WA POLICE Commissioner Chris Dawson has ordered officers to resume full duties following the union's unprecedented call to only attend emergencies over a pay dispute with the state government.

In a statement, the commissioner said the proposed action had the potential to affect community safety and directed all officers to not follow the union's statement.

"As all officers can appreciate, any call for assistance by members of the public can escalate. It is our duty to respond to all calls for police help," he said.

"In accordance with regulation 401 of the Police Force Regulations 1979, all officers are directed not to follow the statements in the Union’s newsletter and are to perform their duty.

"The passion and commitment of our officers to ensure the safety of the community has never been compromised and this continues to be the priority for the WA Police Force.

"The WA Police Force are committed to working through the current issues with the WA Police Union and Government."

Following the commissioner's statement the WA Police Union issued a new statement advising members they were required to comply.

"WA Police has issued an urgent broadcast instructing all Members to resume full duties. As this is a lawful instruction, all Members are required to comply," it said. "Accordingly, Phase Three of the industrial action is to cease immediately and Members must return to normal policing activities.

"However, WAPU has instructed Members to take the following actions from Phase One and Two until further notice:

Do not sign on for duty until your rostered start time;

Only draw accoutrements once your shift has commenced;

Undertake full equipment checks at the start of your shift;

Conduct P.O.W.E.R checks on your vehicle at the start of your shift;

Return to your station / section and take a full uninterrupted meal break as per the industrial entitlement;

Any interrupted meal break is to be restarted after the interruption is dealt with and a meal claim lodged;

Return to your station / section to fully complete each task, including all associated paper work;

Only attend one job at a time until it is finalised (i.e. do not ‘stack’ jobs unless there is an emergency);

Do not use private mobile phones for work;

Do not work unauthorised overtime;

Use your discretion to issue cautions instead of infringements for traffic and liquor offences; and

Conduct highly visible welfare checks on speed camera operators.

"Our police officers are frustrated and angry but this has sent a powerful message to Government that this treatment will not be tolerated."

Earlier, the union released a statement ordering officers not to leave the station unless being called to an emergency.

President George Tilbury said under "phase three" of their industrial campaign, officers would only leave their station or section to attend emergencies or urgent tasks.

That would effectively mean on-street patrols will stop from tonight.

A union spokesperson also said it would mean roadside breath-testing would also stop.

“We are furious that the Government has shown absolutely no goodwill towards police officers, demonstrating a clear lack of understanding about the difficult and dangerous work they do,” Mr Tilbury said.

“Government also failed to recognise that police are unique and unlike any other public sector worker. Suggestions put forward to resolve this impasse included a number of items, such as additional allowances, improved conditions and delayed implementation.

"However, this has all fallen on deaf ears.”

Mr Tilbury reiterated that community safety will not to be compromised during the the industrial campaign.

“Incidents may be upgraded if circumstances change, necessitating immediate police attendance for what would otherwise be a low priority job,” he said.

The long-running pay dispute with the government centres around the police union demand for a 1.5% pay rise. The government has offered a straight $1000, the same amount being given to all public servants.

“The Premier and his Government have shown no intestinal fortitude to resolve this impasse and we are sick of police officers being treated with contempt,” Mr Tilbury said

He said WAPU would immediately rescind the action if the Premier committed to a 38-hour week for police officers.

The police minister has been contacted for comment.