More than 50 applications from overseas police as recruitment ‘ahead of the curve’ amid resourcing crisis

SA Police is a step closer to tackling a crippling resourcing crisis, with dozens of overseas police officers ready to make the move Down Under.

The recruitment of overseas police officers to tackle SA Police’s crippling attrition rate is running ahead of schedule, the state government says, with more than 50 foreign cops so far applying to move to South Australia.

Police Minister Joe Szakacs said about 60 applications from overseas officers had been lodged since the recruitment campaign targeted at experienced police in the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand was launched.

“We’ve had an excellent transition from, in terms of rates, expressions of interest into applications,” Mr Szakacs said.

“These are applications from people who are already police, they’ve got extensive experience in policing.”

More than 50 overseas police officers have applied to join SA Police since a new recruitment campaign was launched. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

Mr Szakacs said the number of applications was “ahead of the curve”, with about 200 overseas officers, largely from the UK, registering for online forums to be held this week.

“We’ve seen hundreds of expressions of interest and about 60 applications already,” Mr Szakacs said.

“These are people with extensive history, extensive experience as police in other jurisdictions.

“They know exactly what it takes to be a cop.”

Mr Szakacs said plans for SA Police’s international recruits to begin their first cadet course mid-year.

SA Police last year announced it would target up to 200 officers with a minimum three years’ experience from the three jurisdictions.

In 2004, former police commissioner Mal Hyde recruited from the UK, with more than 500 officers joining SA Police between then and 2011.

Of those, more than 300 remain in the force, with many rising to senior ranks within SA Police.

Campaign project leader Chief Inspector Scott Collins, who emigrated to South Australia as a UK recruit in 2005, said he had formed a “family within SAPOL”.

“To have been able to work in a welcoming state with fantastic, happy-go-lucky and friendly people has been truly a privilege for me,” he said.

Police Minister Joe Szakacs said SA Police’s overseas recruitment was “ahead of the curve”, with almost 60 applications lodged. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

Chief Insp Collins said although there were times he missed family and friends in the UK, he wouldn’t “doubt for one second” recommending overseas cops to emigrate to South Australia.

“Just speak to anybody who lives out here and I’m sure they’ll share the same message that I do about how good it is here and to make the move,” he said.

Chief Insp Collins said SA Police’s work-life balance was what initially drew him to the state.

“We’ve got fantastic beaches right on our doorstep, a brilliant city where there’s just so much to do,” he said.

“For me it’s just a no-brainer.”

Mr Szakacs said “nothing is off the table” regarding police recruitment but jurisdictions outside of the UK, Ireland and New Zealand were not being considered as a source for officers.