Police continue their search for Karratha school crossing wardens, after the area goes seven years without one

For seven years, Karratha’s roads have been missing an essential safety service and now police are stepping up their search for traffic wardens to bring it back. The important position ensures school children are able to walk and cross safely when going to and from school. Being without a traffic warden over such a significant period, means school students and their families have had to navigate roads and motor vehicles without additional assistance. In response to this, Western Police is looking to establish a pool of applicants to fill current and future vacancies. The paid role is for school days, Monday to Friday, and is for an hour in the morning and the same in the afternoon. Successful applicants will get $33.42 per hour, which includes 25 per cent loading in lieu of payment for public holidays, annual and sick leave. Full training and an official uniform will be provided and an 80¢ laundry allowance will also be included. Applicants must have a current WA driver’s licence and use of a motorised vehicle, and will be required to undergo a health assessment, integrity and criminal check. If successful after training, the applicant will also need to apply for a Working with Children card, which will cost $70 but will be fully reimbursed after one month of work. Casual contract opportunities are also available. Although advertising for the role police remain unsuccessful in their efforts. Their advertising aims to encourage community members to come forward and deliver a service for their community. Traffic wardens are funded and provided by the WA Police to all Type A Warrant School Crossings. A police spokesperson said the last record of a traffic warden being stationed in Karratha was in December 2018. “While most regional locations are successfully staffed with traffic wardens, Karratha has consistently faced challenges in attracting prospective applicants.” they said. In Kununurra, Port Hedland and Derby there are currently no traffic wardens, while Broome functions with just one. “Occasions do occur where traffic wardens are not available to operate a children’s crossing and whenever possible the affected school is advised by the children’s crossings unit that the crossing will not be staffed.” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said there were more than 600 children’s crossing throughout WA currently staffed by traffic wardens. “The recruitment and retention of traffic wardens is a priority for the children’s crossings unit, which manages the recruitment, training and deployment of traffic wardens,” they said. “It remains standard practice to regularly advertise vacancies for school crossing warden positions where coverage is required, and the WA Police Force urges anyone who is interested in becoming a traffic warden to apply.” Regional areas aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch, Police are also calling for traffic wardens throughout the metropolitan area. Further information and guidance on how to become a traffic warden can be found at wa.gov.au/service/security/law-enforcement/traffic-wardens.