Small-time WA crims could get 2nd chance
Signing up petty criminals to good behaviour contracts rather than prosecuting them will save valuable court time and put more pressure on them to stay clean, Western Australia's Police Commissioner says.
Karl O'Callaghan floated the concept at a health conference in Perth this week, saying it would be modelled on the British program Turning Point.
It would apply to minor crimes such as damage and graffiti with culprits having to attend counselling and rehabilitation after promising not to re-offend as well as apologising to victims or offering restitution.
Mr O'Callaghan said a limited trial could start as early as next year.
He said the plan would lead to fewer petty crimes going through the costly court process and put the offenders' behaviour under a greater spotlight than if they appeared briefly before a magistrate.
They would be issued with a stay of prosecution notice and would wind up in court if they re-offended during a specified period.
"Each case would be judged on its merits," Mr O'Callaghan told ABC radio on Wednesday.
"It's definitely not a caution - there are consequences and they have to obey.
"If you go to court for a damage offence and you get a $500 fine, the whole thing once you get to court, whenever that is, is over in 15 minutes or less. This actually keeps them on track for months and months while their behaviour is supervised."
He agreed with WA Police Union president George Tilbury, who said the devil was in the detail.
Mr Tilbury said he was always open to a trial but could not back the idea - which had the potential to send a message that the police were soft on crime - until he had more information, particularly the results of the UK program.
"We need to see what's involved," Mr Tilbury told Fairfax radio.
"This will effectively change the way we police in Western Australia if it goes through."
Opposition leader Mark McGowan praised the idea, saying police should focus on prosecuting offences that caused real community harm.
He suggested Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley was a good place to start.
