New police union president Wade Burns addresses members after election win, vowing to address ‘recent events’ in due course

New police union president Wade Burns has sent a message to members following his controversial election to the top job.

New police union president Wade Burns has addressed members following his controversial election to the top job – and vowed he will “in due course” talk about “recent events in connection with my election”.

In a message circulated to union members on Monday, Mr Burns said “it is a great privilege to write to you as the newly elected Police Association president”.

“I was grateful for your feedback, which indicated to me that the leading issue among the membership is the upcoming enterprise agreement,” he said.

“We absolutely have to get that right if we are to get money out of the government and into your pockets.”

New PASA president Wade Burns. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Burns was last week elected president of the Police Association of SA (PASA) by fewer than 50 votes over second-placed candidate Darren Cornell.

His campaign was thrown into turmoil when, 12 days after voting began, MLC Frank Pangallo used parliamentary privilege to reveal allegations of indecent assault against him.

Mr Pangallo said Mr Burns was demoted from chief inspector to senior sergeant in 2017 after it was claimed he assaulted a then-civilian female SA Police employee at a social function.

He was never charged over the incident and was subsequently reinstated to the rank of inspector.

In his message, Mr Burns thanked members who offered feedback – “both positive and negative” – about the vision and pledges outlined in his campaign.

“In due course, I will communicate to you about a variety of matters, including upcoming industrial issues and recent events in connection with my election as president,” he said.

The day after his election, the PASA committee met to consider expulsion of Mr Cornell over his public calls for Mr Burns to end his campaign. The matter was deferred to allow the committee time to consider their positions.

Former PASA president Mark Carroll. Picture: Supplied

Chief Inspector Darren Cornell lost the recent presidential by-election by less than 50 votes. Picture: Supplied

If Mr Cornell is expelled from the union, he will not be eligible to challenge Mr Burns at a general election to be held in March next year.

The presidential by-election was triggered after former president Mark Carroll announced he would resign from the role eight months out from the end of his term.

Mr Burns and PASA, including Mr Carroll, have not responded to repeated requests for comment about the indecent assault allegations.

Premier Peter Malinauskas spoke at a farewell event held for Mr Carroll on Friday night, which was also attended by MPs Stephen Mullighan, Terry Stephens, Laura Henderson, Tammy Franks and Connie Bonaros.

Invitations circulated several weeks in advance said District Court judge Joana Fuller would speak but sources have told The Advertiser the speech did not eventuate.

The union this week published a 12-page tribute to Mr Carroll in its latest Police Journal magazine, which featured messages from Mr Malinauskas and Opposition Leader David Speirs.