Latest news with #WAPolice
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- Perth Now
Mum's heartbreaking plea as son missing in Perth Hills
A heartbroken mother has made a desperate plea to help find her adult son who is believed to have ventured into the Perth Hills four weeks ago. Darren Garwood, 38, was last known to have left a home in Sawyers Valley on the morning of Sunday May 25. He was driving a white Ford Ranger utility with registration SW18692 when it is believed he travelled deep into bushland south of Great Eastern Highway. Police are concerned Mr Garwood wasn't carrying enough resources when he is believed to have travelled into the forest areas around Mundaring — a landscape south of the highway which continues east through to York and south towards Beverley. Mr Garwood was travelling in a 2023 white Ford Ranger ute. Credit: WA Police / WA Police 'Not knowing where he is, it is extremely, incredibly hard for us,' she said. 'As his mother, and also his father and the rest of our family, I'm pleading if anyone has any information, whether from before his disappearance or at any point over the past four weeks, we would be so deeply grateful for your help.' 'His last known location was somewhere in the Mundaring area, possibly within the national parks anywhere between Mundaring and York.' His family urge anyone who travels in the locations — which is frequented by four-wheel drivers, campers and dirt bike riders — to keep an eye out for either either Mr Garwood or his vehicle. Sergeant Tania Mackenzie, officer-in-charge of Mundaring Police Station, said aerial searches and officers driving around tracks in the area had failed to locate the missing man. 'So at this stage, Darren, since the 25th of May, has not accessed any bank accounts, has not used his mobile phone or any mobile phone that we are aware of,' she said. 'It is unusual, we know Darren spoke to family on the Saturday night, late on the night, and is normally in contact with family and friends, so it is unusual, and hence our concerns for his welfare.' The area where Mr Garwood went missing: If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Sgt Mackenzie said police were not treating his disappearance as suspicious. 'All we can ask is that people look out for his car — that's our best chance, (for) someone to see his white Ford Ranger in that bush land, and just to be cognisant of the fact that he's probably gone deeper into the bush land, rather than just on tracks. 'All the tracks have been covered, and he's not been located at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
WA Police disciplines officer filmed pushing man to ground in Broome
Western Australia Police has disciplined an officer who pushed a man to the ground in Broome earlier this year but will not release details of what action has been taken. The WA Police Internal Affairs Division began investigating the matter in February when a video emerged on social media. It showed part of an altercation between a Broome police officer and a man filmed at Male Oval in Broome's town centre. The oval is a hub for people sleeping rough in the Kimberley town, 2,000 kilometres north of Perth, and is regularly patrolled by police. In the video, which starts with the pair standing next to a police van, the officer pushes the man to the ground before getting into his police car and driving away. At the time, Kimberley Police Superintendent John Hutchison said the video was "disappointing" given the work of his officers to build community relationships. WA Police said the officer was placed on administrative duties while the Internal Affairs Division investigated. That investigation concluded in March, with an "internal disciplinary process" taking place since then, which was finalised today. "The Western Australia Police Force expects the highest standards of behaviour by our officers," a police spokesperson said. "Any breaches of our code of conduct are treated seriously and thoroughly investigated, with real-time oversight by the Corruption and Crime Commission. "The officer involved in this incident has been stood aside from operational duties since the incident occurred. "Disciplinary proceedings have now concluded and suitable disciplinary action has been taken in relation to this matter. "The officer will soon return to full duty but remains subject to that disciplinary action." In response to further questions from ABC, police did not outline details of the disciplinary action or what considerations were made.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
The Truth About Amy: Ex-cop accuses WA Police of ‘confirmation bias' over suspected murder
An ex-cop has accused WA Police of 'confirmation bias' in the suspected murder of Amy Wensley more than a decade ago. The Truth About Amy podcast revealed in the final episode of its second season that key witnesses — including Gareth Price who was at the Serpentine property when Amy died — still hadn't been properly interrogated. Former detective and private investigator Duncan McNab, pictured, said confirmation bias often meant crimes weren't properly investigated. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 'The moment you have confirmation bias in your investigation, it means that you're going to stuff it up,' he told hosts Liam Bartlett and Alison Sandy. 'It also means that someone innocent might get convicted or railroaded towards a conviction … (or) that the victims of the crime aren't properly served by the investigators. '(An) investigation is a jigsaw puzzle . . . you throw all the pieces of the jigsaw on the table and work systematically until you get a result.' Ms Wensley, 24, was found dead behind her bedroom door in her home in 2014 with a fatal gunshot wound to her head. Ducan McNab. Credit: Supplied Her important belongings were in a car, along with her two daughters — an apparent sign she was about to leave her partner, David Simmons, pictured above with Amy. Despite police initially treating the death as suspicious, detectives later deemed it a suicide and cleaned the bedroom, destroying with it any forensic evidence. Ms Wensley's mother Nancy Kirk — who rejects the idea she took her own life — said she phoned her daughter and listened to her as she hysterically sobbed on the day she died. Ms Wensley claimed Mr Simmons had 'grabbed me by the throat and thrown me on the ground' during an argument, just moments before the fatal shot was fired. Mr Simmons has vehemently denied any suggestions that he was holding the gun when it went off. A coronial inquest in 2021 was unable to determine how Ms Wensley died. 