WESTERN AUSTRALIA POLICE

OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ~---------------- POLICE HEADQUARTERS

6TH FLOOR Your Ref: Our Ref: IA 1261961

2 ADELAIDE TERRACE, EAST PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6004

TELEPHONE : (08) 9222 1504 FACSIMILE : (08) 9222 1380

Inquiries: executive.services@police.wa.gov.au

Ms Margaret Quirk MLA Chair Community Development and Justice Standing Committee Parliament House PERTH WA 6000

Dear Ms Quirk

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE FROM 15 FEBRUARY 2016 HEARING

Please find attached WA Police's response to Questions on Notice received by WA Police at the appearance before the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee on 15 February 2016.

Please note the guidelines and attachment provided in response to Question 15 are subject to a controlled release process and it is requested the copy not be distributed beyond the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee.

Should you have any further inquiries on this matter, please contact Mrs Andrea Hancock, Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Police on 9222 1276.

Yours sincerely

ANTHONY KANNIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

/ · March 2016

Mission Statement: "To enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of all people in Western Australia by contributing to making our State a safe and secure place."

ATTACHMENT 1

1. The number of Police Orders issued from July 1, 2015 to present (see page 9 of

transcript).

WA Police Response:

Please refer Attachment 2 - Number of Police Orders issued from 1 July 2015 to present

2. Whether Ian Clarke was directed to attend a Saturday afternoon meeting arranged by a

Federal member of parliament (see page 12 of transcript). '

WA Police Response:

The Minister for Police agreed to meet with the Landsdale Community on road safety issues on

Saturday 23 January 2016. The office of the Minister for Police requested an appropriate WA

Police representative also attend this meeting with the Minister. Superintendent Clarke was

directed to attend by Acting Assistant Commissioner Donaldson (Specialist Support Services) .

3. Additional information on training run by SAFESELECT in relation to conducting

recruitment interviews with CaLD and Aboriginal applicants (see page 17 of transcript).

WA Police Response:

The most recent training was delivered by Dr Ken Byrne, Director at SAFESELECT, on

9 September 2015. The training included an agenda item dedicated to the interviewing of

applicants from diverse backgrounds.

SAFESELECT provide an Interview Training Manual to each WA Police panel member which

includes guidance on adapting the structured TRAIT interview for Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander applicants.

4. Advice as to how WA Police conducts its own substantive equality training (for example,

what the training consists of and how its effectiveness is assessed) (see page 18 of

transcript).

WA Police Response:

Substantive Equality is covered in EO training and at least one of the assessment questions

relates to this topic.

Mission Statement: 'To enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of all people in Western Australia by contributing to making our State a safe and secure place."

Officers involved in EO Training, Investigation and Support have variously attended the

following courses:

• Introduction to EO Law

• EO Law and Workplace Culture

• Sexual Harassment - Define the Line

• The Challenges and Success of Practising Conciliation in Government Agencies

5. Number of recruits found to be unfit for policing during recruit training and probationary

period, for the period from 2013 to present (as per Auditors General's 2012 report) (see

page 18 of transcript).

WA Police Response:

For the purpose of responding, the reference to the term 'recruit found to be unfit' means a

Probationary Constable who during or post Academy training and prior to the· completion of the

two year probationary period is a$sessed to be unsuitable for permanent appointment.

In the period 2013 to present, six (6) trainees were identified as being unsuitable for permanent

appointment and either resigned or were removed pursuant to regulation 505A Police Force

Regulations 1979.

6. Percentage of sworn officers (i.e. employed under Police Act 1892) from a CaLD

background (see page 19 of transcript).

WA Police Response:

As at 31 December 2015, the percentage of sworn officers (employed under the Police Act

1892) from a CaLD background in WA Police is 5%. It should be noted, the data collected is

from voluntary self-identification by employees so it may not be all inclusive.

7. The approximate cost of training a recruit and of training an auxiliary officer (most

recent figure) (see page 26 of transcript).

WA Police Response

The average cost of training a Police recruit at the Police Academy is $84,000 based on

2014-15 costs. In addition, the average cost of training a Police Auxiliary Officer is $32,000

based on an average 1 O week course, and 2014-15 costs. These costs relate to the time the

recruit is being trained at the Academy and do not include the salary costs of probation

following the Academy training.

Mission Statement: 'To enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of all people in Western Australia by contributing to making our State a safe and secure place. "

8. The number of serving officers currently suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder

(see page 32 of transcript).

WA Police Response:

A file review has been undertaken of current open case files with the WA Police Vocational

Rehabilitation Unit and the WA Police Psychology Unit.

• The Vocational Rehabilitation Unit is currently managing four (4) Officers with a

diagnosis of PTSD.

• The Psychology Unit currently has one (1) case of PTSD.

• In total there are five (5) cases out of 121 current clients which represents 4% of that

case load.

• The agency has 6,275 police officers as at 31 January 2016. Five (5) PSTD cases

represents less than 1 %.

• This number only includes those officers who have presented with a diagnosis and are

seeking assistance through the agency. There may be officers who are seeking

assistance privately, who are not requiring assistance to remain at work and/or have not

submitted a work related claim.

9. Any correspondence received in relation to officers being unable to access ongoing

training courses (see page 28 of transcript).

WA Police Response:

Letters were received from the WA Police Union on 16 March 2015 concerning:

WA Police Training - Life Support Refreshers

WA Police Training - Supervisor's Courses for Non Commissioned Officers

The Committee is requested to advise WA Police, should it know of any further

correspondence it believes we should have received in relation to this matter.

