Police stations almost full

The South West has only eight police vacancies out of 260 positions across the district.

Former South West District Supt Lawrence Panaia said the number of vacancies in a district fluctuated during the year.

Supt Panaia said it was harder to fill positions in the middle of the year because police officers would be less willing to uproot their family during the school year.

Having two vacancies at Bunbury would be relatively normal.

“I’ve got no issues with one or two vacancies — higher numbers are a concern but I don’t think we have any problems,” Supt Panaia said.