The WA Police Union says its worst fears have been realised after the stabbing death of a woman at Joondalup court on Tuesday.
The union has been pushing for its officers to be fully armed in WA courts for some time and has previously raised security issues at court buildings in the past.
Woman dies after being stabbed inside Joondalup courthouse
A woman in her 30s has died after she was stabbed at Joondalup court this morning. Vision: Nine News Perth.
"We have been warning the Chief Justice and the Attorney General about the lack of security at court complexes and the importance of our officers to be fully armed for years," union president George Tilbury said on Tuesday.
"Sadly, a woman has lost her life in an event that could have been prevented if appropriate security was in force, including the use of metal detectors at the court entrance.
"Our worst fear has now been tragically realised with an innocent person being killed in a court complex.
"In this horrific incident, our members had to arrest a man who allegedly used a knife to kill a woman known to him without any accoutrements, putting their lives at unacceptable risk. Coincidently, these officers were at court to give evidence.
"Police in court complexes are not allowed to be fully armed, nor are they in a position to totally defend themselves, others, or the judiciary."
Allowing police officers to be fully armed in court forms part of the union's pre-election submission.
"I implore the Attorney General to make an order to immediately allow police officers to be fully armed at all times inside court complexes," Mr Tilbury said.
"Officers in NSW have been fully armed in courts since last year and it is inexcusable that WA is lagging behind on the issue of security and personal safety.
"There is no time to waste on this issue and action needs to be taken immediately to make court complexes a safer place for everyone, including police officers.
"We extend our condolences to the woman's family and friends during this heartbreaking and difficult time."
WA Law Society president Elizabeth Needham said security checks needed to occur at all courthouses.
Joondalup, Fremantle, Midland and Armadale courts do not currently conduct security checks.
"Joondalup court's not the only one [to not use security screening], for example Fremantle [Magistrates Court] has a machine for security check points but it doesn't use it for whatever reason," Ms Needham said.
"We've had concerns [with security in courts]...certainly everyone's in very close proximity – there's little availability where there are domestic violence issues to have people separated."
West Australian Attorney General, Michael Mischin, dismissed the notion that there were no security measures in place at these courts but given Tuesday's events was looking into new checks.
"All courts are subject to a range of security measures, which the department does not disclose for operational reasons," Mr Mischin said.
"I have asked for a review of security at all WA courts in light of this incident."