Police Commissioner Col Blanch concerned as assaults on officers reaches an ‘alarming’ two decade high

WA’s top cop says assaults on police officers are climbing to “alarming levels”, with the number of attacks reaching a record high last year. Crime data reveals there were 1556 assaults recorded in 2024 — more than four a day — which was the most since records began. Police Commissioner Col Blanch said he was particularly worried as this year is on track to rise to the same alarming levels. Mr Blanch also said he was concerned because the assault rates were rising on a per capita basis as well. “The rate of assaults against police officers in Western Australia has disappointingly begun to climb back up towards the alarming levels seen in 2006 and again in 2009 where assaults against police hit a record rate of 59 per 100,000 people,” he said. “It is disappointing that assaults against my officers are growing closer to those historic highs reached back in 2006 and 2009, with the rate now sitting at 52 per 100,000 people.” Mr Blanch emphasised that police “put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community” and it was never acceptable to harm an officer. “My stance as commissioner is that any assault against my officers is extremely disappointing and I will always explore options and advocate for ways to make the job safer and better for the blue family,” he said. It follows the assault of a police officer outside Optus Stadium by a juvenile, who was later given no punishment, with an appeal abandoned by the Director of Public Prosecutions. That decision prompted outrage from police officials and officers, with Mr Blanch making clear his anger at the outcome. “The court has a responsibility. (for) general deterrence, and that means (sending a message) to the rest of the community that there are consequences for your actions,” he said in March. “In my view, I don’t see that general deterrence from this outcome in that kids think that they can assault public officers.” Shadow police minister Adam Hort said the assault rate against officers had increased by nearly 60 per cent since Labor came to power in 2017. “These alarming new statistics further demonstrate the increasing level of risk our brave men and women in blue face every day in their service to our community,” he said. “The dangers of the job were highlighted recently by the assault on a motorcycle police officer at Optus Stadium, and the lack of punishment issued by the courts to the offender. “The Cook Labor Government has done nothing to rectify this outcome.” “Our police provide protection and safety to Western Australians and in turn expect to be supported by the Cook Government.” Mr Hort also questioned where the Government’s improved support for police suffering from PTSD was, after it was promised in 2023. “Still we see no action,” he said. “He promised to expand post-traumatic stress disorder presumption to police – something that already exists for many emergency services personnel. “Without this, our police need to prove that it was their service that contributed to any PTSD diagnosis support, rather than the presumption that their increasingly violent roles may be the cause.” The Premier said the Government appreciated the difficult work frontline officers undertook. “They work in very difficult circumstances. Sometimes those difficult circumstances lead to trauma, and it is important that we support them as they manage and recover from those from that trauma,” Mr Cook said. The WA Police Union was contacted for comment.