Review launched after SA Police officer offered gift card for most fines handed out
A senior police officer offered a gift card as a prize for whichever officer handed out the most fines and cautions during a road safety blitz.
SA Police has launched a formal review into the actions of a senior member of the force who offered a gift card as a prize for whichever officer handed out the most fines and cautions during a road safety blitz.
Police revealed the incident occurred ahead of a traffic campaign that runs from Monday until Friday.
“A SAPOL manager recently directed an email to some staff offering an incentive to the police officer who made the greatest contribution to road safety by way of Traffic Infringement Notice Expiations or Cautions issued as a part of the current traffic operation ‘Operation Fatal Distraction’,” it said in a statement.
“The incentive offered was a gift card purchased by the manager from their own funds. Such a practice is not SAPOL policy and is not permitted.
“The email instruction has been recalled and SAPOL staff have been advised that the advice in the email is not to be actioned and is contrary to SAPOL’s policy and practices.”
The Advertiser understands the incentive was a $30 Coles Myer Gift Card and officers would receive four points for a fine and one point for a caution.
It is believed the officer is based on the West Coast.
On Tuesday morning, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told ABC Radio the incentive was a “well-intentioned idea” that wasn’t “properly thought through”.
“I need to state from the outset we do not have quotas for traffic offences. We don’t direct police officers how they should deal with road users who are breaching the road rules,” he said.
“We don’t offer incentives and as soon as we heard about this we shut it down.”
Mr Stevens said traffic fines were issued depending on circumstance.
The incident will now be subject to a formal review. SA Police would not reveal what, if any, action had been taken against the officer involved.
“When (officers) pull over a driver, they need to assess the extent of the offending, any circumstances, and make a decision on whether they’re going to give them a warning or issue a fine,” Mr Stevens said.
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