Behind-the-scenes look at the role of a WA Police auxiliary officer, the unsung heroes of regional policing

Auxiliary officers are the behind-the-scenes heroes of a police station. These are the officers who meet police vehicles when they return to the station after making an arrest, and take the arrested person into police custody. A day on the job can range from processing charges and scanning fingerprints to taking care of people in police custody before their first court appearance. Juan-Pierre Jordan has been in the role in Albany for two years, and said the role, while not high profile, was no less rewarding. “You’re filling many different roles, especially at a big regional station like this,” he said. “You’re answering the phones, helping with front counter issues when people show up with whatever problem they might have, you’re looking after the care of somebody in custody.” Custodial care makes up most of an auxiliary officer’s job. PAO Jordan said this part of the job includes assessing whether a person is fit to be kept in custody, whether they need further care or medication or to be taken to hospital, and keeping on top of people’s well being while they are in custody. “Police will go out, they’ll arrest somebody, they’ll bring them back, and the first interaction I have is when they come in the vehicle,” he said. “I introduce myself, and get them comfortable in the custody environment, or as comfortable as you can get after being arrested. “My primary focus is to look after people’s health and wellbeing while in custody, so they can go to court or whilst they are here for a short period of time, be safe and be released again. “That can be the challenge as well as the reward (as) an arrest is often a heightened situation and a lot of people who come in are quite agitated, so part of my job is to be there, make sure they are doing ok, and let them know I’m there to help them, or just be a listening ear if that’s what they need.” The other main part of an auxiliary officer’s role is to liaise with the courts, to make sure the people in custody in Albany are taken through the court system and seen by a magistrate. On weekdays, this means transferring people in custody across to the Albany Magistrates Court, but on the weekends it means organising a video link to connect Albany to the Perth Magistrates Court. “One of the best parts of the job itself is looking after people that are vulnerable,” PAO Jordan said. “Outside of the actual work, this is a fantastic part of the country, so being down here is probably one of the biggest highlights. “When you’re up in Perth as a custody officer, you are at the Perth Watch House, which is all indoors, you’re stuck inside all the time, whereas here you get to go outside, you get to help out with other duties like helping out with warrants. “In Perth, you don’t really have that opportunity in the Watch House because all your time is spent in custodial care. “It’s a different kind of tempo at a regional station, but also just the region in general, it’s a great place to be, as everyone who lives down here already knows.” Albany officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Carlos Correia said the role of an auxiliary officer could also be a great stepping stone for someone looking to enter the police force. “It’s a great opportunity, and we know that there is somebody out there in the community who would love to do this job and who could do it really, really well,” he said. “We’ve got a duty of care to look after everyone who comes through the station, and that’s why it’s important to have people like JP here do their job and do their job well in making sure that they are looked after.” To become an auxiliary officer in regional WA, visit the Let’s Join Forces website.