Workplace Protection Orders

Personal Protection and Workplace Protection Orders (WPO) are made by the court and prohibit someone from engaging in personal violence towards an individual or for a workplace.

Workplace Protection Orders

• When a person is subject to a WPO it provides certain restrictions the person must adhere to – most commonly restrictions on attending a particular shop or group of shops. It also provides police with a legal instrument to take immediate action if the order is breached.

• To date, WPOs have proven to be very effective in addressing and effecting change on recidivist criminal behaviour. Importantly – WPO’s can prevent an offender from continuing their behaviour, keeping them out of the justice system.

• A WPO can be made by completing a form available on the ACT Magistrates Court Website. These forms must be lodged at the ACT Magistrates Court, Knowles Place, Canberra.

Effectiveness of WPOs

• Anecdotally, police have seen recidivist offenders completely stop the relevant offending while others have changed their behaviours.

• Feedback from retailers has been positive – with their loss prevention and work health and safety teams actively engaging with their staff on repeat offenders committing offences in their retail outlets. They prepare the material to support the application for a WPO and submit it to the court for consideration.

• When the WPO does not see behaviour change – ACT Policing works with retailers and shopping centre operators to collect evidence regarding those breaches to place the person before court.