Up to 20 police jobs at the academy may be replaced by civilians

A DRAFT review report into the Fort Largs police academy reveals up to 20 police positions could face civilianisation and several key areas rationalised as part of SAPOL’s 2020 organisational review.

2/3/16 - The latest round of police cadets graduated from the police academy at Taperoo today. Photo Naomi Jellicoe

• Cops, key police stations face the axe, staffed by civilians

UP to 20 police positions at the Fort Largs police academy have been identified as being suitable for “civilianisation”, it can be revealed.

A draft review report, conducted as part of the force’s 2020 organisational reform program, reveals key areas such as recruiting and operational safety training are the most suitable to be overseen by civilians instead of sworn officers, prompting concerns from the police union.

Other key areas including driver training, information and communications training and intelligence training have been identified for “rationalisation” — however the document does not explore how this would occur.

The Advertiser yesterday revealed three other areas of the force — intelligence operations, prisoner management and all police stations — have been reviewed and are all earmarked for civilianisation as part of the reform process.

The police stations review reveals more police stations will be closed, the opening hours of most key stations cut back and civilians will mainly be staffing them.

Police Association president Mark Carroll last night said the department must “come clean’’ about all plans for civilianisation.

“There simply is no mandate for civilianisation on this scale. We believe it is entirely budget driven,’’ he said.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens yesterday reiterated this was not the case and the reform process was “about developing a model that delivers an effective and efficient service for the community of South Australia.”

“There are some savings that come out of that and how those savings are used remains to be seen. This could be directed to other policing priorities,’’ he said.

“I’m driving these changes and these changes would be occurring regardless of any kind of budget saving obligations I have to the Government.’’

The police academy strategies and draft structure paper reveals 20 “high potential positions’’ have been identified as being suitable for civilians, instead of sworn officers, out of 145 positions examined.

“Fundamentally, as many positions can be civilianised as SAPOL wishes, it just means that these positions do not perform a role that requires significant operational knowledge,’’ the paper states.

The paper examines all areas of the academy, police training procedures and recruiting of cadets.

Mr Carroll, meanwhile, has called on the Government to establish a parliamentary inquiry into the police reform model.

The bush is hard to beat for our new police

THE classroom will be replaced by the country for many of the latest round of police graduates.

Fifteen cadets on Wednesday graduated to probationary constables after completing their training at the Fort Largs Police Academy.

GRADUATION DAY: Probationary officer Tyson Schrapel with his girlfriend Rebecca Ward. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Among them was Probationary Constable Tyson Schrapel, whose first posting will be to Port Augusta.

“With the long days spent studying and training to pass written exams and physical testing, this day feels like it has been a long time coming,” he said.

“I am extremely excited and proud of what my course members and I have achieved and what we are going to achieve within the South Australian community.”

Course mate Probationary Constable Sophie Matthews, who has previously served as a volunteer with SA Police, will move to Whyalla for her first posting.

“Getting into a patrol car and being tasked to different jobs seems so exciting and very challenging,” she said.

Probationary officer Nick Collins with son Uriah. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“I am also a huge people person and I want to do whatever I can to help the community.

“It has been a long but rewarding year and I feel ready to put myself out there and be the best police officer I can possibly be.”

Late last year, SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens announced his ambition to recruit an even number of men and women to the force.