The WA police commissioner says an officer caught with a "despicable" patch on his uniform is "very lucky to have his job".
The ABC yesterday revealed details of an incident in which Constable Lachlan Costello wore the phrase "FOLD C**TS" on his vest while arresting a 16-year-old in Geraldton in September 2024.
It prompted a swift rebuke from Police Minister Reece Whitby, who said he would be seeking an explanation from the commissioner.
"There is no explanation that I would ever, in any world, think that that is appropriate behaviour," Commissioner Col Blanch told 102.5 ABC Perth.
Mr Blanch said the constable had been held "at rank" as part of a disciplinary sanction imposed in the wake of the incident, but he remained a serving officer.
The disciplinary action also addressed him turning off his body-worn camera against police policy,
"If he does one thing wrong he will lose his job," the commissioner said.
Mr Blanch said he understood the phrase on the patch referred to "rough play" in rugby.
Colloquially it can refer to hitting someone so hard they collapse.
"This individual, I'm told, is a sporting coach of young people, plays sport with lots of kids in the community, and it's a sporting term," he said.
