KARRATHA ABORIGINAL FAMILY ALLEGES REPEATED 'UNLAWFUL' POLICE ENTRIES; OFFICERS APOLOGIZE AND PROMISE RECTIFICATION
BY ASAD KHAN AND CASSANDRA ARIUU
A local Aboriginal family has voiced serious concerns regarding the conduct of Karratha police officers, alleging multiple instances of unlawful entry into their property without a search warrant.
According to the family, officers have repeatedly accessed their home without knocking, occasionally opening doors themselves to enter, despite clear indications that the individuals sought do not reside at their address.
Footage provided by the family purportedly shows officers entering the premises multiple times, disregarding the family's statements asserting that the persons of interest are not associated with the residence.
The family claims that attempts to file complaints over the phone with Karratha Police were met with disconnection, suggesting a reluctance on the part of officers to address their grievances.
Local resident Nikita Hicks described the recurring incidents, stating, “They invite themselves into the house even after we’ve repeatedly told the officers that the individuals they’re looking for don’t live here.”
In response, a spokesperson from WA Police told Ngaarda Media, “At this time, a complaint has not been received in relation to this matter. Should a complaint be received, an investigation will be commenced.”
The spokesperson also noted that certain circumstances allow police officers to enter private property without a search warrant, such as situations where a person may be at imminent risk of harm or when searching for an arrestable individual.
Ngaarda Media understands that two officers from the Karratha Police Station have since offered a doorstep apology to the family in an effort to address the situation and rectify any misunderstandings.
As this story unfolds, it highlights ongoing tensions and concerns regarding the conduct of police in Aboriginal communities, raising questions around procedural transparency and community-police relations in Karratha.
Listen to resident Niita Hicks speak with Cassandra Ariuu Before and After she reported to Ngaarda Media