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Libs to boost youth police

Headshot of Jackson Barrett
Jackson BarrettBusselton Dunsborough Times
Vasse MLA Libby Mettam with youth development officer Angela Griffin and her son Nate Willis, 11.
Camera IconVasse MLA Libby Mettam with youth development officer Angela Griffin and her son Nate Willis, 11. Credit: Catherine Massey

The Capes region would see two new dedicated Youth Police Officers under a Liberal-led State Government, according to Vasse MLP Libby Mettam.

Under the existing system, there are four Youth Police Officers assigned to the entire South West region.

All four are based in Bunbury and service the region from Bunbury, out to Collie and down as far as Augusta.

Two new officers would bring the total to six, with the new officers to be based in Busselton, servicing the region between Busselton and Augusta.

In announcing the commitment, Ms Mettam said the commitment would be a boost for policing in the South West.

“This commitment means Busselton will no longer have to share the four Youth Police Officers based in Bunbury,” she said.

“Having two additional YPOs based here will make a major difference to Busselton and the Capes region.

Ms Mettam said being based in Busselton would allow the YPOs to make more meaningful connections with the young people they deal with regularly.

“The YPOs are fantastic at engaging with our youth and make a significant impact,” she said.

“Unfortunately, with just four based in Bunbury to undertake specific wide-ranging duties across the whole of the South West district, visits to Busselton are limited.

“Busselton is now the largest local government area outside of Perth and I have been appealing to the McGowan Government since 2018 to provide additional support to our vulnerable youth.”

The Liberals also made further commitments to boosting the Child Abuse Squad, Online Child Exploitation Squad and launching a trial into a new in-school police program in at risk schools across the State.

Last month, the opposition also committed to allocating another 1200 officers to the WA Police Force, with 300 for regional areas.

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