WA Police officer keeps job despite wearing obscene patch during teen's arrest

A police officer who wore a patch with an obscene phrase while arresting a teenager is very lucky to keep his job, according to the state police commissioner. Constable Lachlan Costello wore a vest with the words "FOLD C**TS" on his chest during the arrest of a 16-year-old in Geraldton in September 2024.

Disciplinary Action

Police Commissioner Col Blanch stated that the officer is on a very short leash and will lose his job if he makes one more mistake. As part of his disciplinary penalty, the constable was held at rank and also penalized for turning off his body-worn camera against department policy during the incident. Video footage showed him handcuffing the teenager, turning off his camera 90 seconds later, and later raising his hand to block a colleague's camera. The commissioner noted he understood the phrase on the patch is used in rugby to refer to rough play and hitting someone so hard they collapse, mentioning the officer also coaches young people in sports.

Reactions and Context

The incident drew a sharp response from Police Minister Reece Whitby, who sought an explanation from the commissioner, while the Aboriginal Legal Service raised concerns about officers frequently turning off body-worn cameras, a claim the commissioner rejected unless proof is provided. Police body-worn cameras are standard equipment meant to record interactions during arrests and ensure accountability for both officers and the public during law enforcement operations.