Police Commissioner Grant Stevens reveals criminal investigation launched into Wade Burns

The police commissioner has used his powers to set the record straight, revealing previously secret details about a cop union candidate’s misconduct.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has revealed a criminal investigation was launched into Police Association presidential candidate Wade Burns after indecent assault allegations were levelled against him in 2017, but charges were not pursued at the wishes of his alleged victim.

In a statement released on Friday, Mr Stevens set the record straight after Mr Burns claimed there were “factual inaccuracies” in bombshell allegations aired in parliament earlier this week.

Mr Pangallo on Tuesday told parliament Mr Burns, the son of former police commissioner Gary Burns, was demoted from chief inspector to senior sergeant in 2017 after it was claimed he indecently assaulted a then-civilian female SA Police employee at a social function.

He said Mr Burns pleaded guilty to a list of agreed facts during an internal workplace investigation but was never criminally charged, and was later reinstated to the rank of inspector despite the objections of Mr Stevens.

Police Association deputy president Wade Burns was subject to an internal SA Police investigation after an alleged incident in 2017. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Burns, currently the Police Association’s deputy president, was considered the frontrunner to replace outgoing boss Mark Carroll for the powerful union’s upcoming presidential election.

In a message circulated to union members on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Burns declared his campaign would continue and that “what was said – under parliamentary privilege – was factually incorrect”.

Under the state’s police secrecy laws, details of conduct investigations into service officers must remain confidential unless their release is authorised by the police commissioner or ICAC.

In a statement released on Friday, Mr Stevens said he was satisfied the matter was of public interest and was “obliged to correct the public record”.

Mr Stevens revealed that, despite Mr Burns telling members in a memo circulated amongst the Police Association on June 19 that his misconduct “was not, nor was it ever, a criminal matter”, SAPOL’s Internal Investigation Section did commence a criminal investigation after allegations were received.

He said Mr Burns may not have been aware that a criminal investigation was commenced.

“Following the criminal investigation, after considering all relevant factors including, importantly, the wishes of the alleged victim, the matter was not referred for prosecution. Subsequently, a misconduct investigation was undertaken,” he said.

“There is no suggestion that Inspector Burns has dishonestly made the statement reported by The Advertiser on 20 June 2024.”

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said an investigation was launched into Mr Burns’ conduct, but was not referred for prosecution under the wishes of his alleged victim. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

In parliament, Mr Pangallo had claimed that Mr Burns was appointed to head Project Equitas — a program designed to combat sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and predatory behaviour within SA Police — before the alleged incident.

Mr Stevens said Mr Burns “never held a position within Project Equitas”.

Mr Pangallo also stated “Mr Burns appealed his demotion where the Police Commissioner’s objections on integrity grounds were overruled, and he was ordered to promote Mr Burns to the rank of inspector.”

“Inspector Burns did not institute an appeal on grounds of his demotion,” Mr Stevens said.

“In 2020, (then) Senior Sergeant Burns lodged a Police Review Tribunal appeal, challenging a decision by a SAPOL Selection Advisory Committee not to promote him to the rank of Inspector.

“He was successful in his appeal and the tribunal ordered SAPOL to promote him to the rank of Inspector.”

The Advertiser on Thursday asked Mr Burns a series of questions, including which part of Mr Pangallo’s statements were “factually incorrect” and whether he would ask Mr Stevens to authorise publication of the investigation and findings.

Mr Burns has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Mr Pangallo has now called for the police commissioner to “go further” and release details of the agreed facts of the 2017 internal investigation, to which Mr Burns had “pleaded guilty”.

“Full disclosure in this matter is in the public interest,” Mr Pangallo said.

Originally published as Police Commissioner Grant Stevens reveals criminal investigation launched into Wade Burns