Serious assaults requiring time off work, broken noses and chipped teeth to officers had also resulted from dealing with people in the grips of the substance, Superintendent Peter McKenna said.

The Orana Mid-Western Police District commander was giving evidence to the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug 'Ice' on Wednesday.

Superintendent McKenna said people under the influence of amphetamine-type substances posed greater risks to physical safety, both for the officer and the individual they were dealing with.

"Instead of two police in a patrol car having to deal with something, you might need six or eight police to turn up to deal with it," he told Commissioner Professor Dan Howard SC.

There were also added custody issues, including the person may attempt self-harm, so they had to be "closely monitored".

"You can't have one custody officer just trying to move them between docks and cells, toilets, you need a team there at times. It can be very resource-intensive."

During an almost hour-long testimony, the commander said there were people of all ages, genders and backgrounds dealing the drug.

"The demographic of supply isn't something we can profile," he said.

"They could be a single mum, right through to a business person.

"It's across the spectrum, we don't have one profile we've come across that says they are more likely to be a supplier than not.

"Male, female, often husband and wife or partners.

"They can be young, they can be old."

But "generally speaking", in his experience in different police districts, those from a low socio-economic background made up a higher prevalence in using the drug, Superintendent McKenna said.