New police forensic facility will help cut crime further
www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
12/12/06
A new $25million police forensic facility (in Midland) - the best of its kind in Australia - was opened today by Police Minister John Kobelke.
The new facility sits alongside the Police Communications Centre and is part of a complex which will include a $21million State Traffic Facility in 2008, and will provide WA Police with a permanent home for its Forensic Division.
“The result is nothing short of impressive, with a forensic facility that boasts specifically designed work areas and laboratories custom made to suit the latest forensic investigative practices,” Mr Kobelke said.
“This facility is considered to be the best of its kind in Australia and there can be no doubt about the difference it will make to WA Police.
“It puts our agency at the cutting edge, in terms of our forensics resources and capabilities.”
The Minister said many areas of modern policing relied on forensic technology and it was an important resource to assist police in doing their job.
“The investment in this facility will translate into an increase in clearance rates for many crimes,” he said.
“WA Police have been producing some fantastic results over the past couple of years and the State Government has publicly acknowledged this on many occasions.
“Crime rates in this State are now at the lowest level for a decade.”
Mr Kobelke said the State Government was committed to providing police officers with the resources and tools they needed to get the job done.
The State Government had dedicated $122million to the WA Police for capital works, technology and equipment over 2006-07.
As part of this program, almost $70million would be spent on the design and construction of 21 new metropolitan and regional police stations and facilities over the course of this year and next.