Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia Director Peter Collins has criticised Western Australia Police for removing officers from regional courtrooms, a move that has led to the closure of multiple courts across regional and remote areas.

"The refusal of WA Police to provide court and custodial security will cause further delays in the justice system, affect both the accused and victims, and result in more people being held in custody for longer," Mr Collins said.

"As always, Aboriginal people will bear the brunt of these changes."

The courts have announced the disruptions, stating court security and custodial services — usually provided by WA Police in many regional areas — could no longer be guaranteed in the coming months.

Without police officers to provide security, supervise people in custody, or transport detainees, courts said many regional sittings could not safely proceed.

From June 1 to August 28, 2026, court sittings will continue only in a few regional centres where security can be assured, including Broome, Kununurra, Geraldton, and Kalgoorlie.

Most other regional court registries will temporarily close. The changes are expected to heavily impact the Magistrates' Court and Children's Court. Some hearings may be held by video link where possible.

Mr Collins said he understood why regional courts in communities such as Fitzroy Crossing and Bidyadanga had little option but to close.

He said concerns over court and custodial security in regional and remote courts had been building for some time.

"The problem of providing court and custodial security in regional and remote communities has been brewing for a long time."

Though the decision will generate dramatic changes for alleged offenders, for instance, if someone is charged in Fitzroy Crossing, they will have to be transported the 400 km to Broome to appear in court.

Mr Collins strongly criticised WA Police, accusing the force of stepping away from its responsibilities in the justice system.

"WA Police are willing to arrest, charge, and refuse bail, but then claim they have no role in ensuring the timely and efficient administration of justice by providing security for courts. This attitude is deplorable and should be condemned," he said.

"The situation is so bad, that in some police stations, police won't even push a button on to enable an accused person to appear by video link before a court."

Mr Collins dismissed claims that police lack the resources to continue providing court security in regional and remote communities.

"In many regional towns and all remote communities, police have long been the only agency with the resources and expertise to provide court and custodial security," he said.

"WA Police will arrest and charge close to 50,000 Aboriginal people in 2026, more than ever before, so they clearly have resources for on-the-ground policing."

Responding to the criticisms, WA police said: "The Western Australia Police Force continues to work with Justice and will continue to assist Justice where resourcing is available."

"In regional WA, where additional police resources can be hours away, it is vital that local police are proactively patrolling, highly visible and able to rapidly respond to protect the entire community," a WA police spokesperson said.

"Should an urgent call for help be made by anyone in the community, including the courts, the officers will be able to respond appropriately."