Why are WA police asking about my race?
A couple of years ago, my vehicle was stolen in Perth. I went to the police station, and they handed me a piece of paper with a phone number (131 4444) for reporting the incident. After I called to file the report, the officer unexpectedly asked me about my race. I was taken aback and thought it was a strange question, and the officer seemed to share my sentiment. Nevertheless, it seemed I needed to provide that information to complete my report, so I answered.
They already had my WA driver’s license number, address, and registration details. I’m just curious about why they needed my race for this process. I’ve asked other Australians, but no one has been able to provide an explanation.
It’s understandable to be confused about why police might ask for your race when filing a report. In many regions, police departments collect demographic data for various reasons, including tracking trends in crime, ensuring fair treatment across different communities, and improving community relations.
In your case, the officer might have been gathering information to better understand the context of the stolen vehicle report or to help with crime statistics. While it might feel irrelevant in the moment, such data can sometimes help authorities measure and address issues related to crime prevention and community engagement.
However, if it made you uncomfortable, it would be worthwhile to provide feedback to the police department about your experience so they can assess their practices. It’s important for law enforcement to be aware of how their questions can be perceived by the community.