Up to 200 SA police officers to be sent on leave after refusing mandatory Covid vaccination

The police officers union will seek legal advice over mandatory vaccinations for SA officers – and is demanding help for anyone who suffers a bad reaction.

A meeting of Police Association delegates to discuss a direction that all police face mandatory vaccination has resolved to seek legal advice over the move.

The meeting has also resolved a range of actions to ensure the welfare of officers who agree to the requirement and those who decline.

They include ensuring the welfare of officers who suffer an adverse reaction to any vaccine as a WorkCover claim and/or injury and income protection claim, the possibility of alternative duties being made available to officers who decline vaccination and that Police Commissioner Grant Stevens enter into negotiations with the union “in respect of the industrial implications for those affected by his direction.’’

Around 200 police officers are expected to refuse the directive to be vaccinated by November 15 or face being sent on leave and then be directed to take leave without pay.

A statement issued by the delegates after Thurday’s meeting states the delegates “accept that many members hold strong views on either side of the mandatory vaccination argument.’’

“Delegates believe that members should be free to make personal health decisions under the principle of informed consent, without the fear of losing their job or suffering some other undeserved punishment,’’ it says.

“Delegates support each member’s individual right to undertake vaccination by choice rather than coercion.’’

It also states the delegates “respect that members have their own personal, legitimate reasons for choosing not to take the vaccine’’ and that they “also respect the concerns of members who are in favour of mandatory vaccination, and their concern over working with unvaccinated people.’’

Cops’ jobs at risk as hundreds refuse vaccination

Up to 200 police officers are expected to be banned from working from November 15 because they refuse to be vaccinated.

The unvaccinated officers will initially be directed to take leave, but once that is used up are likely to be placed on leave without pay until their individual circumstances are resolved.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens – in his capacity as state co-ordinator under the Emergency Management Act – last week directed that from November 15 all officers must be either partially or fully vaccinated to perform police functions or enter police buildings.

The direction brings SAPOL into line with every other Australian policing jurisdiction and many other professions moving to full vaccination.

Police Association president Mark Carroll said 90 per cent of police had so far either been fully or partially vaccinated, but many were choosing not to do so.

“We have around 400 people who have expressed to us they do not wish to be vaccinated at this time,’’ he said.

“They are looking to the association to support them in an industrial sense owing to the threat to their employment by not being vaccinated.

“We will be discussing with our delegates the direction to be vaccinated by November 15.’’

Mr Carroll said the association had initiated online events for members to discuss vaccination and the latest research with health experts. A webinar was being held Thursday night with the Immunisation Coalition.

“We are endeavouring to assist those with questions surrounding vaccination, but the association executive in September advised members it does not support the imposition of mandatory vaccination on its members,’’ he said.

While around 400 police are unvaccinated at present, it is anticipated up to half may relent to maintain their employment.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens gets his second vaccine from registered nurse Jackie Gartner at the RAH in March. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Stevens acknowledged the prospect of up to 200 police officers not working “would have a resource impact”.

“But we have to balance that against the potential consequences of an unvaccinated person bringing Covid into the workplace,” he said.

The news comes as SA Water announced that 1500 staff will need to be Covid-19 vaccinated by November 17.

SA Water have mandated that all staff have at least one TGA-approved Covid vaccination by November 17. They will need a second jab by Christmas Eve.

SA Water chief executive, David Ryan, said the move is the “latest evolution” of the organisation’s response to Covid-19.

“Our people have modified their work patterns and practices, used additional personal protective equipment and implemented extra hygiene requirements since March last year, and this is the latest evolution of our response,” Mr Ryan said.