More officers and a nurse at Perth lock-up

PERTH'S new lock-up could have a nurse on duty at all times and an additional 20 officers within months, a public hearing has heard.

The West Australian Police Union has requested 50 additional auxiliary officers at the Perth Watch House.

But the state's police commissioner, Karl O'Callaghan, told a parliamentary committee looking into custodial arrangements at police lock-ups that 20 officers were more likely.

The commissioner told the inquiry it would cost an estimated $700,000 a year to employ a nurse 24/7 at the Perth lock-up.

He said there was no need for a doctor - as requested by the union - because in serious cases, detainees would still be taken to a hospital.

Mr O'Callaghan said it was probable that 80 per cent of people in lock-up were either drunk or had taken drugs.

But there was no need to test detainees because police were more concerned about those who were visibly drunk and behaving badly, he said.

The commissioner also defended single-officer custodial duties in rural areas.

Union Vice President Brandon Shortland told reporters it was inappropriate to have one officer in charge of prisoners, even with the officer in charge living close by.

"There needs to be at least two police looking after a prisoner," he said.

Mr O'Callaghan said there were 171 police sites in WA and many were small with few prisoners.

The number of people having to be conveyed to bigger facilities was low and it was not cost effective to refurbish some condemned cells when it was easier to transport detainees elsewhere, he said.

Mr O'Callaghan conceded there was a lot of pressure on police infrastructure and it was an unfortunate reality that many buildings would be worn down further before being refurbished.

He said priorities included replacing the Fremantle station, which would be a big investment.

The commissioner also said a new court at the Perth police centre was being under-utilised, which was a waste of resources.

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