UNDER PRESSURE:  More than two-thirds of WA police officers have considered quitting due to poor pay, stress and lack of resources. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

A poll of the state's officers revealed an overwhelming 93 per cent do not believe there are enough of them to properly patrol WA's streets, public transport and roads.

And two-thirds say speed and red-light cameras are more about revenue raising than road safety.

The findings are based on the responses of 625 WA police officers who took part in a comprehensive online questionnaire by The Sunday Times and perthnow.com.au and supported by Channel 9, which canvassed the state's 5500 officers in December.

SEE FULL REPORTS IN THE SUNDAY TIMES

Many used the survey to voice their anger at the state of the force, the lack of officers on the beat and substandard working conditions.

Another, a seasoned officer of 18 years, said: "The deterioration in police working standards, physical working conditions, the treatment and contempt of police shown by the courts and judicial system, the lack of respect afforded police by our own managers and the community as a whole, is breathtaking.

"I no longer wish to do this job in these depressing and frustrating conditions and am actively seeking employment elsewhere."

Despite the disillusionment, 77 per cent said they did not regret becoming police officers, saying it was mostly a rewarding job.

The survey also found 90 per cent believe a shortage of police is putting extra pressure on them, while 86 per cent say deficient resources make it difficult for them to make arrests or properly pursue investigations.

Just 9 per cent said the blue uniform commandeered the respect of young people.

Almost 80 per cent said there were not enough incentives to encourage police to take up country posts.

And only 30 per cent said there was enough counselling for traumatised police.

Some cited bullying, the impact of the job on family life and laborious paperwork as key factors in contemplating resigning from the force.

"Sergeants bully and harass their subordinates in order to get jobs cleared instead of looking after the welfare of their staff," one officer said.

Another said: "Police (are) too scared to perform their duty due to being heavily scrutinised by 'armchair' politicians, news reporters, plus other people, about their actions."

Several officers said the lack of staff was the main challenge of the job.

"Small country towns would be shocked to know that their police are not paid an on-call allowance to attend to urgent jobs after hours," one officer wrote.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan and Police Minister Rob Johnson refused to comment on the survey.

But WA Police Union president Russell Armstrong said he was not surprised two-thirds of police had considered resigning, given the great volume of work and pressures of shift work.

"Officers are finding that their job involves more and more administration, and instead of policing, they are drowning in a sea of paperwork," he said. "The recent intense scrutiny of police by the media, the public, the CCC, high-profile politicians and WA Police has also increased stress levels for officers already in a high-pressure job."

Mr Armstrong said 205 police resigned from the force last year compared with 176 in 2009. And the force was trying to compete with lucrative mining jobs, which paid "phenomenal wages".

"Our officers don't know what they're going to confront when they leave for work and if they're going to come home at night to their families," he said. "Police deserve to receive a substantial pay increase for working in such a dangerous and stressful environment."

Mr Armstrong said his latest advice suggested there was a shortfall of about 300 officers in WA.

"This adds to the day-to-day burden of officers who are trying to live up to the expectations of community, the Government and the department," he said.

Opposition police spokeswoman Margaret Quirk said there was a "compelling need to adequately support and value those already in the force".

"There is no point putting all the focus into recruitment if the people already in the job feel taken for granted and suffer stress and low morale," she said.

MONDAY: What we think of our judges and magistrates.