Task force formed to probe police numbers, recruiting and roles

A top-level task force will identify how many extra police need to be hired in SA and exactly what their roles will be over the next decade.

A 12-member task force has been formed to determine how many additional police need to be recruited over the next decade and what traditional roles can be handed to non-sworn officers to help alleviate the resourcing crisis.

The Premier’s Task Force will also assess SA Police’s understaffed district policing model, its current recruiting policies and identify the long-term cost of hiring the extra resources that it will likely recommend to cabinet by November.

President of the Police Association of South Australia Mark Carroll. Picture: Supplied

The task force includes Premier’s Department chief executive Damien Walker, Police Minister Joe Szakacs, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, Police Association president Mark Carroll, deputy president Wade Burns, assistant secretary Steve Whetton, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri and SA Police’s senior human resources and business services directors and officers.

Mr Carroll said many areas to be examined by the task force were “long overdue for review and reconsideration’’.

“The union has been calling for a comprehensive review of the district policing model for some time because it is not functioning,’’ he said.

“Our members will be pleased to see it is being assessed to determine just how many extra police are needed to properly staff the model.

“But we are also pleased that the requirement for recruiting to keep pace with population growth and the failure of SA Police to implement proper recruiting strategies over the past 18 months will also be examined.

“We are confident the work of the task force will see an increase in police numbers that will ensure not just the welfare of our members but community safety over the next decade.’’

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and (right) Minister for Police Joe Szakacs. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tricia Watkinson

Mr Stevens welcomed the formation of the task force.

“The task force provides an opportunity to take an objective assessment of what a sustainable model looks like to ensure an effective police service for the next 10 to 15 years,’’ he said.

“SA Police has already been doing some work looking at the impact of population growth and expansion and some of the complexities that impact police and demand from the community.’’

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the task force delivered on his “commitment to police and community safety.’’

“As the city, regions and state, as a whole, grow and develop, we must actively discuss and consider future policing goals and strategies,’’ he said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas at a press conference with Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Police Minister Joe Szakacs said the task force would facilitate “SA Police, (the union) and our government to have fruitful and constructive discussions about policing needs’’ that will provide positive outcomes.

“The task force reiterates the Malinauskas government’s strong and continued support of our hardworking police and protective security officers, who dedicate themselves to keep us safe,’’ he said.

Originally published as Task force formed to probe police numbers, recruiting and roles