Sharp rise in assaults against police in Mid West and Gascoyne draws call from union for tougher punishments

Reported assaults against police officers in the Mid West and Gascoyne district more than doubled last year, prompting calls from the police union for tougher punishments against culprits.

Statistics from WA Police show the rate of reported assaults against police officers increased by 103 per cent, from 60 cases in 2021 to 122 in 2022.

The sharp rise was the second largest in WA Police’s regional and metropolitan districts.

The Kimberley, which saw an increase of 65 offences, was the worst area, recording the most police assaults overall in regional WA with a total of 164 and an annual rise of 152 per cent.

WA Police Union acting president Paul Gale said the statistics reflected a troubling situation throughout the regions north of Perth.

“We’re being bashed in the Mid West; we’re being spat on the Pilbara; and we’re being rammed in the Kimberley,” he said.

Mr Gale said the State Government needed to implement stricter consequences to deter criminals.

“The Government needs to send the message that attacking a police officer or ramming their vehicle is not OK,” he said.

“One of the ways that they can do that is to make ramming a police car a specific and mandatory offence, carrying a term of imprisonment of 3 years, or 10 years if the vehicle is stolen.”

On December 28 last year, Geraldton police officer Sen. Const Adam Kelly suffered facial injuries after allegedly being kicked in the head while trying to quell a melee involving up to 20 people on Marine Terrace.

Perth district saw the most overall reported cases, with 254 assaults against police officers.

There were 1312 reported assaults against officers in 2022, up from 1148 in 2021, a jump of 14 per cent.

At the start of the year, Mid West Gascoyne District Supt Steve Post said he had noticed an increase in his officers being attacked. “I’m disappointed to see in recent weeks the officers in this district have been subject to assaults while going about their duty to protect the community,” he said.

“We will pursue charges against people who assault police officers and put them before the courts to be dealt with appropriately.”