'I have considered all of the available evidence . . . and I have concluded that there is not enough evidence for me to make a formal finding as to how Amy died,' Deputy coroner Sarah Linton said at the time. 'The Truth About Amy' is a major podcast produced by Seven West Media, investigating the death of WA mother Amy Wensley in 2014. Credit: Supplied / Supplied Mr McNab called on Police Commissioner Col Blanch to 'do the right thing' and properly investigate Amy's case. 'Here's a chance for you to get in front of something,' he said. 'Here's a chance for you to be seen as someone doing the right thing. 'Yes, a couple of rank and file might squawk loudly about it, but you're a leader – lead.' The Truth About Amy earlier this season revealed that former Detective Senior Constable Ann Lehane — the officer first in charge of the coronial investigation — was told to treat Amy's case as 'non-suspicious'. When she didn't, she was reprimanded. 'Coppers around the country — and I think internationally for that matter — seldom say, 'oops, we've got it wrong,'' Mr McNab said. 'They have been forced into that position and they're always unwilling. 'Instead of saying, 'No, no, no, forget the past', maybe it's time to deal with the past and get these crimes fixed.' A spokesperson for Premier Roger Cook said there was a $1 million reward for anyone with information that could help solve Amy's case. 'The Premier strongly encourages anyone who knows anything to come forward, so Amy's family receive answers but also justice,' the spokesperson said. WA Police were contacted for comment. While Season Two of The Truth About Amy is now complete, the hit podcast will soon be released as a vodcast on YouTube and will continue with bonus episodes as new information of the case comes to light.
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Retailers are copping assault almost daily despite new laws to deter violence against staff
Police have charged a person almost once a day with assaulting a retail worker since new laws were introduced last year, sparking calls for a dedicated unit for addressing the crime. Data revealed under Parliamentary questioning showed since new penalties came into effect on July 1 that police have charged 329 West Australians with assaulting a shop worker — nearly one per day. Under the laws, shoppers who assault staff face up to seven years in jail, while fines were doubled to as high as $36,000 after the workers were singled out for stronger protection under a new provision in the Criminal Code. As well as hitting, throwing objects and spitting at a worker are covered by the tougher laws. Australian Retailers Association chief executive Chris Rodwell said the increased penalties would help in the battle against retail crime but called for dedicated officers to focus on the industry, like what occurs in South Australia. 'While there is an uplift in the number of reported incidents, some of this is attributable to better outcomes in apprehending and penalising offenders,' he said. 'Despite the improvements, retail crime is still a significant issue, with considerable economic and social cost. 'In the past year, crime reporting suggested incidents of retail crime have risen to 800,000 nationally, with almost one in 10 retail crime events being violent. It comes at a cost of around $9 billion annually. Retailers and their workers deserve better. 'The retail sector would also strongly support a dedicated retail crime unit within WA Police to help strengthen the impact of the existing penalties and help drive faster reductions in incident rates.' SDA WA secretary Ben Harris said the scale of the people charged was a sad reason the laws were necessary, with workers previously reporting rates of violence and abuse had climbed since the pandemic. A 2023 survey by the union of its members revealed 87 per cent said they had experienced abuse from customers in the past 12 months. Reports of physical violence rose by 56 per cent when compared with the results of a 2021 survey. 'That sort of bad behaviour and rudeness from customers has moved into this abusive and violence kind of space, which is causing significant harm to our members,' Mr Harris said. 'It's good to see that they these laws are being utilised, and people are putting in complaints, and the police are taking seriously these matters, and that the people being charged. 'As the judiciary deals with these matters, the consequences of this behaviour and the the approach taken by our courts will actually be the next step in sending that message. 'We constantly encourage our members to not let anything go and don't do not accept this behaviour. Don't accept that this is just part of being in retail.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Confronting crash pics shared in bid to find good Samaritans
Police are searching for good Samaritans who attended the scene of a serious crash near Perth Airport. Officers from the major crash investigation section allege Raymond Charles Ugle, 42, was behind the wheel of a Ford Falcon when it collided with a white Mercedes-Benz truck about 12.45pm on May 22. The impact caused the truck's trailer to collide with a Hyundai hatchback at the corner of Grogan Road and Kingsford Smith Avenue. The 46-year-old female driver of the Hyundai was trapped when her car became wedged underneath the trailer. She was seriously injured and cut free from the wreckage by firefighters. In a bid to track down witnesses who assisted in the direct aftermath of the crash, police released three shocking photos of the 'horrific' scene on Wednesday. Crime stoppers can be reached on 1800 333 000 or online. Credit: WA Police / WA Police Police urge the good Samaritans to contact crime stoppers to help with the ongoing investigation. The 37-year-old male driver of the truck was not hurt and Mr Ugle was transported to hospital with minor injuries before facing Perth Magistrates Court on May 23. He has been charged with dangerous driving in circumstances occasioning grievous bodily harm and a no authority to drive offence. Mr Ugle will front court again on Friday after being remanded in custody. Dash-cam of the incident can be uploaded directly to police here. Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section are urging witnesses and anyone who attended the scene of a serious crash near Perth Airport. Credit: WA Police / WA Police
