Parliamentary inquiry launched into SA Police mental health support services and officer morale

Police mental health, morale and the staffing crisis will come under the microscope – as MPs check if we’re doing enough for frontline cops.

A parliamentary committee will probe the mental health support services offered to police officers and explore ways to boost recruiting and morale within the police force.

The Select Committee on Support and Mental Health Services for Police is calling for submissions from the public to explore SA Police’s measures currently in place to support officers and their family.

The committee, established earlier this year, will probe whether SA Police’s Employee Assistance Program and other services offered to serving and forming officers and their families are sufficient and whether an annual psychological review is enough for employees in roles with “higher psychological demand”.

It will also put SA Police’s resourcing and recruiting under the microscope.

Liberal MLC and committee chairwoman Laura Henderson said “more can always be done to check in with those who serve our community and keep it safe”.

A parliamentary committee will probe the mental health support services offered to police officers and explore ways to boost recruiting and morale within the police force. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“I wanted to give the policing community the opportunity to have their voices heard, to check in and make sure that the systems that are in place are still sufficient and keeping up with the needs of our police officers and their families,” Ms Henderson said.

“I’ve got a real appreciation of a lot of the sacrifices that they make in keeping our community safe.

“That also extends not just during their service but also once they finish their service and to their families as well.

“Our frontline workers make many sacrifices and it’s my view that the least we can do is check in every now and then to make sure that the protections and supports around them are still doing what they need to be doing.”

Ms Henderson said it was important the committee also assess the impact of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig’s alleged murder in an incident in the state’s South-East last month.

Sgt Doig will be farewelled at a police funeral at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Monday.

Police Association president Mark Carroll welcomed the committee “into these most important issues”.

“The Police Association has set up a working party between its committee of management and delegates to help prepare its submission and we will be providing a submission to the parliamentary select committee next year,” Mr Carroll said.

SA Police was expected to make a submission to the committee, which will begin its work after the January 26 due date.

“This is purely about checking in and hearing first-hand from those who deal with the system about how it’s working and any feedback that they might have,’ Ms Henderson said.