Mr. Hort questions whether every police district in WA is operating below authorised strength. The Minister for Police, Mr. Whitby, avoids a direct 'yes' or 'no' answer, instead highlighting the government's investment in and effectiveness of the police force.

AnsweredQoN 174Legislative Assembly
Asked
18 March 2026
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

Police—Staff
174. Mr Adam Hort to
the Minister for Police:
I have a supplementary question. Can the minister
confirm that every police district in this state is operating below the
authorised strength?
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: It is linked to police numbers. Minister.

AnswerView source ↗

What I can confirm
is that when members opposite talk about police numbers being cut in the
regions, as they often do, they are misleading again.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Sorry, Minister for Police, just hold on.
The minister is four seconds into his response. Let him answer the question
without interjections. Minister.
Mr Reece Whitby: Member, I travel this state
extensively. I speak to the officers in charge of all the regions, and I always
ask them the same question: How are your numbers and are you equipped to do the
job? And they are. If there is a surge or an issue that requires attention, we
have our regional surge operations that push extra officers out, as required,
on a seasonal basis. Our regions are well catered for. We have a growing police
force. We have more police being more effective than they ever have been. I am
very proud of what we have been able to achieve in government. I am very proud
of my last 12 months, and I am proud of the previous police minister and the
minister before him, because our police force is the best funded and the most
effective in the country. The sanction rates are rising and our force is the
envy of forces around the country.

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