Former SA Police assistant commissioner Paul White’s death in a tragic cycling crash sends police community into shock

The death of former top cop Paul White in a cycling crash has devastated his colleagues as they remember him for his extraordinary contribution to policing.

Colleagues of former SA police assistant commissioner Paul White - who was killed in a tragic cycling crash in Adelaide - have remembered him as a “remarkable leader” that was well-respected “right throughout the ranks”.

Mr White, 72, of Glenunga, was riding his bike at the intersection of Portrush Rd and Myrona Ave when he crashed just before 10.25am on Sunday morning.

He died at the scene.

His sudden death has sent shockwaves through police fraternities in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

When Mr White was recruited to the Northern Territory Police from South Australia to become commissioner of the top end in 2001, the commander at the time, Mark McAdie was one of the first to meet him.

“He was a man who had very particular standards and requirements... but I never found any difficulty in meeting those standards,” he said.

“He was a remarkable leader.”

Former SA police assistant commissioner Paul White.

Mr McAdie said he sat in disbelief when he heard the news on Sunday.

“He was in extremely good health for a man his age, so you certainly weren’t expecting to hear that.”

While Mr McAdie was unaware his friend enjoyed cycling, he said he had a passion for tennis and loved to fish.

“He was sometimes known as the ‘no fish commissioner’ because he was more passionate than successful,” Mr McAdie joked.

Former NT colleague John Daulby first met Mr White in the 80s, but became closer friends when he joined the force many years later.

“He was a man who encouraged input from everybody. He had the ability to consume a whole range of material relating to what was happening in the territory,” he said.

“To lose his life tragically in an accident such as this is a kick in the guts.”

Mr Daulby said Mr White positively changed policing in the NT.

Mr White started his career as a cadet at South Australia Police in 1968 and spent most of his career as a detective. He held a number or executive positions as Assistant Commissioner from 1997, with the most prominent being when he was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Crime Service.

In a statement, SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said Mr White would be remembered for his leadership in both policing and across the community.

“Paul’s professionalism and commitment to policing was recognised when he was awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service in 2000,” he said.

“Paul had many close friends amongst current and retired police officers in SAPOL and will be sadly missed.”

Mr Szakacs said he had reached out to Mr Stevens on Monday to extend his condolences.

Police and emergency services at the scene of the crash. Picture: Todd Lewis

“When it comes to grieving loss, people and families grieve in their own way,” he said.

“My personal thoughts and conversations that I’ve had have been around the legacy that he leaves and the extraordinary contribution that he’s made to policing, not just in South Australia, but the Northern Territory as well.”

Major Crash Investigators spent hours canvassing the scene of the crash on Sunday afternoon and a 61-year-old male driver from St Georges has been assisting with the investigation.

His vehicle was towed for examination, but no charges have been laid.

The crash occurred just moments before the first women’s stage of the Tour Down Under got underway on Sunday.

Mr Szakacs was unable to confirm whether it was the first cycling fatality to occur on SA roads while the event was being held in the state.