Western Australia’s police officers show up every day. No matter the shift, no matter the job, members are on the frontline keeping the community safe.
But behind that commitment, new national data is telling a different story. One that deserves attention.
Recent findings from the Productivity Commission’s 2026 Report on Government Services show that WA now has the lowest proportion of operational sworn officers in the country. While that might sound like a technical statistic, it has real implications for workload, wellbeing and the future of policing in our state.
Operational sworn officers are those doing frontline policing work. They are responding to calls, investigating offences, maintaining public order and supporting the community day in and day out.
They are the backbone of policing.
In 2024–25, WA Police had 7,105 sworn officers (full-time equivalent), with 91.3% classified as operational. While that may seem high, it is the lowest proportion across all Australian jurisdictions.
Put simply, WA has fewer officers available for frontline duties, proportionally, than anywhere else in the country.
There has been a slight improvement in operational numbers compared to last year, but the bigger concern is that we have not returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Members who worked through COVID will know exactly what that meant. Increased demand, shifting priorities and stretched resources across the board.
The expectation was that once those pressures eased, resourcing would recover.
The data suggests that has not fully happened.
This raises a serious concern. Workforce structures introduced during crisis periods can become permanent if they are not addressed. Over time, that risks locking in reduced frontline capacity as the new normal.
Another key trend is the decline in operational officers relative to population.
Since peaking in 2016–17, WA has seen a general downward trend in officers per capita.
At the same time, the population continues to grow.
More people means more demand. More calls, more incidents, more investigations. When staffing does not keep pace, that pressure lands directly on members.
This is where the numbers become real. It impacts response times, increases overtime and reduces opportunities for proactive policing.
One of the most important insights from the report is the connection between staffing levels and time spent on frontline duties.
The data shows a 56.3% positive correlation between the number of operational officers and the hours available for frontline policing.
In simple terms, fewer officers does not just mean fewer boots on the ground. It also means less time doing the work that matters most.
Members feel this every day. When resources are tight, policing becomes more reactive. Admin increases. Fatigue builds. The job gets harder.
This is not just about resourcing. It is about safety and sustainability.
Policing is already a high-pressure profession. Adequate staffing ensures members have backup when they need it, manageable workloads and time to recover between shifts.
When capacity drops, those safeguards weaken.
Members are attending more jobs, dealing with increasingly complex situations and working longer hours to maintain service standards.
Over time, that takes a toll. Physically and mentally.
Supporting member wellbeing starts with ensuring there are enough people to do the job safely.
The community relies on a strong frontline.
Fewer operational officers can affect visibility, response capability and proactive engagement.
WA Police continues to deliver strong outcomes and maintain community trust. That is a credit to the professionalism of members.
But maintaining that standard requires investment.
Communities expect policing services to grow alongside demand. The data suggests WA risks falling behind unless workforce planning changes course.
This data gives us a clear, evidence-based picture of the challenges facing our members.
It reinforces what many already know from experience. Members are doing more with less.
The WA Police Union will continue to advocate for sustainable staffing levels, better workforce planning and policies that put member wellbeing first.
Because behind every statistic is a police officer turning up, backing their colleagues and doing the job the community depends on.
And they deserve to be properly supported.
