Key WA Police initiatives which address SSDV (Part 2)

WA Police works proactively to ensure officers are adequately skilled to provide professional police responses to the DSG community.

The following text has been provided by WA Police to assist us in educating the DSG community on how to report domestic violence to the police and to ensure their safety at all times.

2. Key WA Police initiatives which address SSDV

 

WA Police works proactively to ensure officers are adequately skilled to provide professional police responses to the DSG community.

 

•  Diversity Training for Recruits – People of Diverse Sexuality and Gender

 

WA Police recruits receive training on Policing and People of Diverse Sexuality and Gender. The program explores how DSG community issues may be important for police. Issues include:

• historical relations between police and the DSG community

• myths and realities about the DSG community

•  the issue of “outing”.

 

The program is collaboratively delivered by Gay and Lesbian Community Services and the WA Police.

 

•  Family and Domestic Violence Training for Recruits

 

WA Police recruits receive training on FDV during the initial six month training course at the WA Police Academy. The course covers legislation and standard police operating procedures. The training includes some real life SSDV scenarios which are assessed as part of the policing qualification.

 

•  Family and Domestic Violence Training for Family Protection Coordinators

 

The Family Violence State Coordination Unit (FVSCU) is responsible for providing a framework and clear guidance for WA Police personnel in respect of family and domestic violence issues. 

 

The unit is also responsible for providing a corporate response to family and domestic violence issues. The State Coordinator for Family Violence provides WA Police representation on relevant inter-agency forums and offers a central coordination and liaison point for those forums. FVSCU Project officers research, collate and analyse intelligence to identify trends in family violence and develop strategies to address these trends. These officers work closely with District Family Protection Coordinators and other organisations, including, but not limited to the Department for Child Protection, Department of the Attorney General, Department of Education and Training and Department of Health.

 

Regular contact and information sessions held between FVSCU officers and the district coordinators ensure they are aware of a variety of present-day issues. This contact provides a flow on effect ensuring frontline officers are abreast of these issues.

 

• Support for WA Pride FairDay

 

In 2009, WA Police was actively involved in the FairDay activities. In conjunction with SSDAG, WA Police Recruitment held a stall, providing information on how to join the WA Police as well as handing out information on SSDV. This allowed police officers and staff to be available to answer any questions from the community aimed at improving community awareness and confidence in the WA Police.  

 

Complaints

 

If you are unhappy with police attendance or investigation of a FDV incident, you may wish to speak to your local Family Protection Coordinator for the district in which you reside.  They may be able to assist you with your grievance, and this is a good place to start to get assistance in resolving your complaint. Alternatively, the information below has been taken from the WA Police internet site to assist:

 

To make a complaint about WA Police, you are encouraged to contact your nearest police station or district office in person, by telephone, or in writing.

 

If you are making a written complaint make sure you keep a copy of any letter you send. If you are making a report by telephone keep a record of the time and date and the name of the person you spoke to and what they agreed to do.

 

A complaint can be made:

• by telephone or in person to any police station or district office;

• by calling the Police Complaints Administration Centre on (08) 9223 1000;  

• by emailing the Police Complaints Administration Centre;

• by calling Internal Affairs Unit on (08) 9223 1038 or (08) 9223 1051; or

 

In writing to:

Corruption and Crime Commission

PO Box 7667

Cloisters Square

St Georges Terrace

Perth WA 6850

 

You can also send your written complaint to:

Police Complaints Administration Centre

10th Floor

Septimus Roe Square

256 Adelaide Terrace

Perth WA 6000