The McGowan Labor Government’s Police investment in the 2022-23 State Budget is delivering a record increase in the number of officers on the beat, while equipping them with world leading capabilities to keep the community safe.
An additional $16.4 million will be invested in new staff to support the extra 950 new police officers being employed, above attrition, as part of the State Government’s work to boost overall officer numbers by 15 per cent.
The record recruitment drive will also be backed by a $3.6 million advertising campaign ensuring WA Police continues to attract the very best candidates.
The 2022-23 State Budget has also allocated $60.9 million of additional funding for police to continue to protect the State during the pandemic.
$47.9 million is being invested in police digital capability, delivering upgrades to information and communications technology to further support operations around the State.
$11.1 million will go to funding the operating costs of the new Armadale Courthouse and Police Complex.
The McGowan Government has also allocated $12.3 million over the forward estimates to deliver the landmark Police Compensation Scheme.
$2.5 million will ensure Operation Regional Shield continues to tackle youth crime in the regions, as a part of the McGowan Government’s $40.4 million Kimberley Youth and Community Justice Response, and other efforts to tackle crime in the State’s north.
Operation Regional Shield puts additional police capability in any part of regional Western Australia wherever and whenever it is needed.
More than $118 million from the Road Trauma Trust Account will be spent on a variety of road safety programs to continue efforts to reduce the senseless loss of life on our roads.
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As stated by Police and Road Safety Minister Paul Papalia:
“The McGowan Government will continue to provide strong funding support to WA Police to keep our community safe.
“Police will have at their disposal an operating budget of almost $1.8 billion – ensuring our world class police have world class tools, assets and capability.
“The State Government is absolutely focused on doing everything we can to keep the community safe.
“We have more police on our streets than ever before. We are building a bigger, better equipped police force than ever before. We are building the police force of the future, today.
“We are investing in a record increase in the number of police out on the beat, ensuring we can respond to criminal activity quickly and decisively.”
