Opposition outraged after Labor announces plans to ‘slash’ SA Police numbers in future

Plans to cut full-time SA Police roles in the coming years have angered the opposition – but the government says we shouldn’t be alarmed.

Plans to “slash police numbers” from 2026 amid an existing retention crisis within the force have sparked outrage – but the Police Minister said no frontline police roles will be affected.

On Tuesday, the state government delivered the Mid-Year Budget Review in parliament, which revealed plans to cut SA Police numbers in the near future.

Full-time employee police numbers for 2026 are set for 6191 but in the two following years, 2027 and 2028, numbers will be down to 6171.

Opposition police spokesman Jack Batty told The Advertiser he was outraged by the proposal.

“The Budget Review reveals that Labor actually plan to slash police numbers from 2026,” he said. “We already have a shortfall of nearly 200 police officers and now Labor proposes to have less – not more – cops in the future.”

Shadow Police Minister Jack Batty said he was outraged by the police cut. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Mr Batty said he believed Labor is prioritising their personal political agenda rather than showing genuine concern for the future security of the population and police.

Mr Batty pointed out the government’s announcement to pay another one-off bonus worth $3500 if police stay until 2026 – the year of the next state election – and the fact that number dropped off after that year.

“Labor’s latest pay announcement seems to be about having enough police at election time rather than enough police for the future,” Mr Batty said.

“But as population and demand grows, we need to make sure our frontline police are properly resourced … We need to stop constantly asking police to do more with less.”

However, Police Minister Dan Cregan said that no frontline police roles were cut in the budget papers and only unsworn civilian staff, who were already employed on a temporary basis, would be reduced.

Mr Creagn also said that under Labor’s budget there would be more cops compared to the former government’s plans.

“The FTE numbers in the budget paper reflect a significant increase in SAPOL resourcing than under the former government’s plan, which would have reduced our police workforce by around 200 roles,” Mr Cregan said.

“Frontline policing numbers (under Labor) are increasing and any claims of a cut are incorrect... The full-time employee numbers in the budget paper reflect a significant increase in SA Police resourcing.

“More officers are being sworn in and substantial investments are being made to expand the workforce, including ongoing recruitment of Police Security Officers.”

Police Minister Dan Cregan claims no frontline policing jobs are affected in the cut. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

This comes after The Advertiser first reported on the landmark win for SA Police that will have their salaries increase up to 17.9 per cent within a single year in a bid to combat the exodus of officers.

The pay rise will be delivered in two stages, with a four per cent increase and $2500 retention salary added from January 1 next year. The remaining increases, plus a one-off $3500 payment, will be delivered from the first full pay period after January 1, 2026.

The deal also abolishes the junior cadet rate, delivering a massive 47.4 per cent immediate pay rise to new recruits under the age of 21.