Mandatory blood testing for WA offenders who bite or spit at police | Australia news | The GuardianMandatory blood testing for WA offenders who bite or spit at police | Australia news | The Guardian










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Western Australia



Mandatory blood testing for WA offenders who bite or spit at police









People suspected of having transferred bodily fluids to a police officer will have their blood tested for infectious diseases

















Previously, Western Australian police officers had to wait up to six months for test results if they were suspected of having contracted an infectious disease in the line of duty. Photograph: Tony McDonough/AAP Image



Guardian staff and agencies


Tuesday 30 December 2014 20.58 EST







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Blood tests for people who bite or spit at Western Australian police officers will be mandatory from Thursday.
Officers previously had to wait up to six months for their own test results if they were suspected of having contracted an infectious disease in the line of duty.
Almost 150 officers were exposed to bodily fluids in 2013, the government said.
Under the new laws, a person suspected of having transferred bodily fluids such as semen, blood and saliva to an officer will have their blood tested for infectious diseases.
The WA police minister, Liza Harvey, told the ABC the new laws were overdue.
“Last year we had 147 police officers who were subject to basically being spat upon or bitten by people and that’s quite disgusting,” Harvey said.
“They [offenders] will be forced to provide a blood sample so we can rule out HIV and Hep B and C transmission.”
Those who refuse to have a test face a $12,000 fine and 12 months jail.
The law was passed in October and the state’s police union has welcomed its 1 January implementation.



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