Detective Brevet Sergeant Leonie Schulz, Chief Inspector Darren Cornell and Inspector Kevin Lawton launch police union presidency campaigns

A four-way contest is underway for the police union’s top job after three senior officers made-last minute tilts at the presidency.

A cyber crime detective, a former STAR Group officer and an experienced inspector have emerged as last-minute candidates for the police union’s presidency, triggering a four-way race for the top job.

Detective Brevet Sergeant Leonie Schulz, Chief Inspector Darren Cornell and Inspector Kevin Lawton announced on Thursday they would run for the Police Association of South Australia presidency against deputy president Inspector Wade Burns.

Nominations for the presidency closed on Thursday night ahead of ballots opening on June 6 and long-serving union boss Mark Carroll’s retirement on July 5 after more than 16 years in the job.

Inspector Burns, the son of former police commissioner Gary Burns, was expected to be elected unopposed until the other candidates’ late nominations, but is regarded as the favourite to win after serving as Mr Carroll’s deputy since 2022.

Wade Burns has been the Police Association of South Australia’s deputy president since 2022. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Inspector Burns was SA Police’s chief industrial negotiator before joining PASA and has been heavily involved in current enterprise bargaining agreement talks, which will continue after Mr Carroll’s retirement.

He is currently the duty officer of the Metropolitan Operations Service’s Western District, where he manages frontline policing operations on all shifts from Port Adelaide to the state’s south coast and is regarded as one of the force’s brightest emerging leaders.

“I care deeply about the Police Association and its members,” Inspector Burns said.

“I’ve been a police officer for nearly three decades, and in that time, I’ve deployed a lot of valuable skills that I know can benefit all members – especially now that we’re at a critical point in an enterprise bargaining negotiation.

Detective Brevet Sergeant Leonie Schulz would be the first female Police Association of South Australia president if elected. Picture: Supplied

Chief Inspector Darren Cornell is running for Police Association of South Australia president against Wade Burns. Picture: Supplied

“I’m inspired to stand for the presidency because of the regard I have for police officers and our occupation, and the absolute need for us to have powerful, influential representation.”

Sergeant Schulz, a detective in the Financial Cybercrime Investigation Branch and PASA committee of management member, would be the union’s first female president if elected.

Sergeant Schulz said she would push for greater pay rises as part of current enterprise bargaining talks and advocate for country officers, female PASA members and retired officers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

“I am a mother of three young children and understand family issues and the need for all members of PASA to have the ability of flexible working and the huge challenge this has for serving police officers trying to balance their lives and serving the community,” she said.

Police Association of South Australia president Mark Carroll will retire on July 5 after more than 16 years in the top job. Picture: Supplied

Chief Inspector Kevin Lawton was last year appointed director of the Police Credit Union’s board. Picture: Supplied

“I come from the rank and file, like previous presidents have, and I understand the pressures and sacrifices my fellow police colleagues endure every shift.”

Inspector Lawton has held multiple roles in his 38 years as a police officer including in the State Crime Prevention Branch, State Intelligence Branch and Forensic Services Branch and has worked as a police prosecutor.

He was elected director of the Police Credit Union board last year and was PASA’s Metro North branch president in the late 1990s when he successfully advocated for night shift loading to be increased from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.

“This would be an ideal opportunity for me to put my considerable experience, both within SAPOL and in the board environment, to good use for the membership,” he said.

“I see PASA at a time where it is in need of good, strong and accountable leadership.”

Inspector Cornell, a former STAR Group officer, is hanging his campaign for the top job on “change, transparency and a new approach” within the union.

Inspector Cornell has promised to change the union’s constitution to allow fee-paying members the ability to inspect PASA’s accounts and financial records and to freeze membership fees.

“It’s my number one priority: transparency of the Police Association,” he said.

He has promised to prioritise the recruitment and retention of frontline police officers and establish a biannual women’s forum to “ensure the views of all female members are able to be heard”.

“It’s just a point of difference and a foundation for a new framework within the Police Association.

Voting will close at 10am on July 4, with the new president taking the reins from Mr Carroll the following day.