WA Police backflip on decision to take Broome’s only police dog away

WA Police have backflipped on their decision to send a ‘highly valued’ member of Broome Police to Perth after outcry from the community. Broome Police Dog Hank and his handler Senior Constable Ben Cartmill have been patrolling the streets of Broome since 2019, and had both become valuable members of the team when news broke earlier this week that Hank may be sent to Perth. With no word on a replacement pooch, the Broome community took to Facebook to vent their frustration, with many questioning why an integral part of rapid response was being taken away from the town despite rampant crime. The move would have seen police dogs only flown up for special operations, as is already the norm throughout the Pilbara. Hank was tipped to be the first of many regional dogs to go FIFO — with the Broome Advertiser understanding Bunbury was next in-line to lose their paw patrol. However today, a WA Police Force spokesperson confirmed Hank would remain posted to the Kimberley. “At this time, Broome Police Dog Hank will remain posted to the Kimberley subject to meeting normal training requirements, performance reviews and deployment criteria,” the spokesperson said. “Operational deployment of Police Dog teams state-wide are regularly reviewed.” Prior to the decision to keep Hank in the Kimberley, Broome resident Alex Crawford took to Facebook, posting a poll in the local noticeboard, which received over 700 votes in support of Hank remaining compared to just four votes against. Ms Crawford said there was a resounding view within the community that Hank should stay. “Hank is already acclimatised to the humidity, he’s already bonded with his handler, and everyone knows him within the community,” she said. “He’s been doing such a great job and is an integral part of the positive policing up here.” Broome resident Shirley Russell said Hank does more than just catch criminals, he gives a sense of safety. “I know a little girl who can sleep soundly at night when she’s told ‘it’s alright Hank’s on the job’,” she said. “We were told of extra police resourcing, so it’s not right to take away the most valuable resource when he’s doing such an amazing job. “Everyone knows the crime is bad up here, we need more police dogs not less.”