WA Police officers will have strengthened authority to use lethal force during terrorist sieges under new counter terrorism legislation to be introduced by the State Government.
The reforms will give police clear legal protections if they are required to use pre-emptive force when responding to a terrorist incident.
The special powers are being introduced in response to findings from the New South Wales Coronial Inquest into the Lindt Café siege.
The NSW Coroner recommended that special powers available to police responding to a terrorist incident should include a more clearly defined right to use force ensuring legal protection to respond to terrorist incidents in a manner most likely to minimise the risk to members of the public.
As part of the new powers, the Commissioner of Police would first have to declare that the incident officers are responding to is terrorism related.