Union says WA has a detective shortfall

Western Australia's police union says potential detectives are being deterred by unfavourable job conditions and there's a shortfall of 50 detectives in the state.

WAPU president George Tilbury says detectives are being forced to relieve duties at district control centres and in crime cars, leaving them unable to complete their investigation work.

Mr Tilbury says job conditions are deterring officers from becoming detectives, and it's up to WA Police to ensure the job is more attractive to prospective applicants.

"There are a number of highly qualified, former detectives working in uniform for local policing teams because the workload, hours and the fact they can complete their investigations is far more attractive," he said.

A document obtained by WA Labor shows Armadale and Kensington police stations are five detectives short, while several other stations are missing four personal.