A man has faced court after a police officer was run over and dragged beneath a car during an arrest, leaving him fighting for his life.
Officers were following the car, allegedly bearing stolen number plates, through Ascot in Perth's east about 1am on Thursday when it came to a stop.
As they tried to detain the three occupants, a 28-year-old constable was hit by the vehicle and dragged underneath.
His fellow officers had to lift the car off him and attempted CPR at the scene before he was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
He was placed in an induced coma and remained in intensive care in Royal Perth Hospital on Friday with his family by his side.
Reagan Ainsley Chown, 23, faced Perth Magistrates Court via videolink from custody on Friday charged with multiple offences, including committing an act intended to prevent arrest which caused grievous bodily harm.
He was not required to enter pleas and was remanded in custody to face court again on July 7.
Chown has also been charged with stealing a motor vehicle, reckless driving to escape police pursuit, failing to stop when directed and possession of methamphetamine and a drug implement.
Premier Roger Cook confirmed the officer's condition was unchanged overnight, describing the alleged offending as "disgraceful and despicable".
"We all deplore and are simply outraged at this incredible act of violence on one of our police officers," he said.
Police said a 20-year-old woman and 25-year-old man who were detained after also allegedly being in the stolen car had been released, pending further investigation.
Inspector Geoff DeSanges said further charges could be laid.
"Officers from the gang crime squad are involved in the investigation, as are officers from a number of various disciplines within WA Police, and we'll be exploring any gang links," he said.
The constable's partner and other officers have been commended for their efforts to quickly free their colleague and provide first aid.
WA Police Union acting president Paul Gale said the thoughts of all officers were with the injured constable, who was fairly new to the force.
"Every day, our officers commit to putting their lives on the line to protect the people of this state," he said.
"Unfortunately, the nature of policing will expose officers on the frontline to dangerous situations but this behaviour towards our own is vile and proves there are elements of our society that have no regard for another person's life."