Cops bullied by CCC may quit: union

Police officers are considering leaving the profession because of "interrogations" and "bullying" by the Corruption and Crime Commission, Police Union president George Tilbury has warned.

In an opinion article published today, Mr Tilbury elaborated on criticism he launched at a parliamentary committee hearing last week regarding the watchdog's alleged treatment of officers, accusing it of using WA Police as a "scapegoat to justify its existence" and suggesting its tactics could result in some members leaving the police force.

"Recent interrogations by the CCC have left my members with thoughts about leaving WA Police because the CCC's bullying tactics have made them feel inadequate and humiliated," Mr Tilbury said. "Police officers, like the rest of the community, have rights too and these rights should not be impeded upon in order to bypass the proper processes for investigations."

But the CCC hit back immediately at the comments yesterday, saying bullying allegations were brought to its attention only in recent days and labelling Mr Tilbury's claims last week that officers feared coming forward with their complaints in case of "reprisals" as "absurd".

CCC executive director Mike Silverstone said the commission generally recorded interviews with police and specific complaints could be examined easily.

He also challenged suggestions the CCC's actions could spark a loss of officers.

"The commission believes that the only police officers likely to be currently considering their future are those who had supervisory responsibilities at the Broome police station and who are now reportedly subject to the WA Police Commissioner's loss of confidence proceedings," Mr Silverstone said.

Mr Tilbury last week told a parliamentary hearing that officers were being forced to take stress leave and reduced to tears during CCC investigations he claimed were unfairly targeting police.