WA Police’s Operation Regional Shield which enables additional officers to be quickly deployed to any regional area, has been extended with a further $11.7 million allocated in the State Budget.
The police strike team is made up of specialist officers from the Regional Operations Group and Regional Investigations Unit, with additional support from the Police Air Wing, Canine Section and State Intelligence Portfolio.
Staff are deployed predominantly on two-or-three-week rotations and can be placed anywhere within WA based on operational need.
Minister for Police, Paul Papalia said Operation Regional Shield allowed for the fast deployment of a police strike team to regional WA when and where it was needed.
“This targeted crackdown on youth crime is having real results apprehending offenders, bringing them to justice and helping to keep the community safe,” Mr Papalia said.
“This funding boost will see regional WA continue to benefit from additional police resources.”
Operation Regional Shield began in February last year after officials and community leaders held a series of crisis meetings to address youth crime.
At the time, a briefing note leaked ahead of a meeting in January 2022 revealed that juvenile offending across the region was up 54 per cent on the previous two-year average.
The task force has seen officers from major cities deployed to regional towns in a bid to bolster police engagement with the community.
