Wade Burns resigns from Woodcroft College board after assault claims aired in parliament

An email was circulated to parents after union candidate Wade Burns stepped down from another board — but the Police Association remains silent on bombshell claims.

Embattled police union presidential candidate Wade Burns has resigned as chair of a southern suburbs private school’s board in the wake of bombshell allegations.

Mr Burns, the current deputy president of the police union, has tendered his resignation for Woodcroft College’s council amid claims aired in parliament he had indecently assaulted a SA Police colleague at a function in 2017.

Endorsements from Basketball SA chief executive Tim Brenton and Woodcroft College principal Shannon Warren were quietly removed from Mr Burns’ election campaign website this week.

SA sporting hall of famer Jenny Williams’ endorsement was also taken down ahead of Mr Burns’ resignation from the Basketball SA Commission on Monday.

A now-deleted reference from Basketball SA chief executive Tim Brenton. Picture: Supplied

A now-deleted reference from Woodcroft principal Shannon Warren. Picture: Supplied

In an email circulated to school parents on Thursday, Woodcroft College council acting chair Stephen Branch said Mr Burns had stood down from the role “in the best interests of the college”.

“The matters reported in the media were not previously known to the College,” Mr Branch said.

“After reading the media reporting, our Principal, Shannon Warren, followed good governance by referring the matter to the College Council for consideration.

“The Council respects Mr Burns’ decision, and thanks him for his service to the College.”

The school said Ms Warren requested removal of her reference from Mr Burns’ campaign material.

Mr Burns is one of four candidates contesting a by-election to decide who will replace outgoing Police Association president Mark Carroll.

The Police Association of South Australia (PASA) and current president Mark Carroll have stayed publicly silent on the matter ahead of the close of voting next week, while Mr Burns has not replied to multiple requests for comment from The Advertiser.

An email was circulated to parents after union candidate Wade Burns stepped down from Woodcroft College's board. Principal Shannon Warren has since requested her reference for Mr Burns be removed.

Under parliamentary privilege last week, independent MLC Frank Pangallo said Mr Burns – the son of former police commissioner Gary Burns – was demoted from chief inspector to senior sergeant in 2017 after it was claimed he indecently assaulted a then-civilian female SA Police employee at a social function.

The allegations had not previously been able to be made public due to the secrecy provisions under the state’s Police Complaints and Discipline Act.

In a memo following Mr Pangallo’s told union members in a subsequent memo his campaign would continue and that “what was said – under parliamentary privilege – was factually incorrect”.

He acknowledged he had challenged SA Police in the Police Review Tribunal – “and won”, and said that his misconduct “was not – nor was it ever – a criminal matter”.

However, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens subsequently said SA Police’s Internal Investigation Section did commence a criminal investigation after allegations were received.

Mr Stevens said the matter was not referred for prosecution on the wishes of the alleged victim, and Mr Burns may not have been aware that a criminal investigation was commenced. He was later reinstated to the rank of inspector.