Western Australia's police chief has made a historic apology to the state's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, saying the force has played a significant role in contributing to a traumatic history.

At an emotional ceremony outside police headquarters in Perth on Thursday, the commissioner, Chris Dawson, said police being tasked with forcibly removing children from their families during the stolen generations era had damaged their relationship with Indigenous people and led to mistrust in law enforcers

• 'Deeply sorry': Western Australia police chief apologises to Indigenous people