WA Police Union urges State Government action after ‘disturbing’ incidents against Kimberley police

The WA Police Union has called on the State Government to take immediate action against “disturbing” incidents of violence against Kimberley police, with figures showing a 10-year high in assaults on officers.

The figures, released by WAPU in July, show assault against Kimberley police officers were up 22.2 per cent on the 12 months prior, and come as several sickening alleged cases fronted Kimberley courts recently.

On October 10, Broome Magistrate’s Court heard Luke Robert McEwan, 42, plead guilty to a raft of charges relating to his escape from lawful custody — in which he assaulted five local officers.

The same day, Broome Magistrate’s Court also heard the alleged threats Patric Ryan, 45, levelled against officers.

Mr Ryan was charged with making threats to kill after he allegedly called Broome Police Station and threatened to “start killing police officers with an axe” and telling those on the phone line to “find six body bags to pick up the pieces”.

Another man, Dwayne Roe, 36, pleaded guilty to threatening a police officer after he called Broome Police Station up to 30 times on July 29, threatening to “rape and kill” a specific police officer’s wife and daughter, and to walk into a government department with a knife.

On October 17, ABC Kimberley reported a Kimberley police officer had asked to be transferred out of Fitzroy Crossing after three people allegedly broke into his home in what police believe to be a targeted attack.

The incidents reflect WA Police Union figures released in July that show assaults on police officers are at a 10-year high, with a 22.2 per cent increase in public officer assaults in the Kimberley over the past 12 months alone.

According to the numbers, nine out of the 15 WA policing districts had seen an increase, with an 8.7 percent rise across the State as assaults on officers increased for the fifth consecutive year.

A drastic rise in crime in the Kimberley over the past 10 years was also revealed by a WA Police Union study released in March which showed a 96 per cent increase in the severity of crime in the Kimberley over the past decade.

The Kimberley also had the highest police job vacancy rate in WA.

WA Liberal Member Neil Thomson said the recent cases highlighted the plight of government workers in the Kimberley.

“Life in a small town in regional WA is very different from that in Perth — where everybody knows who lives where and this creates a unique vulnerability for the families of public officers including the families of our hardworking police,” he said.

“There should be an urgent and comprehensive review of security and safety affecting our public officers and their families in our regions, including a review of security measures in Government Regional Officer Housing.

“We must create a safe environment for our public officers if we are to retain staff in the region.”

“There’s enough statistical data that would recommend additional resources being permanently placed in places like Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, Kununurra and Derby, but with additional officers there is a need for more government housing,” he said.

“You’re never really off-duty. You only get paid for say a 10-hour shift but when you get into the IGA, everyone knows that you’re the local copper and sadly some elements of the community decide to target them or intimidate them, which is shameful.

“Sometimes officers can’t sit down at the local pub and enjoy a beer without someone tapping them on the shoulder and maybe having a crack because they were at their house the night before for domestic incident.”

In April, more than 30 officers and extra policing resources were sent to the Kimberley as part of Operation Regional Shield to tackle the increase of youth crime that last year saw young people “hunting” police with stolen vehicles.

It came after an incident in Fitzroy Crossing in September 2021 when Sergeant Neville Ripp was severely injured after two teenagers, driving a stolen Toyota LandCruiser, rammed his vehicle.

WA Opposition leader Mia Davies said it wasn’t just officers being targeted, highlighting a recent incident in which four nurses fled Halls Creek after they were attacked by youths throwing rocks, injuring a staff member and terrifying elderly patients.

“The Government is failing to support local police who are trying their best to handle this crisis,” she said.

“We have raised the issue of low levels of morale within the police force, the high attrition rate and the impact of living and working in communities that are besieged by constant antisocial behaviour.

“There needs to be greater investment into youth and family support, local justice and diversionary programs and housing to address overcrowding and dysfunctional living circumstances.”

It comes as WA Police launched a month of industrial action over a pay and conditions claim, saying officers have been let down after doing their part to protect the State during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A WA Police Force spokesperson said they acknowledged officers “have a difficult job”.

“Particularly in areas such as the Kimberley in which crime has increased,” they said.

“The Kimberley District Office and the WA Police Force executive will continue to provide support to officers when and where needed.

“Operation Regional Shield continues as a sustained operation in which additional police personnel have been deployed to the Kimberley District to tackle crime issues. To date, an extensive amount of charges have resulted from Operation Regional Shield, resulting in positive impacts on the community.”

WA Police Minister Paul Papalia was contacted for comment but did not respond by time of print.