Police Commissioner Grant Stevens responds to bombshell parliament claims over top cop Wade Burns

Wade Burns says his bid to head one of the state’s most powerful unions won’t be slowed, as more bombshell allegations are aired in parliament.

• Senior cop claim exposed in parliament

Police union deputy Wade Burns has defiantly declared his campaign for president will continue after more bombshell claims were made in parliament about an alleged indecent assault.

Mr Burns labelled the allegations “factually incorrect” and said he believed they were part of an effort to undermine his campaign.

On Tuesday, Independent MP Frank Pangallo dropped claims under parliamentary privilege that Mr Burns had assaulted a female colleague at a social function in 2017 — leading to a drop in rank from chief inspector to senior sergeant following an internal investigation.

But, in a memo to all Police Association members on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Burns said “what was said — under parliamentary privilege — was factually incorrect”.

“Without parliamentary privilege, the disclosure of this information is in direct contravention of the Police Complaints and Discipline Act.”

Mr Burns did not specify which aspects of the claims were incorrect, but acknowledged that he had successfully challenged SA Police in the Police Review Tribunal.

He said the investigation “was not, nor was it ever, a criminal matter”.

Mr Burns sent an email memo to Police Association members after claims were aired in parliament. Picture: Supplied

Mr Pangallo did not claim Mr Burns — the son of former police commissioner Gary Burns — had been criminally charged.

The current Police Association deputy, who had been considered a frontrunner in the upcoming election for president of the powerful union, said the claims had been weaponised to coincide with the vote.

“It is ... very clear that parliamentary privilege was used on behalf of others with a political agenda regarding the election outcome,” Mr Burns said.

“No matter who we vote for, most of us agree that our leaders should represent us all. Members, rightly, demand a president with the courage to withstand attacks.

“My campaign will continue with respect and statesmanship.”

Under Mr Burns’ email sign off, he describes himself as “best qualified for president of the association”.

In parliament on Wednesday afternoon, former Today Tonight journalist Mr Pangallo aired more details about Mr Burns’ alleged conduct, urging the full investigation into the serving officer to be made public.

Mr Pangallo claimed Mr Burns’ alleged offending “included a degree of force” and was witnessed by several people in attendance at the function.

Wade Burns was elected deputy president of the Police Association in 2022. Picture: Brenton Edwards

He told parliament the incident occurred after Mr Burns was “ironically” appointed head of Project Equitas, a taskforce spearheaded by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens to stamp out sexual harassment and discrimination within the force.

“Despite an objection by Police Commissioner Stevens on integrity grounds, Mr Burns was promoted to inspector on July 6, 2020 after an order of the Police Review Tribunal on June 16, 2020. The reason behind that decision remains a secret,” Mr Pangallo said.

“Mr Burns recently sought further promotion to chief inspector, but that was rejected on integrity grounds and hasn’t been appealed.”

He directed further questions to Premier Peter Malinauskas about Mr Burns’ alleged conduct, asking whether the premier believed his position as union deputy was tenable, given the allegations aired in parliament.

“Will (the premier) and his government still be able to continue to work with Mr Burns in light of the allegations ... which have not been denied, should he be elected as president of PASA when voting concludes?” Mr Pangallo said.

Independent MP Frank Pangallo aired claims in parliament that Mr Burns had allegedly indecently assaulted a female colleague at a function in 2017. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

Following inquiries by The Advertiser, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens acknowledged Mr Pangallo’s questions but declined to comment further on the matter, saying a detailed briefing would be provided for the minister to respond to the issues raised.

When questioned over whether the allegations raised concerns over the state’s police secrecy rules, Mr Malinauskas said he would “not comment on a union election that is underway”.

“PASA is an important organisation, one that I think has done a pretty good job over the decades representing the interests of police,” he said.

Mr Burns is also chair of the Basketball South Australia Commission and the board of Woodcroft College at Morphett Vale.

Woodcroft principal Shannon Warren said “as principal I am responsible for the day-to-day operation of the college, and the board for governance matters”.

“I have referred the matters raised with me this morning to the Woodcroft College Board,” she said.

Ms Warren did not answer questions about whether the allegations had been previously disclosed to Woodcroft College.

She also did not say whether she stands by an endorsement she provided for Mr Burns’ campaign for president, which appears on his website.

Basketball SA did not respond to inquiries from The Advertiser before deadline. Chief executive Tim Brenton also provided a personal endorsement for Mr Burns’ campaign.

Mr Burns has been contacted multiple times for comment.