The introduction of WA Police auxiliary officers under the Police Act 1852 will provide essential support to police officers. Police auxiliary officers will perform operational administrative duties previously undertaken by police officers that do not require full police powers, resulting in police officers being released to frontline duties.   

Training has commenced for the first appointment of police auxiliary officers, following State Government funding for 40 positions this financial year.
 
37 police auxiliary officers will be allocated to districts across the metropolitan area, as well as Bunbury and Geraldton. Their role will be to perform custodial duties; handling of firearms, property, exhibits and drugs; crossing guard duties; processing of summons and restraining orders on police premises; and other support tasks.
 
The remaining three police auxiliary officers have been assigned to the Offender Review Unit, to ensure the ongoing provision of quality WA Police representation at all Prisoners Review Board and Juvenile Review Board meetings.  

These officers will provide advice to the boards as equal members, and will be required to state whether WA Police recommends a prisoner's release on parole or whether their parole be denied or deferred. This is a more senior position requiring significantly more experience and knowledge of legislation than the custody/support role in districts, and has been remunerated accordingly.

The first intake of police auxiliary officers commenced on 26 April, followed by a second intake commencing 7 June 2010. 

More detailed information about police auxiliary officers is available at www.stepforward.wa.gov.au.

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