At least 35 police officers will be taken off Perth streets to meet the McGowan Government’s election pledge to keep the front counters at Armadale, Ellenbrook and Cockburn stations open 24 hours a day.

Deputy commissioner of operations Stephen Brown revealed the true cost of the policy yesterday, saying about a dozen officers were needed at each of the three stations to provide the counter service he conceded would means fewer police cars out on the roads.

“It is the commitment of the Government ... and we are delivering on that election promise,” Mr Brown said.

Perth already has seven police stations that operate a front counter service 24 hours a day.

But extending the current 8am to 4pm opening hours at Armadale, Ellenbrook and Cockburn was a key election pledge that also came with a promise of an extra $7 million to help fund it.

However, Mr Brown confirmed yesterday that no new money had yet been received to help implement the changes that were instead being funded from existing resources.

At least one key frontline unit — the regional operations group’s central division — has already been axed to free up 23 officers who would be moved to the Ellenbrook and Cockburn stations.

Armadale would be forced to find the staff it needed from within its existing ranks.

Mr Brown said that although demand for front counter services was not high outside normal business hours, the issues people came into a station to report late at night were often more serious.

But Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan had a different view in 2013 when he said most of those who came into stations at night were either “taxi drivers” or “drunks” who could just as easily have reported their issues over the phone.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said the front counter policy recognised the growth of areas such as Ellenbrook and Cockburn and she was pleased police were moving quickly to implement her Government’s promises.

She said any funding commitments would be outlined in September’s State Budget.

“I've been assured by the Commissioner there will be no adverse impact and we see this as a significant enhancement in public safety in these areas,” Mrs Roberts said.

WA Police Union president George Tilbury said he understood it was an election commitment but the Government needed to fund it and properly resource it.

"Government is talking about an additional $7 million but where is it?," he asked.

"If they want to introduce these new initiatives... they need to appropriately resource it because this is going to put the community at risk and our members," he said.

"Cars are being taken off the road to put police officers in police stations... it's going to create longer wait times for the police to attend jobs."

The Regional Operations Group's central division of 44 officers provide assistance to frontline officers, deal with out-of-control parties and patrol entertainment precincts and Domain Stadium.

Mr Tilbury said it was a "rarity" for people to visit police stations overnight, although he understood a 24/7 police station made nearby residents feel safer.

"What the public wants is if they call for help the police respond - they (officers) are better off being on the road and being able to respond," he said.

Opposition police spokesman Peter Katsambanis said it was bad policy and urged the Government to reconsider the move.

“Labor were warned before the election that their policy would inevitably lead to fewer police out on the roads and more stuck behind desks,” he said.

Mr Brown said those officers working front counter shifts would be expected to use their time wisely to catch up on paperwork and court briefs when they were not dealing with members of the public.

He said the closure of the regional operations group central division would also free another 21 staff who would be sent to Rockingham to help fight crime problems and reduce response times in that area.