Alleged reason for PASA Deputy President Wade Burns’ demotion read in parliament

Described as SAPOL’s “worst-kept secret”, details of an alleged indecent assault by union presidential candidate Wade Burns have been shared for the first time in parliament.

Less than a week after it was revealed union presidential candidate Wade Burns dropped down from his senior rank within SA Police, alleged details of the incident that led to his demotion have been shared in state parliament.

Wade Burns, current deputy president of the Police Association of South Australia (PASA), changed rank from chief inspector to senior sergeant after mid-2017.

Mr Burns, the son of former Police Commissioner Gary Burns, had by 2022 progressed to the rank of inspector.

Addressing the floor on Tuesday afternoon, independent MP Frank Pangallo read allegations that Mr Burns indecently assaulted a then-civilian female SAPOL employee at a social function after he was appointed head of an anti-sexual discrimination project spearheaded by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.

He told parliament Mr Burns was not criminally charged over the incident.

“No explanation was given either by SAPOL or Mr Burns for such a major reversion of rank, nor for that matter have I ever heard of any person in a powerful position requesting a significant demotion,” Mr Pangallo said.

Police Association deputy president Wade Burns. Picture: Brenton Edwards

He described the incident, which The Advertiser was previously unable to report under the state’s police secrecy laws, as the force’s “worst-kept secret”.

“In one of his election posts to PASA members Mr Burns says: ‘We all know that one of the greatest demands on the leaders of today is transparency. I have always believed in openness, and I will certainly apply it to the presidency’,” Mr Pangallo said.

“In the interests of the openness and transparency Mr Burns demands, and for PASA’s membership currently deciding who will get their vote, I will summarise the worst-kept secret in SAPOL.”

“In 2017, in a positive initiative driven by the police commissioner, Grant Stevens, Mr Burns, then a chief inspector, was appointed to head Project Equitas, a program designed to combat sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and predatory behaviour in SA Police, following the disturbing findings of a review by the equal opportunity commissioner.

“His team included serving male and female police officers and civilian female staff.

“Following the completion of the project, multiple complaints were lodged with SAPOL’s internal affairs against Mr Burns for egregious behaviour at a social function in a public place for invited Project Equitas and SAPOL members.”

Independent MP Frank Pangallo detailed allegations against Mr Burns in parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

Mr Pangallo told parliament the allegations levelled against Mr Burns included “predatory behaviour” and the alleged indecent assault of a female employee, which was witnessed by several people in attendance at the function.

“It is my understanding that there was a list of agreed facts during the investigation and the demotion to senior sergeant came after Mr Burns pleaded guilty to the agreed facts,” Mr Pangallo said.

“Some time later, Mr Burns appealed his demotion where the police commissioner’s objections on integrity grounds were overruled and he was ordered to promote Mr Burns to the rank of inspector.

“Mr Burns recently sought a further promotion back to chief inspector. However, this was again rejected on integrity grounds, a decision I understand supported by Commissioner Stevens.”

Mr Pangallo questioned Police Minister Dan Cregan as to why Mr Burns was not criminally charged for his conduct or referred to the independent Commissioner Against Corruption.

He also asked whether the minister would request the police commissioner to authorise the release of the full report into the investigation and adverse findings made against Mr Burns.

SA Police declined to comment on the matter.

It comes after a group of fed-up police union members launched an unrelated push to lift a blanket secrecy order that barred them from accessing any information about a case involving high-ranking officials.

Lawyers for former PASA deputy president Samantha Strange will apply to have the suppression order lifted in the matter on Wednesday morning.

When asked for his response to the questions posed by Mr Pangallo, Police Minister Dan Cregan told The Advertiser operational staffing within SA Police was a matter for SA Police. With regard to upcoming Police Association election, Mr Cregan said “the electoral processes for member-based organisations were rightly a matter for the members of that organisation”