WA Police resignations: New data on cops quitting show experienced, senior officers leaving in droves

More than half of the nearly 300 cops who quit the force in the past year were senior officers and those considered “mentors” to junior cops, alarming new figures reveal. It comes as officers on the ground reveal their biggest concerns in the job at the moment range from their own mental health and wellbeing to claims that there is still somewhat of a “boys’ club” mentality in some quarters of the force. “I rock up to work and have a pit in my stomach,” one experienced officer confessed. On Monday The West Australian revealed 64 officers had handed in their badges in the month of June, which is almost twice the normal monthly rate. On top of the 64 officers that resigned in June, another five police auxiliary officers and three recruits called it quits. The monthly average resignation rate for sworn officers is 33. In the past six months it has risen to about 44. The level of resignations has prompted WA Police to consider whether it now needs to embark on an overseas hiring drive. The sheer scale and seriousness of the current resignation rate is compounded further in new data tabled in State Parliament during a recent Budget estimates hearing, which shows the extensive experience of the officers are who are leaving. The data shows that of the 296 officers who quit between July last year and May this year, 125 held the rank of senior constable. A senior constable typically leads smaller teams within a police station and perform a supervisory or mentoring role. Only those who have served at least nine years in the job can apply to become a senior constable. The data tabled during Budget estimates also shows 24 sergeants — who generally look after regional or small metropolitan stations — called it quits over the 12-month period. Seven senior sergeants were also among those to resign over the relevant period. Two inspectors also told their bosses they were quitting. Officers who spoke anonymously to The West Australian claimed there was a burn and churn culture in the force at present. “There is an attitude that we are expendable and if we burn out or quit they’ll just replace us,” one experienced officer said, adding: “There is also a boys’ club mentality and some spots are near impossible to get into unless your mates are there.” Another officer said management styles in some sectors of the force were grossly outdated. “The job is still full of arbitrary management and needs to become more contemporary,” the officer said. WA Police declined an opportunity from The West Australian to respond to the officer’s comments but WA Police Union president Mick Kelly said the culture and management style within the agency was a concern. He pointed out that a recent survey of officers who had quit this year found 77 per cent listed dissatisfaction with WA Police Force management and culture as a reason for them resigning. “They haven’t left the agency for high-paying resources jobs in the mines, they have left because of the culture of the senior executive who are not caring,” Mr Kelly said. “It is quite disturbing.” Opposition police spokesman Peter Collier said there was “serious cause for concern” so many experienced officers had quit in the past year. “There are evidently some cultural issues within WA Police which has contributed to this spike in resignations,” Mr Collier said. “What is particularly concerning is the large number of senior officers leaving. These officers are experienced members of the force so we are losing all of their intellectual capacity.” But Acting Premier Roger Cook said on Monday he was “not alarmed” by the big surge in police resignations. “I’m not alarmed in relation to these statistics but we do obviously require the leadership of the police force to make sure that we have the police available and ready to look after the community,” he said.