Candidate for police union president Wade Burns’ SA Police rank change

A candidate running for president of South Australia’s police union went from chief inspector to senior sergeant within SA Police – but has not revealed the reason why.

Wade Burns changed rank from chief inspector to senior sergeant after mid-2017. Picture: Brenton Edwards

A candidate for president of South Australia’s police union dropped down from his senior rank within SA Police – but has not revealed the reason why.

Wade Burns, current deputy president of the Police Association of South Australia (PASA), changed rank from chief inspector to senior sergeant after mid-2017.

The matter remains shrouded in secrecy despite Mr Burns telling union members to “satisfy yourself of the integrity of each candidate” and “question our backgrounds”.

Mr Burns, the son of former Police Commissioner Gary Burns, had by 2022 progressed to the rank of inspector.

His rank progression is not included in a detailed list of his policing experience published on his campaign website, though media articles published prior to mid-2017 refer to him as “Chief Inspector Wade Burns”.

Articles published subsequent to that, including by The Advertiser and PASA’s Police Journal, refer to him as “Inspector Wade Burns”.

Wade Burns is running for PASA president. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Outgoing PASA president Mark Carroll. Picture: Supplied

Mr Burns is one of four candidates contesting a by-election to replace current president Mark Carroll, who will retire from the role on July 5 – eight months out from the end of his term.

Speculation about an early election was fuelled earlier this year when Mr Burns published – then quickly removed – his campaign website prior to the announcement that Mr Carroll would retire.

It comes after a difficult few months for the union, which has been locked in a legal battle with former deputy president Samantha Strange over access to a range of documents.

That matter has been subject to a blanket secrecy order made at the request of Mr Carroll, but a group of fed-up members will next week attempt to have the order lifted.

Mr Burns, who is described on the campaign site as “infinitely qualified” for the role of president, has promised to bring transparency to the position.

“I’ve always believed in openness, and I’ll certainly apply it to the presidency,” he said in an email to members.

In a separate open letter circulated this week, he said “I encourage members to question all candidates”.

“Question our backgrounds and our claims and demand that we justify our assertions,” he said.

“Satisfy yourself of the integrity of each candidate and the accuracy of each one’s statements.”

However, when contacted by The Advertiser on Thursday, Mr Burns did not respond to questions about the circumstances of his drop in rank, and whether it has been disclosed to members.

PASA did not respond to inquiries, while SA Police declined to comment.