Major changes come into effect, ceasing of traffic fine ‘benchmarks’ after SA’s top cop calls to ‘do things differently’
There’ll be no more “traffic benchmarks” for South Australian drivers after a major review into the state’s policing model.
SA Police has implemented major changes to its policing model, effective immediately, including the ceasing of traffic fine “benchmarks”.
While SA Police has long denied it has quotas for fines, each policing district and region had “traffic benchmarks” which, under the new changes, will become a “performance framework focused on outcomes”.
Other significant changes to the policing model include enhanced face-to-face training for Sergeants and Senior Sergeants, and the introduction of a 24/7 District Duty Inspector to “support frontline decision making”.
The changes to the District Policing Model — which was introduced between 2018 and 2020 — come following an independent review, spurred by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens conceding the force can no longer “sit and wait” for additional manpower.
“You are under pressure and it’s time to do things differently,” Mr Stevens said in a video released onto the SA Police intranet in April.
“I know that the current way you are working is not sustainable … you have never worked harder, and demand has never been greater.”
More than 900 members of SA Police across its four metropolitan districts were engaged during the review, undertaken by former senior police executive in New Zealand Police Mark Evans, of BDO, Mr Stevens said on Tuesday.
“The clear feedback shows just how deeply our people care about the organisation, their work and the community they serve,” the Police Commissioner said.
“The review was designed to be a catalyst for improvement, and will build on the already significant programs of work underway to reduce demand and streamline processes and reporting.”
Mr Stevens said “more significant structural changes” were being explored to “reshape our approach to policing in the metropolitan area”.
SA Police also said it would look at ways to provide a specific focus on Adelaide’s CBD entertainment precinct; though all significant changes must be delivered within the current SAPOL budget.
Mr Stevens on December 6 also ordered a major review of country policing in South Australia after serious safety concerns linked to understaffing at Coober Pedy Police Station were raised.
BDO will also conduct the review into regional policing.
“Our focus remains clear: to provide an adaptive policing service that delivers for our people and our communities,” Mr Stevens said.
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Originally published as Major changes come into effect, ceasing of traffic fine ‘benchmarks’ after SA’s top cop calls to ‘do things differently’
