SA Police gets $23m to hire 114 more protective security officers to guard Covid-19 medi-hotels
SA Police has been given $23m to hire more protective security officers to guard medi-hotels, helping alleviate chronic frontline police shortages.
Police & Courts
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Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has been given funding to hire an extra 114 protective security officers, enabling officers guarding Covid-19 medi-hotels to get back on the beat.
Premier Steven Marshall has revealed more than $23m will be provided to fund the extra 114 officers and retain the 54 already hired temporarily.
The move comes just over a fortnight after the Police Association and Mr Stevens both independently urgently requested that extra protective security officers (PSOs) be hired to relieve chronic manpower shortages brought about by the pandemic.
More than 400 police officers are used daily to keep watch over the state’s five quarantine and medi-hotel facilities, resulting in serious staff shortages in many frontline areas.
Mr Marshall said on Thursday the upcoming state budget would invest $23.6 million to extend the employment of the 54 PSOs employed this financial year and recruit and train an additional 114 – $15.2m next financial year and a further $8.4m in 2022-23.
“Adding 114 extra PSOs to the ranks is a huge addition to SAPOL’s Covid-19 operations,” he said.
“This is a resourcing boost for SAPOL increasing frontline capacity in the fight against Covid-19.
“Community safety has never been compromised and this move ensures South Australians remain protected from crime and Covid-19.”
Police Association president Mark Carroll on Thursday cautiously welcomed the announcement, but warned the union’s campaign for more resources may still continue.
“We recently increased the pressure on the premier to take action on this issue, but the reality is that we have been urging the government since last July that front-line resources were severely stretched,’’ he said.
“They have now responded — for the good of both the community and the SA police force.
“We still, however, hold concerns about a lack of front-line resourcing in regional areas. We will continue to monitor all front-line shortages and, if necessary, will not hesitate to extend our campaign for additional PSOs if needed. “
Mr Carroll last month called for an extra 200 PSOs to be hired, warning that community safety was at risk because of frontline shortages.
The police union lodged a formal dispute notice with SA Police over severe shortages in the southern districts and meetings have been held over the ongoing problem.
“Our members are saying there is such a shortage on some shifts that if they called for emergency assistance there would not be any,” Mr Carroll told The Advertiser last month.
His words were echoed by Mr Stevens, who told The Advertiser SAPOL’s current response was unsustainable and revealed he was having discussions with the government about returning police officers “back to core duties”.
In Mr Stevens’ request to the government for extra PSOs last month, he warned that many types of criminal investigations had been suspended because of SAPOL’s Covid-19 commitments.
Mr Stevens said on Thursday the government response was a “positive pathway’’ that would lead to better outcomes for South Australians.
“The availability of 168 additional PSOs will dramatically strengthen SAPOL’s ongoing Covid-19 response, keeping the community safe,’’ he said.
“I am very pleased that with Government support we can now recruit a further 114 PSOs, and maintain 54 existing PSOs, to bring that to a total of 168 overall,” he said.
“SAPOL’s ability to deliver services to the community will be substantially strengthened by these new PSO positions.
“It has been a challenge for SAPOL maintaining a significant resource commitment to COVID-19, but this initiative will ensure more police are available to respond to reports of crime and calls for police assistance.”
Police Minister Vincent Tarzia said the extra PSOs would be deployed to medi-hotels and undertake a range of other Covid-19 duties, while police officers would continue to oversee all activities.
“Our dedicated officers have gone above and beyond in their response to Covid-19 and the Marshall Government will continue forging South Australia’s strong and safe passage from this pandemic,’’ he said.
“Our Budget for a stronger South Australia is creating jobs, building what matters and delivering better services to further secure our state’s growing global reputation as one of the safest and most attractive places in the world to live, work and raise a family.”
Along with temporary funding for the 54 PSOs this financial year, the government also funded the hiring of an extra 72 police cadets – many of whom have already graduated and are on the streets. The remainder will graduate by January.
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