Police Commissioner Chris Dawson confirmed WA Police has spent $266,000 on polo shirts as part of a new uniform which is now under review.

Mr Dawson told an estimates committee this morning he had concerns about the professionalism of the polo shirts, which under the former plan would replace the current light blue button up shirts as the day-to-day uniform of officers.

Instead, Mr Dawson revealed there was a review underway in how the polos could be used, flagging officers may wear them when they are cleaning out their vehicles or doing back room work.

It comes as former police commissioner Karl O’Callaghan questioned the decision of Mr Dawson to suspend to new uniforms, saying the rank and file officers were “upset” by the decision.

Mr O’Callaghan spoke on ABC Radio after The West Australian revealed he had raised questions about the suitability of his successor Chris Dawson to become police commissioner over his stewardship of the Claremont serial killer investigation.

Mr O’Callaghan said the decision of Mr Dawson to suspend new uniforms would not be welcomed by police officers.

Camera Icon Karl O’Callaghan raised concerns to the CCC and Labor about the suitability of Chris Dawson.

“I think what I can say is that the troops are unhappy with it,” he said.

“We have gone through a long process of trying to make sure we had the right material to go underneath these outer garments and now they’ve been put on hold.

“I can tell you now the rank and file are very upset that at how this has been handled.”

Mr O’Callaghan defended speaking out since leaving the post, saying he was an “independent commentator”.

“I think (Mr Dawson) will do a terrific job for WA – I don’t have any issue with his integrity or his ability to run the police force,” he said.

“I’ve worked with Chris for a long time, both as deputy commissioner here and in his role as Australian Crime Commission and there’s no particular issue between us.”

Camera Icon A review is underway over the new shirts. Credit: WA News

Today, The West Australian revealed Mr O’Callaghan referred an internal WA Police report on the Claremont serial killer investigation, which previously sat within Mr Dawson’s crime portfolio as deputy commissioner, to the Corruption and Crime Commission about a year ago.

Mr O’Callaghan said the CCC referral was not an “unusual” thing to occur.

“It was a range of concerns with a number of people – none of them were criminal, none of them were earth shattering but I thought they had to be referred to the Corruption and Crime Commission, just for an independent review,” he said.

“It’s got nothing to do with Mr Dawson or any particular person.”

Mr O’Callaghan also raised concerns with the appointment process for the commissioner’s role, saying Burns Beach MP Mark Folkard’s interference had caused the process to be questioned.