Yanchep police station’s $3 million makeover is finished.
Camera IconYanchep police station’s $3 million makeover is finished. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Officer numbers to increase following official opening of Yanchep police station expansion

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

STAFF numbers at Yanchep police station will increase by 50 per cent in July as part of the WA Police metropolitan restructure.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts visited Yanchep to officially open the police station’s $3 million expansion and announce extra staff numbers on Tuesday morning.

“It looks great; it’s a much better working environment for our officers,” she said.

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“It gives us the space we need to increase the number of officers here immediately.”

Yanchep Sergeant Chris Wride, Police Minister Michelle Roberts, Butler MLA John Quigley, Senior Sergeant Ben Huggett, Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts and Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Steel tour the Yanchep police station expansion.
Camera IconYanchep Sergeant Chris Wride, Police Minister Michelle Roberts, Butler MLA John Quigley, Senior Sergeant Ben Huggett, Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts and Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Steel tour the Yanchep police station expansion. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Sergeant Chris Wride said officer numbers would increase as part of the WA Police restructure from July 16, with officers from response teams relocating to suburban stations.

“The bonus of this new restructure is we get new police officers,” he said.

Sgt Wride said the extra staff would include a Senior Sergeant Ben Huggett and another sergeant, as well as extra constables, bringing the total number of staff based at the station to 15.

He said the increase would mean local officers would patrol the sub-district for longer, including late night shifts to at least 2am.

“This is a big increase to actually have local cars on the road out of Yanchep late at night and in the early hours of the morning,” the minister said.

WA Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Steel said the expanded station was “fit for purpose” to meet the demands of population growth in the area.

“Having a station that’s fit for growth in such an expanding area shows some foresight,” he said.

Yanchep Sergeant Chris Wride with current staff.
Camera IconYanchep Sergeant Chris Wride with current staff. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Sgt Huggett, who had his first look at the station expansion during the official opening, said it was an impressive building and he could see the current officers enjoyed working out of the new facilities.

“It’s a great modern facility – it’s a big change from 20 years ago when I first joined the police,” he said.

Butler MLA John Quigley said said Yanchep had “a real police station at last” reflecting back on the station that used to be based in a shop in Two Rocks.

Construction delays meant the project, originally due for completion in late 2017, finished about six months later than expected.

The completed works include an operations room, secure detainee entry and holding room, recorded interview room, new CCTV system, upgraded charge room, more office space, gymnasium and secure station car park.

In response to questions at Monday’s Two Rocks Yanchep Residents Association meeting, Sgt Wride said local police teams would no longer exist following the restructure, and the mobile numbers for those teams would no longer work.

While the station will ultimately accommodate up to 40 staff, the minister said future increases would be determined by the Police Commissioner based on demand.

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