Survey reveals mass SA Police exodus as officers are overstretched to keep state safe

Police officers have revealed the disgraceful state of the force, claiming they are unable to provide public safety or properly investigate crime.

Hundreds of SA Police officers are ready to quit their jobs over “disgraceful” conditions, feeling they can no longer keep the community safe, according to findings in a new survey.

A major survey commissioned by the Police Association of South Australia asked almost a third of their members – totalling at 4,610 – to compare the current model of SA Police to their operations 10-years-ago.

The damning survey found most officers believed they didn’t have the resources or staff required to provide public safety, their response times have worsened, and proactive policing has disappeared from the job.

Almost three-quarters surveyed (68 per cent) said community safety is worse now than a decade ago, with many pointing to the controversial District Policing Model as the reason for their failure.

And nearly half (47 per cent) of respondents said they “never” or “rarely” have enough time to investigate crime while only 2 per cent say they “always” have time.

Serving police officers have raised concern over their ability to keep communities safe and investigate crime properly. Picture: NewsWire/Dean Martin

A common consensus among the surveyed is concern over the “disconnect” between SAPOL management and the officers.

“Workload is high. Managers do not care about its content or the complexity involved. The list MUST be reduced as the priority. You are punished and/or disadvantaged if you do not operate in this way,” one officer said.

“Managers are measured on the list numbers. Not outcomes.”

Another wrote: “I believe SAPOL is more interested in optics than reality. So long as it looks like we’re doing the right thing, and doing our ‘job’, it doesn’t matter if we actually are.”

Survey results reveal experienced officers want out of SAPOL. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

As a result of SAPOL’s compounding problems, officers said their work has “fostered selfishness” and “bred low morale”.

Subsequently, half of the respondents said they are unlikely or unsure if they will stay on the job for another three years. This decision was most common among experienced officers with 11-20 years of service.

One officer, who has worked for SAPOL for 14 years, said they are “actively looking” for employment elsewhere.

“I think SAPOL places too much emphasis on recruiting rather than retention,” they said.

“The oversight and criticism by those sitting behind a desk is almost suffocating at times.”

Another said they wouldn’t allow a loved one to become an officer.

“The work is constant and the pressure is high. Exposed to constant trauma with little more than token support,” they said. “I wouldn’t wish that on my friends. I would never allow family to become police.”

A SA Police spokeswoman said the state’s rapid population growth, increased demand on police services, and a rise in some crime categories had impacted productivity of currently serving officers.

Additionally, the spokeswoman said they have “a significant focus” on retaining experienced officers but find their officers are “highly sought after by other industries”.

Shadow Police Minister Jack Batty is calling to develop a retention plan. Picture: Morgan Sette

Police Minister Stephen Mullighan said the government has made major investments into SA Police. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Shadow Police Minister Jack Batty said the government needed to develop a retention plan.

“For every new cadet recruited through the front door, it seems we’re losing two experienced officers out the back,” he said. “That’s having a real impact on community safety.

“The Liberal Party is calling for a dedicated retention strategy, a fast-tracked review of the District Policing Model, and stronger mental health support for our officers.”

Meanwhile, Police Minister Stephen Mullighan said he had not seen the police union survey, instead he thanked “the men and women of SA Police for the extraordinary work they do protecting South Australians”.

When asked about retaining police officers, Mr Mullighan pointed to their major investment into the force.

“The Malinauskas Labor Government is providing record funding to SA Police for more personnel, better facilities and new equipment, so they are better resourced to perform their duties,” he said.

“The budget provides $172 million to recruit more officers with the aim to reach a record 5,000 sworn officers over the next six years.”

Originally published as Survey reveals mass SA Police exodus as officers are overstretched to keep state safe