WA Police officer bitten in chaotic confrontation

“But we shouldn’t expect to be assaulted every time we go out to enforce the law,” he said.

Six years ago, 941 police officers were assaulted on the job. In 2021-22, more than 1200 were attacked.

Last financial year, that number grew by almost 300, marking the highest rate of assaults in 15 years, and a 60 per cent increase since 2015.

The union is locked in a wage dispute with the state government, with its members demanding to be properly recognised.

But its first request of an 8.5 per cent pay rise for the first year has been knocked back.

WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the government had increased the number of police and, in relation to workers’ compensation, there had been “a number of different elements where we’ve assisted police over time”.

But the union has not ruled out further industrial action as negotiations continue.

9News Perth