SA Police drops recruitment standards twice in two years, lowering reading, writing, numeracy requirements, new FOI document reveals
New documents show SAPOL has lowered pass marks for reading, writing and numeracy entry tests again – the second standards drop in two years.
SA Police has dropped its recruitment standards twice in two years, with newly released data revealing the force lowered pass marks for reading, writing, and numeracy tests in 2023 after 61 per cent of applicants failed to meet benchmarks.
The Advertiser in June reported SAPOL this year scrapped its spelling and numeracy tests altogether, sparking concerns a lack of those skills could jeopardise criminal court proceedings.
Now new Freedom of Information documents reveal this was the second time in as many years the force’s entry criteria had been scaled back in order to allow those who would previously have been rejected to continue through the recruitment process.
SAPOL has for several years struggled to enlist new officers to keep up with ever-increasing demand.
The documents show pass marks for SAPOL’s reading and writing tests, which were conducted through TAFE SA, were both lowered in 2023 from 70 per cent to 60 per cent, while the numeracy pass mark was reduced from 65 per cent to 60 per cent.
The spelling test requirements remained the same, with a 60 per cent pass mark.
The paper stated the recruitment test was reviewed in 2023 “with the purpose to remove unnecessary barriers for candidates and adopt a fit-for-purpose test to support SAPOL’s recruitment”.
“The adjustment of pass marks in consultation with TAFE SA allowed a greater number of applicants to progress beyond this test,” the document read.
A police spokesperson said the 2023 changes were implemented after more than half of its applicants failed the tests.
“A high rate of applicants – 61 per cent – failed to achieve the pass mark, which demonstrated a need to review the effectiveness of literacy testing,” they said.
The spokesperson said the force was “future-focused in adopting technology to reduce the need for declining skill sets, and chooses to instead focus on the human qualities required of its police”.
“Successful recruit applicants are offered employment as police cadets where they undergo further training and testing at the Academy prior to graduating as probationary constables,” they said.
“The standards at the Police Academy have remained unchanged as every cadet must meet the minimum requirements prior to graduation”.
The spokesperson would not rule out any further adjustments to SAPOL’s entry requirements in the future, saying it was “always in a state of review regarding the standards and competencies required for the role of a police officer”.
“SAPOL has not lowered the standards required of its police officers, however SAPOL will make changes if required to ensure that our recruitment and training processes remain contemporary to attract future police cadets,” they said.
A government spokesperson said the government had “complete confidence in the Police Commissioner and has delivered him an unprecedented boost in resources as he seeks to recruit a record 5000 police officers”.
Opposition police spokesman Jack Batty said the lowering of the entry standards showed “the absolute nightmare SAPOL is facing because of Labor’s failure to properly resource, recruit and retain our police force”.
As The Advertiser previously reported, when SA Police abolished its spelling and numeracy, the South Australian legal fraternity warned inadequate spelling and numeracy skills among officers could jeopardise criminal court cases, potentially resulting in “not guilty” verdicts or dropped charges.
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Originally published as SA Police drops recruitment standards twice in two years, lowering reading, writing, numeracy requirements, new FOI document reveals
