The head of Western Australia's police force says officers are using discretion when applying stringent new coronavirus rules, because"you can't keep people in homes non-stop".WA has recorded another three coronavirus cases overnightHis comments came as WA recorded another three cases of COVID-19 — the sixth day in row that new cases have numbered in the single digits – taking the state's total number to 535.
Police Commissioner and State Emergency Coordinator Chris Dawson said he wanted to once again thank the community for cooperating with the new laws. "Unless they agree and consent to what is going on, then my force of 9,000 people will not be able to control 2.5 million people if they just want to do their own thing," he told 6PR Radio in Perth.
"So, it's very important we don't over-enforce, and a good example would be, for instance, with the beaches, we had a hot weekend and I made it clear and the officers carried out their jobs very professionally. "We didn't slap infringement notices and close beaches unnecessarily, we allowed the community to go about, I think, a really healthy exercise and recreate, because you can't keep people in homes non-stop."
Sounds a very sensible approach that police on the east coast could do well to imitate.
'You can't keep people in homes non-stop': WA Police Gladys is tone deft
Exercise is a must