‘Factional-led autocracy’: Ugly war among police union amid elections

A bitter war has broken out between candidates vying for the top positions of South Australia’s police union – with serious allegations against their current president.

A leaked email has sparked a bitter war of words ahead of the police union elections.

A bitter war for the police union’s top jobs has become heated after one officer accused the current leadership of being a “factional-led autocracy” serving its interests rather than those of members.

Christopher Walkley – who is vying for the role of Police Association deputy president – has sent an email to members urging them to vote against the present executives, labelling them “The Click” (sic).

According to Mr Walkley, the group included president Wade Burns and deputy Daryl Mundy, among others.

A leaked email sent by Christopher Walkley labels the current police union leadership as 'The Click'. Picture: Supplied

Police Association president Wade Burns at the union headquarters has been accused of being at the head of “The Click”. Picture: Supplied

In the leaked email, Mr Walkley said he was “opposed to the actions taken and supported by ‘The Click’”, which include expelling members who spoke out against the leadership.

Chief Inspector Darren Cornell, Sergeant Joe McDonald and Senior Constable Kerry Rouse were expelled after they called for the removal of Mr Burns during last year’s election campaign.

Mr Walkley wrote that he had tried to get the Police Association delegates to rescind the three expulsions, as well as get them legal protection and Group Life Coverage.

Chief Inspector Cornell is a cancer survivor and, in the unfortunate possibility of a cancer relapse, he would be left without life insurance.

In the email, Mr Walkley claimed he had been “derided and criticised” by the union leadership during that process.

He also accused “The Click” of using member funds to sue other members and to deny the members access to union documents through legal means.

Chief Inspector Darren Cornell was one of the officers expelled after calling for the removal of Wade Burns during last year’s election. Picture: Supplied

The Advertiser approached the association for comment and received an email response attributed to Mr Mundy, who is running for re-election against Mr Walkley.

Mr Mundy said the allegations were fabricated to undermine his campaign efforts.

“These attacks – which are a sad reflection on those behind them – are getting increasingly desperate,” Mr Mundy said.

“I don’t intend to give them any oxygen, except to say they are patently untrue and certainly an attempt to manipulate the Police Association elections.

“It’s disappointing that Chris Walkley … has chosen to resort to these relentless smear campaigns, rather than focusing on what industrial expertise and enterprise bargaining experience he can actually offer members.”

Mr Mundy said he would remain focused on delivering “what’s in the best interests of members”.

In the email, Mr Walkley said his criticism was solely based on the action of the leadership.

“(Their) actions appear to be aimed at protecting the interests of ‘The Click,’ both past and present, rather than serving the broader membership of PASA,” he wrote.

“Most members of ‘The Click’ are individually good, even great, people, but the actions of their collective are unacceptable … this is not a criticism of the people, rather of their collective policies and decisions.”

The Advertiser contacted Mr Walkley for comment.

Originally published as ‘Factional-led autocracy’: Ugly war among police union amid elections