SA Police launches investigation into allegations police union staff were bullied by “boys’ club” of senior officials

SA Police has moved quickly to launch an investigation into shocking claims that serving officers and police union staff were bullied by senior union officials.

SA Police has launched a probe into shocking claims that serving officers and police union staff were regularly bullied and belittled by a “boys’ club” of senior union officials.

Upper House MP Frank Pangallo this week told parliament female union staff were labelled “old, fat and ugly”, female members were called “menopausal and histrionic” and “silly cows”, and some members suffering PTSD were referred to as “broken biscuits”.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens confirmed on Thursday that an investigation had been launched.

“The comments made in parliament by Upper House MP Frank Pangallo regarding alleged conduct of persons associated with the Police Association of SA are being treated as a complaint and investigated as a conduct inquiry under the Police Complaints and Discipline Act,” he said.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said all employees have a right to a workplace free from bullying, harassment and discrimination. Picture: Dean Martin

“This investigation is in its infancy, and I do not intend to make any comment regarding the alleged conduct.”

Mr Stevens said all employees had a right to a workplace free from bullying, harassment and discrimination.

“Anyone using the type of language referred to by Mr Pangallo has no place in any modern workplace. Communications in a workplace should be open and civil,” he said.

“Furthermore, there is no place for behaviour or language that demonstrates a lack of respect, compassion and empathy for any worker experiencing a psychological injury.”

In parliament on Wednesday, Mr Pangallo said three female former members had lodged complaints against the union in the Fair Work Commission but endured “enormous fear and intimidation in the process of trying to get a fair hearing”.

One of the three was Kim York, the widow of a police officer who died by suicide, who said all of the administrative staff in the office had to witness secretary Bernadette Zimmermann – the sister of former president Mark Carroll – being constantly bullied.

In a statement read by Mr Pangallo, Ms York recalled an incident when she took a call from a member suffering from PTSD but assistant secretary Steven Whetton refused to speak with them.

“Steve responded he didn’t want to speak to that ‘f---wit’, that the caller was a ‘broken biscuit’ and a ‘time waster’,” the statement said.

Parliament was told that on an occasion in December 2022, the wife of a distressed member called while Mr Carroll, Mr Whetton and a third person were out for a Christmas lunch.

Independent MP Frank Pangallo revealed the allegations under parliamentary privilege on Wednesday.

Ms York was told the woman “had no right to call the association as she wasn’t a member and that they had just opened another bottle of red”.

She also said Mr Carroll and Mr Whetton had described admin staff as “old, fat and ugly”, and that union members were spoken about “extremely badly” on a daily basis.

Mr Carroll has said he denies the “false” allegations entirely. Mr Whetton is yet to address them publicly.

Union deputy president Daryl Mundy said the union was a “safe workplace” that “values and supports its employees”.

“Under the cover of parliamentary privilege, untested allegations from last year and earlier have been made,” he said.

“The association has addressed all issues appropriately, including grievances.

Union secretary Bernadette Zimmermann. Picture: Mike Burton

“The association is fully focused on its core business, including delivering on a new enterprise agreement for members.”

Mr Mundy’s statement walked back a memo he sent to members last month which said the former staff members who lodged Fair Work complaints “withdrew them after the veracity of the complaints was tested”.

Ms Zimmermann is understood to be on an extended period of leave from the union.

Some union officials have been granted special leave from SA Police to perform their roles, while others remain in duty.

Police Minister Dan Cregan said he has been advised by SA Police that an investigation is in its early stages.

“To avoid prejudicing that investigation I await any further advice as may be appropriate on the outcomes of that inquiry,” he said.

“The welfare of all police officers remains a priority for the government.”