Budget pressure signals cash fight for new top WA cop Chris Dawson

Western Australia’s next police commissioner, Chris Dawson, inherits a force under severe budget pressure.

Chris Dawson will take over as WA Police Commissioner. Picture: Colin Murty

Western Australia’s next police commissioner, Chris Dawson, inherits a force under severe budget pressure as the McGowan government seeks to slash spending.

Mr Dawson, chief executive of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Agency for the past three years, was chosen by WA Police Minister Michelle Roberts from a shortlist of four. He takes over on August 16 from the outspoken Karl O’Callaghan, who is retiring after 13 years in the job. Mr O’Callaghan was forthright in his views on the failings of other government agencies during his tenure and his observations about the plight of Aboriginal children in some remote communities made him unpopular with some leaders.

In 2007 he backed Aboriginal women leaders of the Kimberley town of Fitzroy Crossing to ban the sale of full-strength takeaway alcohol. The ban was then controversially rolled out to nearby Halls Creek. Later a study of children in the region found the world’s highest rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; permanent brain damage caused to an unborn baby when a mother drinks.

This week Mr O’Callaghan’s candour has only increased. In comments supportive of the federal government’s cashless welfare card, he told The West Australian newspaper that his officers had uncovered evidence of welfare cash being spent on sexual favours as well as drugs and alcohol during an investigation into child sex abuse in the Pilbara town of Roebourne and surrounding Aboriginal communities.

Mr Dawson yesterday said he would expand on his vision for the WA police after he leaves his current job.

“The public should rightfully expect that our police are honest, that they respond promptly to trauma and treat everyone with respect and professionalism,” he said.

“We must be relentless in protecting the vulnerable and we must exercise our powers with fairness.

“We live in a rapidly changing world. Keeping Western Australia safe means our police officers must have the right capabilities to do their job.

“Police alone cannot prevent all crime and harm, so jointly building and maintaining trust with the community and alliances with our partner agencies will be central to my approach as commissioner of police.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan said WA Police, which has a budget of $1.3 billion and 8000 staff, would not be immune from sweeping budget cuts.