Google reviewers blast ‘Adelaide’s worst police stations’

Google reviews can be rough at the best of times, but the reviewers offering their thoughts on SA’s police stations have not held back.

Angry and rude staff, dismissive officers and unanswered phone calls are among complaints levelled at Adelaide’s metropolitan police stations over the past 12 months.

Visitors to some of SA’s biggest cop shops have left scathing critiques on Google reviews, claiming terrible service and unhelpful officers are all part of the experience when attending stations across the city.

From SA Police’s CBD headquarters to Christies Beach and Holden Hill Police stations, online reviewers haven’t held back.

Join The Advertiser as we take a closer look at some of the responses from those who’ve dropped-by — or been dropped-in — to the local cop shop and shared their thoughts on Google.

Holden Hill Police Station.

HOLDEN HILL

Located in the northeastern suburbs of Adelaide, Holden Hill Police station was dubbed as the “worst police station in Australia”, by one upset reviewer.

Other Google reviewers claim to have experienced ‘long waiting times’ on occasion and encountered abrasive and impolite officers.

Han, who left a one-star critique, said the officer who served him was “emotional angry without patience in the beginning”. He added: “emotion management course is necessary”.

Another reviewer known as ‘K Aussie’ submitted a complaint after reporting an incident.

“It doesn’t matter what you’re reporting or requiring it will take ten times longer with more aggravation,” K Aussie wrote.

“The attitudes and way these officers deal with the public is a sad inditement.”

But it wasn’t all bad, with reviewer Bec saying one police officer was “lovely” after reporting an online marketplace scam.

“She was so patient, comforting as I was pretty distressed, she made sure my 3yr old daughter was OK by providing her toys & colouring books,” she wrote.

“The male (staffer) should keep his opinions to himself but Emma definitely made the situation better.”

Site photographs of the southern area. Christies Beach Police Station.

CHRISTIES BEACH

The southern metropolitan station has a reputation for “dismissive and rude” officers according to some reviews, who describe staff as unhelpful towards people making a report.

One reviewer expressed her dissatisfaction after she became a victim of domestic violence.

“After 12 months of one sided emails, phone calls, voice messages and messages … not on one occasion have I received correspondence back in regards to my case.”

Reviewer Sophie said in 10 years she has never had one “friendly experience”.

“I have been into other police stations and been treated with respect however, this station …” she wrote on her one-star review.

Ava said she would give the station zero stars if she could.

“They act as if you are insignificant and annoying, and don’t take you seriously. I prefer the other stations,” she said.

SA police stations – Sturt Police Station, 333 Sturt Road Bedford Park.

STURT

Based in the City of Marion local government area, Sturt Police Station attracted a range of disgruntled complaints from the public.

Receiving an overall 2.4 star rating, reviewers expressed their frustration.

“Just a terrible experience all around! If you are close by, go to the Glenelg police station. Far Friendlier and seem to have a far better concept of how to communicate effectively” Tim wrote.

Another reviewer, a man who said he was hearing-impaired, wrote about having to use non-verbal cues, after trying to communicate with an officer who was “plain rude.”

After completing the witness signing, the experience left the man feeling “upset and disappointed”, which made him question if “wearing a badge gives you the right to be so rude?” he wrote.

SA POLICE HEADQUARTERS

Situated in the Adelaide CBD, SA Headquarters attracted a 2.6 Google star rating.

Reviewer Sam wrote of the station: “you need to be a woman and know how to cry and carry on like a 12-year-old girl to get SAPOL to give a rats – have to learn how to throw a hissy fit.”

Traci described the headquarters as a “joke”.

“Broken knee by a stranger with zero assistance. No one attended my residence after multiple calls stating I couldn’t walk!” she wrote.

“Multiple calls over hours and clearly in distress! I was told to attend a police station … I was lame. he broke my kneecap! I can’t walk!!!!!!”

But D Sparks gave the station a glowing five-star review after police officers rescued her dog.

“You were all amazing and wonderfull (sic) and so caring,” D Sparks wrote.

ADV NEWS Hindley Street Police Station Pictures/Russell Millard

HINDLEY STREET

The police station on Adelaide’s main party strip has racked up numerous complaints about unanswered phone calls, with one reviewer claiming to have phoned 10 times without getting through to anyone.

Reviewer Antwerp wrote about being allegedly robbed at knifepoint near the station, then asking the officers to review their CCTV footage for any evidence of the suspect or assault.

“I asked them to check the cameras, and in one second without checking he said, ‘I did, there’s nothing there’, and laughed at me,” Antwerp wrote.

A month ago, a reviewer by the name of Dday365 wrote: “Extremely efficient at raising revenue but when you need them you call 6 times only for the line to ring out …”

SA police stations – Port Adelaide Police Station, 244 St Vincent Street at 2.45am.

PORT ADELAIDE

Located in the northwest of Adelaide, the Port Adelaide Police Complex has a 2.9 Google star rating.

Chantel and Julian shared their experience of reporting a theft.

“Refused to take details of theft and damage, refused to investigate my stolen laptop even though they knew who stole it,” they wrote.

Luan advised other against attending the station.

“They will try their best to ignore/avoid doing any paper works. Most of them don't even know their own protocols or legislation,” Nguyen wrote.

But Joe said the officers at Port Adelaide provided “fantastic service” as part of his five-star review.

“Friendly, listened and my inquire was followed up quickly. I genuinely don’t know why this police station has received such rude and negative comments,” he wrote.

A police spokesman said SAPOL was aware of “some negative comments online” regarding their service.

“All reports of crime or other incidents are taken seriously by police and investigated. If a particular matter is complex or of an unusual nature it may be allocated to specialist investigators,” he said in a statement.

“Anyone who may have concerns with the service they received is encouraged to contact police. SAPOL encourages anyone who has a matter to report that is not urgent via the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or other information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”