10. When the review of the mental health strategy being undertaken by the Health and

Safety division will be completed (see page 34 of transcript).

WA Police Response:·

It is expected to be completed in May 2016.

Mission Statement: 'To enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of all people in Western Australia by contributing to making our State a safe and secure place."

11. Exact figures on rates of success amongst police auxiliary officers wishing to transition

to fully sworn officers (see page 16).

WA Police Response:

The application rate and success rate for current PAO applying to transition to recruit from

01/01/2015 to 31/12/2015.

PAO-Cadets

Of the 37 applications received from cadets applying for police recruit:

• 24 have commenced in a recruit school;

• One (1) is in the selection pool waiting selection to a recruit school; and

• 12 were unsuccessful for a recruit role, however of these, 3 were diverted to a PAO

Custody Support role (1 has commenced in a PAO Custody Support school and 2 are in the

selection pool waiting future placement).

During the period, 67.6% of cadet applicants were successful in their application for recruit,

8.1 % were successful in their application for PAO Custody Support and 24.3% were

unsuccessful.

PAO - Custody Support

27 applications were received from PAO Custody Support Officers applying for police recruit.

11 applicants are still progressing in the recruitment process and 1 applicant withdrew. Of the

15 applicants with an outcome in the recruitment process:

• 6.have commenced in a recruit school;

• 3 are in the selection pool waiting selection to a recruit school ; and

• 6 were unsuccessful.

During the period, 60% of PAO Custody Support applicants were successful in their application

for police recruit and 40% were unsuccessful.

PAO - Other Categories

No applications received for police recruit.

Mission Statement: 'To enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of all people in Western Australia by contributing to making our State a safe and secure place. "

12. The five criteria which police auxiliary officers receive feedback on if their applications

to transition are unsuccessful (see page 16).

WA Police Response:

The five (5) police recruit criteria which current PAO receive feedback on are as follows:

• Analytical, Comprehension and Problem Solving Skills

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Team Work

• Adaptability and Judgement

• Personal Drive and Integrity

13. The date when WA Police began allowing Aboriginal and CaLD applicants who failed to

meet PEE benchmarks to progress to the next stage of testing regardless of their

result? (see page 17).

WA Police f'.lesponse:

In February 2014, adjustments were made to the Police Entrance Evaluation (PEE) with all

PEE test results for diverse applicants to be fully considered by the Executive Manager, Police

Recruiting and discretion applied.

Since March 2015, further data collected and analysed identified particular areas of difficulty in

the PEE for Aboriginal and CaLD applicants. Where Aboriginal and CaLD applicants had

issues with these identified areas of difficulty, they are progressed to the next stage of the

recruitment process to be assessed further.

14. Whether WA Police collects Australian Vocational Education and Training Management

Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) data and quality indicator data in

accordance with clause 7.5 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations

(RTOs) 2015.

WA Police Response:

Yes

Mission Statement: 'To enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of all people in Western Australia by contributing to making our State a safe and secure place."

a) If yes, what information is collected and for which specific training activities?

WA Police Response:

• Competency Completion Online System (CCOS). This report details the number of

enrolments and completions in a year at both qualification and unit of competency level.

• This information is forwarded to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research

(NCVER).

• Learner and Employer Surveys. This report provides the survey responses from

students and employers and allows for benchmarking and bringing about improvements

to training and assessment.

• This information is forwarded to the Training Accreditation Council of Western Australia

(TAC).

• Both these reports are due annually on 30 June, for reporting on January to December

of the previous calendar year.

b) What authority does WA Police provide this information to?

WA Police Response:

Under the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, WA Police is

required to submit Quality Indicators for the above criteria.

15. ANZPAA guidelines used to guide training (i.e. ANZPAA education and training

guidelines - Practice Level of a police Officer).

WA Police Response:

Australian jurisdictions have been involved in the development of a number of training and

education guidelines for both practice levels of policing as well as role specific areas. 30

Guidelines have been developed with a further three currently under development.

Mission Statement: 'To enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of all people in Western Australia by contributing to making our State a safe and secure place."

Below is a copy of the Practice Level of a Police Officer. These Guidelines are subject to a

controlled release process and it is requested the copy not be distributed beyond the

Community Development and Justice Standing Committee.

List of Guidelines Developed Technology Crime Investigators and Digital Evidence Practitioners and Online Practitioners Appendix

Crash Investigators and Crash Analysts

Practice Level of a Police Officer

Family and Domestic Violence

Mental Health

Forensic Firearms Examination

Practice Level of a Police Supervisor

Police Intelligence

Police Investigation

Community Engagement Crime Scene Investigation

Forensic Fingerprint Investigation

Incident and Emergency Management

Practice Level of Police Manager

Investigative Interviewing of Vulnerable Persons

Practice Level of Police Executive

Forensic Investigation

Police Search and Rescue

Police Prosecutions

Police Negotiation

Police Dog Handling

Police Surveillance Operations

Police Protection

Undercover Operations and Human Source Management

Document Examination

Audio Video Examination

Police Educators, Trainers and Assessors

Mounted Policing Operations

Tactical Flight Officers Police Educators, Trainers and Assessors List of Guidelines Currently Under Development~

, __ Clandestine Laboratories

Police Custody Officer

Hazardous Devices

These Guidelines have been developed alongside a review of associated policing qualifications

from the Police Training Package (POL T) and aligned accordingly. They have been

benchmarked nationally and internationally and are currently used by WA Police to inform and

support the review of courses, curriculum and other training related products.

Mission Statement: 'To enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of all people in Westem Australia by contributing to making our State a safe and secure place."