Policing in Western Australia for primary school students

A short history of the Western Australia Police for secondary school students

The Police School in 1902

A hundred years ago, new police officers had all been to school and knew how to read and write. They had more to learn when they joined the Police Force. These young men were all learning how to become constables. Within a few months they were taught how to ride horses well, how the laws worked, how to box and wrestle and how to march in step - a bit like soldiers.

The two police officers in the photo opposite were their teachers. They were Constable William Douglas (on the left) and Sergeant Ernest Huxtable (on the right).

Police camels in the outback

This photo was supplied by a Historical Society at Kalgoorlie. Back in the 1890s, the police worked out that camels would be very useful transport when they were working in the WA deserts. That is because camels can store water in their bodies for long periods. They were used for many years by the police until being replaced by motor cars. Today it is believed there are quite a few wild camels in the outback. Possibly their ancestors were police camels.

The Police Camp at Coolgardie

A man called Paddy Hannan found gold in the area around Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie over 100 years ago. A big gold rush started. A lot of police had to be sent there to keep law and order.

They lived in very rough conditions. It took many years for nice police stations and houses to be built. The police had to work and live in tents and old shacks. Many police officers on the Goldfields also became very ill because of bad water and food and quite a few died. 

Traffic duty in Perth

Years ago, there were no traffic lights in Perth. In some streets there was a lot of traffic - motor cars, trams and horse carriages as well. To prevent accidents and keep vehicles and people moving, some constables were placed on 'point duty' to give directions and keep things moving.

The police pointsman in the centre of the picture below is wearing a white helmet for protection from the sun.

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