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Coronavirus crisis: Mark McGowan announces State Government will spend $91m fast-tracking police recruits, adding new technology for COVID-19 battle

Peter LawThe West Australian
VideoGreg Hunt states that deliberate transmission of COVID-19 is an offence.

Mark McGowan says an extra 150 police officers will be recruited to bolster the frontline in the coronavirus battle.

Another 135 recruits in the police academy will also be fast-tracked, the Premier announced at a regional checkpoint at Chidlow.

The $91 million boost for WA Police also includes funding for automatic number plate detection technology and ankle bracelets to track people who ignore quarantine or isolation orders.

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The announcement comes after new figures showed crime had dropped sharply since social distancing measures started last month.

Police, however, have been tasked with enforcing the interstate and intrastate border closures, including manning check points and conducting mobile patrols.

Mr McGowan said more than 1300 people have been turned around at regional check points set up to slow the spread of COVID-19.

GEN Royal Perth Hospital Covic-19 clinic.
Camera IconGEN Royal Perth Hospital Covic-19 clinic. Credit: Iain Gillespie The West Australian

He said this Easter would be like no other and urged West Australians to stay home and for “idiots” not to take risks.

Mr McGowan revealed five people had been stopped from entering WA since the State’s border closed at midnight on Sunday.

He said more than 2700 people had been allowed into the State after being granted an exemption on work or compassionate grounds.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said far fewer people were expected to be on the roads this Easter due to the travel bans.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said travel bans mean fewer people are expected to be on the roads this Easter.
Camera IconPolice Minister Michelle Roberts said travel bans mean fewer people are expected to be on the roads this Easter. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian

She said one upside of the pandemic was that it would have significant positive impact on WA’s road death toll.

Mrs Roberts said the fast-tracked recruits would fill backroom roles at stations to free-up fully qualified officers to be on the streets.

She said ANPR technology would be used to ensure people were not driving crossing regional boundaries without permission.

WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said many officers were performing extra duties to keep the State safe from COVID-19.

This is a dangerous time.

“This is a dangerous time … most West Australians are doing the right thing and we implore you to maintain disciple on adhering to social distancing,” he said.

Mr Dawson said the extra 285 officers would be a “welcome support” to the existing workforce who were “under a lot of strain at the moment”.

He said ANPR was already in use at the Chidlow checkpoint and allowed heavy haulage trucks to pass through without stopping. An extra 100 cameras would be deployed across the State.

Ten people had been charged with failing to comply with quarantine directions, and another three people were issued $1000 on-the-spot fines for breaching isolation.

A 23-year-old man who went to Bunbury hospital with a respiratory illness and allegedly coughed and sneezed at healthcare workers has also been charged.

Mr Dawson said beaches were being patrolled, but the force did not want to discourage people from exercising.
Camera IconMr Dawson said beaches were being patrolled, but the force did not want to discourage people from exercising. Credit: File

Mr Dawson said beaches were being patrolled, but the force did not want to discourage people from exercising.

“I want to see people to go about their lives as normally as they can … going to the beach is not a crime, as long as you adhere to social distancing and keep 1.5 metres apart,” he said.

“What we are saying is, don’t drive away from your home these holidays.”

Mr McGowan said he did not want to flag any easing of restrictions, and again stressing that it was “not a short-term proposition”.

He said the measures would be reviewed each month but he did not want the WA public to become complacent.

Legislation to protect residential tenants was being drafted and could be tabled in Parliament as early as next week.

Reducing land tax for landlords, who would in-turn pass on the savings to tenants, forms part of plans for commercial tenancies.

The Premier also revealed that a review of protocols at hospitals had been launched after the death of Bibra Lake grandmother Maureen Preedy.

He said six cruise ships were sailing in the Great Australian Bight carrying thousands of crew would pass WA ports on their way to their final destinations.

“We don’t want the cruise ships to suddenly come in here because it would be very difficult to deal with. We’ve been advised they have refuelled and reprovisioned, but it is a matter of some concern,” Mr McGowan said.

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