People with Disability

The WA Police Force is committed to ensuring people with disability, their families and carers are able to fully access departmental services and facilities. This includes consulting people with disability, their families and carers, and where required, disability organisations, to ensure barriers to access are addressed appropriately.

We aim to:

  • Be responsive and adaptable in addressing the barriers experienced by people with disability including physical, sensory, cognitive and psychiatric disabilities.
  • Be responsive to addressing the barriers experienced by the families and carers of people with disability.
  • Encourage all policies and practices governing departmental facilities and services to be consistent with the WA Police Force policy on access and inclusion.

WA Police Force Access and Inclusion Plan 2023–2025

It is the policy of the WA Police Force to provide professional and appropriate services for people with disability, their families and carers, to ensure they are able to access the services, information, public events and facilities provided by the agency.

This policy underpins the WA Police Force Access and Inclusion Plan 2023–2025 and is applicable to every police officer, employee, contractor and agent of the WA Police Force.

View the WA Police Force Access and Inclusion Plan 2023–2025.

If you require a copy of the Plan in an alternative format please request one by contacting Substantive Equality.

Community engagement

The WA Police Force engages on a regular basis with community groups that provide services to people with disability. The purpose of this is to develop and maintain relationships between police and these groups as well as inform and advise one another on issues related to policing and justice that impact upon people with disability.

Fear of reporting a crime

The WA Police Force acknowledges that there are issues that may prevent people with disability engaging with police. These include:

  • Fear of their disability being used against them
  • Fear of retribution
  • Fear of not being believed
  • Fear of going to court and being cross examined
  • Lack of confidence in the justice system

This has resulted in a significant reluctance by people with disability to report crimes perpetrated against them.

If you are a victim of abuse and do not wish to speak directly to police, you can call the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline and they will assist and support you with handling your abuse claim.

Freecall: 1800 880 052
TIS: 13 14 50
TTY: 1800 301 130
NRS: 1800 555 677
Fax: 02 8412 7199

Rights and community obligations

As a member of the Western Australian community you have a number of rights and obligations in relation to police. The link below provides you with information regarding:

WA Police Force Customer Service Charter

The WA Police Force aim to provide a quality customer focused service to the WA community and this is guided by our Customer Service Charter.

How to report a crime

The WA Police Force strongly encourages people with disability who are victims of crime to report incidences where the victim believes a criminal offence has been committed against them.

Accessible information

The WA Police Force ensures that information about police functions and services is available in alternative formats upon request.

Contact

WA Police Force Headquarters
2 Adelaide Terrace, Perth 6004
Email Substantive Equality

Language and communication services

If you require an AUSLAN interpreter when talking to police, please ask, and you will be provided with one free of charge.

If you do not speak Auslan, English or your English is limited, again, an interpreter will be provided for you free of charge on request.

You can also contact a Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 or the Access Plus WA Deaf Inc on (08) 9441 2677.

Commendations or complaints

If you feel the WA Police Force should be commended for their treatment of you or feel you have not been treated appropriately, you can tell us via our commendations or complaints page.

Victims of crime and compensation claims

If you are a victim of crime, you are able to receive victim support for yourself and your family if needed. For more information view the links below.