Police union raises alarm over security at WA Police Academy in Joondalup

The State Government is being urged to upgrade security at the Joondalup Police Academy, where officers and recruits have reportedly been subjected to threats and intimidation from members of the public.

Currently, anyone can enter the police academy grounds without undergoing a security check, with public access to the training facility largely unrestricted.

The WA Police Union is calling for a perimeter fence to be installed around the site as part of a planned multimillion-dollar upgrade to the complex.

According to a recent survey of academy staff by the union, almost 75 per cent said they were concerned about the current level of public access to the academy.

One in four surveyed said they had directly experienced and/or seen members of the public threaten or intimidate WA Police officers or recruits while at the academy.

Numerous threats have been reported at the facility over the years, and an academy staff member has warned the site is dangerously insecure.

“The academy must be the most insecure police establishment in Australia, if not the western world,” the staff member told the WAPU.

“We regularly receive broadcasts concerning the elevated threat level and yet anyone can access the grounds and commit an act of extreme violence or terrorism against the officers and staff or the infrastructure.”

A $15.6 million upgrade to the academy is set to begin next month, with 44 accommodation units to be refurbished for regional recruits to stay in during their training in Perth.

WAPU president Simone Taplin said the organisation welcomed the investment in the academy but wanted to see security included in the upgrades.

“It is fantastic to see investment going into the police academy. Our recruits deserve modern facilities and a safe environment in which to train,” Ms Taplin said.

“But if we are investing millions of dollars into upgrading the academy, why wouldn’t we take the opportunity to address the security concerns that have been raised for years?”

She believes there needs to be a balance between accessibility and security, and a perimeter fence would provide an additional layer of protection.

“This is not about keeping the community out. It is about making sure there are sensible security measures in place around a facility where future police officers are trained,” she said.

The Northern Suburbs Weekly asked the Police Minister’s office if security fencing was being considered as part of the academy’s planned upgrades.

A State Government spokesperson said several security safeguards were currently operating at the training base, but they were open to considering further actions if required.

“The WA Police Force Academy was designed as an open-plan training facility, consistent with the neighbouring university and TAFE campuses as part of an open education precinct,” the spokesperson said.

“The academy has a range of security measures in place, including secure building access, duress buttons and CCTV.

“The safety of recruits, staff and visitors is a priority for our government and we will always consider security measures that are appropriate to ensure the safety of the academy.”

The Joondalup WA Police Academy campus opened in February 2002, replacing the police training facilities in Maylands.

Last year, 526 recruits graduated from the WA Police Academy, down from 708 in 2024.