Pilbara police officers ‘at breaking point’

Pilbara District police officers say the workload is increasing and support decreasing, according to WA Police Union survey results.

More than 1000 officers took part in the survey, which was used by many as an opportunity to vent frustrations over increasing workloads, staff shortages, and concerns for their own safety and that of their communities.

In the Pilbara District alone, 79.6 per cent of members reported their workload had increased over the past 12 months and nearly 90 per cent did not believe their stations had enough officers. WA Police Union president George Tilbury said the result of the survey spoke for itself.

“Frontline officers are frustrated and at breaking point,” he said. “The lack of back-up for regional officers is a serious safety concern. The fact that there aren’t enough officers to provide urgent back-up in a timely manner puts the lives of our members and the community at risk.”

The police union, which is pushing for 1000 extra officers to be hired in the next four years, described the findings as a wake-up call.

“If we don’t fix these resourcing issues now, crime will spiral, more people will die on our roads, and morale will fall to an all-time low,” Mr Tilbury said.

“The troops on the ground strongly believe that the hierarchy has lost touch with what is happening on the front line.”

In response to the survey results, a police spokesman said the Pilbara District superintendent was able to use the resources available in the most effective way to ensure the community always got the best response.

“Our officers are busy and the efforts they put in each and every day serving the Pilbara district is appreciated,” he said.