‘Arm twisting’: The Police Commissioner reveals the extent he is willing to go to recruit more cops

Grant Stevens has revealed what it really took to get him in front of the cameras to sell his force to potential recruits around the world.

South Australia’s top cop revealed there “was a bit of arm twisting” involved to persuade him in featuring in a comedic video advertisement as part of their efforts to recruit more international, experienced officers.

In a comedic video, the Police Commissioner Grant Stevens stands in front of a prop backdrop featuring a beautiful sunset, with a patrol vehicle.

Mr Stevens makes a short – but sweet – speech, inviting experienced police officers from overseas to apply to South Australia Police.

However, the punchline of the video is at the end video, as the camera zooms out revealing the highest ranked officer to be standing knee-deep in the ocean, wearing his light blue boardshorts.

On Wednesday morning, Mr Stevens revealed he understood he was risking looking like “a fool” in creating this advert.

“There was a bit of arm twisting to get me to stand knee-deep in water in my board shorts,” he told The Advertiser.

“(But) my team assured me that it would go down very well with our UK potential recruits.

“So in the spirit of doing everything we possibly can to encourage people to think about a career with South Australia Police … I decided to take a risk in making a fool out of myself … it wouldn’t be the first time and won’t be the last.”

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens revealed he felt foolish in making the recruitment ad. Picture: Dean Martin

The video comes as part of SA Police efforts to reach their “funded establishment” target staffing levels, which are currently 140 full-time employees short.

Mr Stevens said they are “on track” to achieve their aim of recruiting 200 international or interstate experienced officers.

“It’s a constant challenge to maintain our recruiting numbers locally and we are still working to hit our target of 200 international or interstate recruits,” he said.

“The progress so far has been excellent.

“We are sending our recruiting team back to the UK in May to meet directly with potential applicants and give them as much information as they need to make the decision to move.”

SA Police is targeting officers from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Canada.

Originally published as ‘Arm twisting’: The Police Commissioner reveals the extent he is willing to go to recruit more cops