WA police union seeks pause on high-speed pursuits

The 28-year-old, who was accused of stealing several cars and using a tomahawk to threaten victims, was arrested on the Kwinana Freeway after his vehicle was surrounded by four police cars which slowed to a halt in a "boxing-in" technique.

One police car crashed into a light pole which fell onto the suspect's vehicle but no one was hurt, according to the WA Police Union.

Acting union president Paul Gale on Wednesday wrote to officers requesting they not engage in high-speed pursuits of people trying to evade police until a review was undertaken on intercept policies.

In a letter to acting police commissioner Kylie Whiteley, Mr Gale wrote that officers engaging in pursuits needed greater flexibility.

"I recognise this is a significant step but I cannot in good conscience endorse the use of actions under a policy if our members are being subjected to possible criminal action and loss of employment under that policy," he wrote.

"The 'Kwinana 26' are nothing short of heroes. They carried out a tremendous job in the face of extremely difficult circumstances, all the while avoiding harm to the community."

Ms Whiteley told ABC radio the officers involved in the probe had her support but refused to say whether they could face disciplinary action.

She said the pursuits policy was regularly reviewed and other options including air patrols could be utilised to track vehicles evading police.

The union wants police vehicles to outfitted with dash-cams providing a live and continuous feed to the state operations centre.

It also wants officers to be trained in the use of the boxing-in technique which is not currently included in intercept policies.

"Most Western Australians would be shocked to learn we carry out this US-style police tactic based on little more than what we've seen on Netflix," Mr Gale wrote.

"It is very easy to trip up while doing what's required to protect the community."