Transparency, collaboration, change: Detective Senior Sergeant Trevor Rea will run against Wade Burns for president of SA’s police union

A highly regarded veteran detective has thrown his hat in the ring for the top job at South Australia’s police union.

A highly-regarded veteran detective who has nominated for the top job at SA’s police union has promised he would bring transparency, collaboration and cultural change to the organisation.

Detective Senior Sergeant First Class Trevor Rea will run against current president Wade Burns in the upcoming Police Association of South Australia (PASA) general election.

Senior Sergeant Rea, who has worked at SA Police for more than 27 years, is currently the officer in charge at the coronial investigation section, which is attached to the major crime investigation branch.

His campaign for president has been endorsed by the former head of the branch, Detective Superintendent Des Bray, and he has already secured strong support among colleagues.

Senior Sergeant Rea said he hoped to provide PASA members with “an alternative choice who will serve the best interests of our membership”.

“I think my ability to negotiate and work with key stakeholders will be an advantage in the role. I would take pride in making sure we are an inclusive, strong and united association,” he said.

Detective Senior Sergeant First Class Trevor Rea will run against current president Wade Burns in the upcoming Police Association of South Australia (PASA) general election. Picture: Supplied

Wade Burns, newly elected deputy president of the Police Association, January 27, 2022. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“It’s about repairing relationships and rebuilding connections with SAPOL to get the best outcomes for members.

“We need to have a positive relationship while also being realistic – there are issues within the workplace that need to be addressed and I’m ready to address them.”

He said priorities for members would be remuneration, which is “always going to be front and centre”, but also addressing the “workplace stresses” that police are experiencing.

Senior Sergeant Rea said retention and recruitment were also key issues, and he would focus on how to improve morale and the longevity of policing careers.

“You can get paid the best money in the world, but if you don’t enjoy your job, it becomes very hard.”

A former women’s footy coach who also has extensive experience in the area of suicide prevention, he added that there are “ a lot of disillusioned members out there that are considering withdrawing from PASA”.

“That will be one of the challenges for the president, to try and turn those people around,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Rea pictured updating the media on an investigation in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke

All elected positions will be vacated at the upcoming general poll, with voting due to open on February 13 and close on March 20.

Christopher Walkley will run against Daryl Munday for the role of deputy president, while Bryan Whitehorn, Paulene Porter and Zacary Cook have all nominated for vice president.

Current union secretary Bernadette Zimmermann, who has been on leave for several months, will not recontest the role. Those vying to replace her are Brendon Beh, Anthony Coad, Michael Kent and Peter Williams.

Sergeant Williams, who is supporting Senior Sergeant Rea in the contest for president, said “it’s time members have a choice for real change”.

“We need to return the union back to being a membership-based organisation. Members have the right to be heard and at the moment that’s not happening,” he said.

“The current leadership made a commitment to greater transparency but, since the election, we’ve seen no improvement.

“Members still aren’t told what’s going on, aren’t consulted on decisions and don’t know details about what their money is being spent on.”

Originally published as Transparency, collaboration, change: Detective Senior Sergeant Trevor Rea will run against Wade Burns for president of SA’s police union