Cook Government announces $13.7 million in funding to help police track domestic violence thugs

Thugs who commit family and domestic violence offences will be under even closer watch by police after the State Government committed an extra $13.7 million to tracking offenders on bail.

The funding announced on Wednesday comes a month before new laws come into force that will make it mandatory for courts to impose GPS monitoring on serial perpetrators.

Twenty-six new staff will be dedicated to tracking those perpetrators at the Police State Operations Command Centre as part of the response.

“What we’re doing is confirming that police have been given the resources to track these repeat offenders and keep them compliant,” Police Minister Paul Papalia said.

When offenders remove an ankle monitor or breach restricted movements an alert is immediately sent to the SOCC, a data hub for police that receives live footage from hundreds of CCTV and body-worn cameras.

“Our network of police officers working 24/7 across the State are immediately informed of where the breach has occurred, vehicles are tasked, using a number of technology capabilities to try and pinpoint where someone might be,” WA Police Deputy Commissioner Allan Adams said.

The new laws will also increase the maximum penalties for removing monitoring equipment, with offenders facing up to three years in prison or $36,000 in fines.

The Government revealed it would introduce laws to compel courts to order domestic violence offenders to wear ankle bracelets following a campaign by The West Australian that called for more dangerous criminals to be tracked.

An investigation revealed that at the time, there were just 262 individuals in the whole of WA fitted with a GPS monitor.

The funding announcement coincides with WA’s 16 Days against gender-based violence campaign.

On Monday, hundreds of people marched through the city calling for more action to protect women.

“The light has been shone brightly on family and domestic violence. It’s come out of the shadows,” Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton said.

“As we have more awareness and more conversations women are coming forward.”

Questions still surround the proposed criminalisation of coercive control, something Ms Winton said the Government was committed to.

“We need to make sure we get it right. The way we get it right is listening to the experts,” she said.

“We need a phased approach which starts with educating the community.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.