‘You are under pressure’: Commissioner reveals plans to review controversial policing model

The police commissioner has admitted the current controversial policing model ‘is not sustainable’ – and has called for an external, independent review.

The state’s top cop has revealed plans for an independent review of the controversial District Policing Model, conceding the force can no longer “sit and wait” for additional manpower.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens posted a short video on SA Police’s intranet “CoP’s Blog”, vowing an independent, external review of the model.

“You are under pressure and it’s time to do things differently,” Mr Stevens said in the video. “We have invested time and energy in making the District Policing Model work but as I have said publicly, without an injection of resources to keep up with our ever-increasing demand, it will not deliver what it was designed to do and we must think about its future.

“I know that the current way you are working is not sustainable … you have never worked harder, and demand has never been greater.”

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens revealed plans to review the district policing model. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The District Policing Model – which was introduced between 2018 and 2020 – has been scrutinised almost since inception with many saying it had increased workloads on officers, leading to mass exodus as cops suffered a physical and mental toll.

Additionally, frontline officers reported the model does not allow for proactive policing of various crime types, including minor drug crimes, theft, and property offences, due to a lack of officers available.

In the video, Mr Stevens also pointed to increasing demand to attend domestic and family abuse incidents and conduct mental health and welfare tasks amid a rapidly growing population.

Officers are facing pressure due to increased workload. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.

Mr Stevens said they are currently searching for a “suitably qualified individual” with “appropriate background and experience required to undertake the review”.

“I have decided to bring in an external, independent person to do this work so you can be confident that there is complete objectivity and transparency,” he said.

“The review will focus on how the nature of our demand has impacted on the model, as it

was designed, and what changes can be made within our current resources to maximise the impact for you and the work you do.”

The reviewer will also be asked to consider if the current model should be rolled back.

“There are some opinions that say we should return to our previous operating model,” Mr Stevens said.

“The reality of that is no matter what operating model, it is vulnerable to the same pressures.”

Mr Stevens said he is “committed to this review not taking an extensive amount of time”, promising to provide updates in “the coming weeks”.

Police Association president Wade Burns at the union headquarters. Picture: Supplied

Following the publication of the video, the police union president Wade Burns said the review was overdue, in a letter sent to members.

“Members know that SAPOL should have faced the reality of the District Policing Model a long time ago, and should now be at the stage where resources are going full steam toward the implementation of a new model, along with proper consultation,” Mr Burns wrote.

“The structure of just four metropolitan districts simply doesn’t work.

“We know that it places unreasonable demands on members’ operating capacity.”

Originally published as ‘You are under pressure’: Commissioner reveals plans to review controversial policing model