeal over the Industrial Relations Commission's finding on former police sergeant Desmond Smith.

"However, unless there are compelling reasons to appeal - or any other legal obstacles to Mr Smith's reinstatement - we will abide by Commissioner Halliwell's decision," Mr Edwards said.

He said he fully supported Police Commissioner Brian Bull's decision to dismiss Mr Smith.

"The simple fact is that the community cannot tolerate a situation where an officer abuses the responsibility placed in him by assaulting a juvenile," Mr Edwards said.

"Commissioner Bull acted in the best interests of the Western Australian Police Force by putting the standing and integrity of its officers first.

"At the same time, we also accepted that Mr Smith deserved an opportunity for natural justice and we raised no objection to his appeal going before the Industrial Relations Commission.

"The issues raised also give further impetus to the Government's decision to establish a police board."

Mr Edwards said he accepted Commissioner Halliwell's view that police lock-ups were unpleasant places to work in.

"Indeed, many tasks in policing are unpleasant and stressful, which is why we supported award claims for eight weeks' annual leave and put in place in-house counselling services to help officers cope with that stress."

Mr Edwards said a decision had already been made to remove police officers from lock-up duty and replace them with trained personnel.

Fremantle lock-up had already undergone minor improvements and police had put forward a submission for a major upgrade which would be considered by the next meeting of the Government's expenditure review committee.

Mr Edwards said he was still awaiting the outcome of an investigation by the Ombudsman's office, which was looking into a number of circumstances surrounding the incident.