Gepps Cross police barracks plan spurs threats to quit force
Relocating SA Police’s mounted unit to the north could spur on drastic decisions from the ranks, the government’s been warned.
Police & Courts
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More than half of SA Police’s mounted operations unit are threatening to quit if the state government moves their barracks outside the city, according to the state opposition.
Opposition police spokesman Sam Telfer said after speaking to mounted officers privately, more than half the unit indicated they will request a transfer if the move from Thebarton to Gepps Cross goes ahead, citing concerns about the unit’s effectiveness.
SA Police said mounted officers could face delays of up to 50 minutes in responding to incidents in the Adelaide CBD.
“We’re hearing from officers throughout the mounted division, a majority of which live in the southern suburbs or in the Adelaide Hills, that the extra commute … will cause that much dissension that they are actually reconsidering their positions in the mounted unit,” Mr Telfer said.
“We know officers in the mounted police unit are concerned community safety will be compromised if the barracks are moved to Gepps Cross.”
Earlier this year, the state government announced the Thebarton police barracks, where the mounted unit is currently housed, would be demolished to make room for the new $3.2 billion Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
In August, the government back tracked on the original parklands site for the new barracks after backlash from conservation and heritage groups.
The Gepps Cross site was chosen from a possible 14 locations across the city with a final relocation cost of at least $90 million.
Mr Telfer called on the government to publicly disclose the names of the other sites.
“We know there were 14 other sites considered – including brownfield sites which we would potentially support if we had more detailed information – so those options need to be released publicly by Labor and reinvestigated.”
A Police Association spokesman declined to comment on Monday.
Last month, Police Association president Mark Carroll wrote to Premier Peter Malinauskas on behalf of affected officers to voice their concerns.
Mr Carroll previously told The Advertiser “time was running out’’ to find a suitable alternative.
“Both (the horse and dog units) are vital SAPOL assets which will not have the same operational capacity if they are located at Gepps Cross,” Mr Carroll said.
“This, and several other factors, make the proposal ill-considered and not in the best interests of operational members nor the SA community’’.
Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the Gepps Cross project would be “the most modern stables in the country”.“Gepps Cross will meet the needs of police for decades to come.
“This change will result in not only improved facilities for police, but a brand new Women’s and Children’s Hospital,” he said.
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