WA Police Force privacy statement

About this privacy statement

The Western Australia Police Force (WA Police Force) is committed to safeguarding the privacy of individuals and managing their personal information (including sensitive personal information), responsibly.

This privacy statement outlines the ongoing obligations and practices of the WA Police Force regarding the collection, use, disclosure, security, storage and disposal of personal information.

The Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) outlined in the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 (WA) (PRIS Act) govern how personal information is to be handled by IPP entities in Western Australia.

The WA Police Force is an IPP entity and law enforcement agency as defined by the PRIS Act. Accordingly, WA Police Force is required to comply with the IPPs, subject to any exceptions that may apply when undertaking law enforcement functions (which also include community policing functions as defined in the PRIS Act).

What is personal information?

Personal information can include name, date of birth, address, contact information, location information, unique identifiers (e.g. drivers licence number or IP address), including information that may relate to an individual’s features or behaviour. It can also include personal information about deceased persons and inferences made about people.

What is sensitive personal information?

Sensitive personal information can include information that relates to an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, or criminal record. It also includes health, genetic or genomic and biometric information.

Collection of personal information

When the WA Police Force collects personal information, where appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, steps will be taken to explain to an individual why the information is being collected, and how it may be used.

Information collection for a law enforcement purpose

The WA Police Force collects information necessary for the effective delivery of its primary law enforcement functions. These responsibilities include preventing, detecting and investigating crime, community policing, managing and coordinating emergency responses, and enforcing the law.

The duties, powers and functions of the WA Police Force are primarily established under the Police Act 1982 (WA), but are also contained in other legislation (e.g. the Criminal Code (WA), Criminal Investigation Act 2006 (WA), Road Traffic Act 1974 (WA), Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA), and in a range of delegated and regulatory instruments).

Information may be collected in the course of these policing activities and through public reporting mechanisms such as Crime Stoppers.

Information collection for non-law enforcement purposes

Generally, you will be aware if the WA Police Force is collecting your personal information as you will have been directly asked to provide it. For instance, if you submit an online form to request a service, you will be prompted to provide certain personal details such as name and contact information.

Providing the WA Police Force with the requested information is voluntary. However, if you do not choose to provide the requested information, it may not be possible to respond to you or provide you with the service you are seeking.

Specific information on data collection is available within the relevant service you are seeking.

Use and disclosure of personal information

The WA Police Force is generally restricted to only use or disclose personal information for the primary purpose it was collected. However, in certain circumstances, we may use or disclose personal information for a secondary purpose.

A secondary purpose may include if an individual consents, if the law allows it, to prevent a serious threat of harm to an individual or the public, if it is necessary for a law enforcement function, or to facilitate court proceedings.

Accordingly, the WA Police Force may use any available information they have collected to carry out their primary law enforcement functions.

If the information is sensitive personal information, it will only be used or disclosed if it would be reasonably expected that the WA Police Force may use it for that secondary purpose, and the secondary use is directly related to the primary purpose it was collected.

Your personal information will always be used and disclosed in accordance with the PRIS Act and any other applicable legislation, in a fair and reasonable way. The WA Police Force may consider its sensitivity, whether use or disclosure may be expected and any risk of harm or loss to any individual if the information is used or disclosed.

Information sharing agreements

The WA Police Force may also use available information in support of other government functions through information sharing agreements (ISA).

ISAs authorise and regulate the disclosure, collection, holding and management of information between public entities, in accordance with the PRIS Act’s IPPs and privacy safeguards, to facilitate and support government policy, programs and services.

Security of personal information

The WA Police Force maintains a high standard of information security. Rational security measures are implemented to reasonably protect personal information against unauthorised access, use, modification and disclosure.

All information held by the WA Police Force is kept in a secure environment and made available only to authorised personnel who have a legitimate and demonstrated need to access the information. This provides a high standard of protection, supported by both procedural safeguards and current technologies.

WA Police Force operates under the State Records Act 2000 (WA) and all personal information is managed in accordance with our Record Keeping Plan.

Access to your personal information

You have the right to request access to your personal information held by the WA Police Force under the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (WA). Submitting a Freedom of Information (FOI) Access Application allows individuals to view their own records and ensure that personal information is accurate, complete, up to date and not misleading.

Visit the WA Police Force Freedom of Information page for further information on how to submit an FOI request.

View the WA Police Force Freedom of Information – Information Statement.

Maintaining the quality of your personal information

The WA Police Force is committed to ensuring that the personal information it holds is accurate, complete and up to date. Reasonable steps are taken to maintain the quality and integrity of the information collected and stored.

If your personal information held by the WA Police Force is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date you can request amendments or notations through the FOI process.

Enquiries and complaints

For any questions or concerns relating to the WA Police Force Privacy Statement, or if you believe that the principles outlined above have not been complied with, you can make enquiries through the Office of the Information Commissioner Privacy Rights or directly to WA Police Force at Contact WA Police.

Download the collection notice - law enforcement (PDF, 150KB)

Download the WA Police Force Privacy Statement (PDF, 439KB)