SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens reappointed for three more years
SA’s police commissioner has been reappointed after guiding the force through a horrific bushfire season and confronting a pandemic he says presents the toughest challenge of his career.
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South Australia’s top cop Grant Stevens will be reappointed Police Commissioner for another three years as he faces his biggest test in the role.
The Advertiser can reveal Premier Steven Marshall has asked Mr Stevens, who as State Co-ordinator is leading the enforcement of SA’s COVID-19 restrictions, to continue in the position until July 2023.
Mr Marshall said Mr Stevens “has done a tremendous job for our state in very difficult circumstances”.
“He has managed our police force through one of the worst bushfire seasons in South Australia, and now a global pandemic placing great demands on our emergency services,” Mr Marshall said.
“At this time, South Australians need consistency and stability.” Mr Stevens said he was “excited” to continue his work as Police Commissioner.
He said responding to the coronavirus pandemic presented probably his biggest challenge during his five years leading SA Police.
“I don’t think I could think of anything that has presented a bigger challenge, there is no playbook for this,” he said.
“Our health and emergency service partners are all adapting to something never confronted before by any community.
“We have had challenges, such as changing the culture of the organisation in terms of sexual discrimination and restructuring programs, but nothing like this.”
He said once the coronavirus crisis had passed, the ensuing recovery program would continue to be one of SA Police’s priorities.
“When we get through the current period of restrictions, the implications and residual impacts of the things we have had to do to protect vulnerable people will reshape how we are as a community, and reshape the priorities we have as a police service,” he said.
Mr Stevens, 56, replaced Gary Burns as Police Commissioner in July 2015.
A 38-year police veteran, Mr Stevens has initiated a major restructure of SA Police’s operations since becoming Commissioner. He also introduced a landmark 50/50 recruitment policy for men and women, along with new policies to prevent sexual discrimination within the workplace. He said he was looking forward to continuing the reform initiatives underway within SA Police that would ensure community safety and wellbeing was enhanced.
“As an organisation we have achieved a huge amount in the last five years and I still see there are opportunities to continue that work. I am excited about being able to continue to be a part of that.
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“We have already started the strategic planning for what the future looks like for SA Police and how we provide a service to the community into the future.”
He was grateful for the steadfast support of Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams and his executive leadership team over the past five years.
“Having been part of the organisation for most of my working life, I have always been proud of the people who make up SAPOL, and it is still about the people and their commitment,” he said.
