Zak Kirkup and the WA Liberals will guarantee a full-strength police force for the Kimberley to help the region’s fight against out of control crime.
The Liberal Leader flew to Broome on Monday to attend a community safety forum which was organised because of the fears of local residents.
“This Labor Government has neglected Broome and the Kimberley region by under-resourcing police numbers by 18 officers,” Mr Kirkup said.
“It is little wonder crime is such a major issue. Violent crime in regional Western Australia is the highest on record.
“It is out of control and I can understand why people in Broome and the Kimberley are so frustrated.
“They don’t feel safe. They deserve a stronger police presence, so under a Liberal Government I can guarantee the Kimberley will receive full-strength police resourcing.
“A Liberal Government will give the region the extra 18 officers it deserves as part of our plan for a safer and smarter today for a brighter and better tomorrow for all West Australians. We want people in Broome and the Kimberley, including tourists, to feel safe and secure.
“I can’t believe the Police Minister didn’t come to Broome for a forum about crime and safety, and instead Labor sent the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
“This is a police resourcing issue. Labor are happy to sweep this under the carpet by producing selective statistics in a bid to try and play down the severity of the situation.
“That is an insult to the Broome community and shows that Labor don’t care about them and aren’t prepared to get involved in the tough issues.
“Labor has ignored regional WA. Eleven of the 15 police districts in the State aren’t staffed adequately. This government has not provided the WA Police Force with the staffing levels it deserves to protect all West Australians during its four years in government.”