History of Rangers in Western Australia
Australia, total land area is 2,967,893 square miles or 7,686,850 square kilometers, population approximately 22,800,000 with an urban/rural population divide of 87% urban and 13% rural.
The transition from our early days as a new colony through to today’s modern Australian society, saw a rapid rise in the number of dogs and the need for animal control and welfare laws.
Companion animals play a very large part in our lives with 66% of Australian homes owning at least one pet, making us one of the largest pet owning communities in the world. Of those that do not have a pet, 53% would if they had suitable accommodation. There are an estimated 3.9 million dogs in Australia with 341,000 in Western Australia where animal control and other law enforcement is carried out by Local Government Rangers.
The first known Ranger in Western Australia was appointed to round up straying cattle. This photo shows Mr Jarvis and sons and was taken in 1930 near Perry Lakes, City of Perth. >
Archive photo use by kind permission Town of Cambridge.
The first modern day Rangers were authorised about 1972. They had no training, no uniforms or even a job description but in time started to become organised. A small number formed an association in 1978 known as the “Municipal Law Enforcement Officers Association Inc” and through this fledgling group started to raise the profile and reputation of Local Government Rangers.
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Two photos above taken 1977, show one of the first City of Perth “Park” Rangers with a uniform, vehicle and the job of looking after recreational areas and wildlife with other officers being appointed to either parking, dog or litter control.
Changing Direction
Prior to this in the early days of municipal law enforcement, each officer had his or her specific job and duties to perform.
Training began through MLEOA.
Changes were on the way! Multi-skilled enforcement patrols were being introduced with outstanding results.
What are multi-skilled duties?
Yes, in the beginning officers were dedicated to parking, dog control, park care or litter control, one person, one job only. This was eventually viewed as a waste of human resources.
Councils soon realised the value of training and authorising their officers to perform a number of duties and to enforce more than one or two laws relating to Local Government operations. The result, “Community Rangers” provided a better service to residents, business community and visitors in their areas.
West Australian Rangers are unique in their ability to perform a number of functions at a highly professional level, thus making the Ranger a “Specialist” and a “General Practitioner”. Animal care & control, fire fighting, traffic & off road vehicle control, litter control, beach patrols and providing community education programs are all part of their everyday work in Australia’s largest State.
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Whether taking a lost dog home to its family or fighting out of control bushfires, our WA Rangers are highly trained, fully equipped and ready to deal with any situations as they develop.
Having looked at some history of Western Australia and the WA Ranger, return to the “Home” page and click on “Ranger Duties”. This will open a new index providing the reader with a detailed look at the work and duties of the WA Ranger.