Dozens of additional police officers are on the frontline compared to 12 months ago and hundreds more cadets sworn in as SAPOL steps up recruitment efforts locally and overseas.

Latest figures show there are 61 more police on the beat since May 2023, amid a clear positive trend of new recruits joining SAPOL and existing roles returning to the frontline.

South Australia has more frontline officers per capita than any other state, backed by one of the lowest attrition rates amongst law enforcement organisations in the country.

There have been more police recruits sworn in over the past two financial years – from July 2022 to May 2024 – than the previous four years of the former Government.

More than 460 new cadets have started over this two-year period, with today’s graduation class comprising 25 recruits and 220 recruits sworn in since July 2023.

This recruiting year – one of SAPOL’s biggest in recent years – is more than four-times the 2019-20 period and nearly double the Opposition’s last year, in 2021-22.

The strong results follow the State Government investing $12.2 million to help bolster recruitment and train 900 new officers over three years.

An increase in Police Security Officers (PSOs) is further bolstering police resources, allowing 45 officers to move from the back office and return to the front line.

The boost is part of an $81.8 million investment over four years to recruit extra PSOs, ensuring sworn police are deployed where they are needed most.

The targeted local recruitment drive coincides with an international campaign to recruit up to 200 experienced police officers in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand.

Over 250 applications have been received so far, with incentives available including reimbursement of visa costs for successful recruits as well as their immediate family.

SAPOL is currently developing its program for overseas candidates and expects successful recruits to hit the South Australian frontline later this year.

Quotes

Attributable to Dan Cregan

We are determined to get more police on the frontline sooner, and these results show the efforts underway are making a difference.

Expanding recruitment campaigns here and overseas while freeing up resources will ensure more officers deployed to keep South Australians safe.

We have seen a clear turnaround in the number of police recruits being sworn in and support provided to SAPOL will continue to build on this positive trend.

To today’s graduates, thank you – your service to communities across the state deserves to be recognised and supported throughout your career.

Attributable to SA Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens

We welcome all 25 new police officers who graduated today and wish them long and rewarding careers with SAPOL.

SAPOL is progressing multiple strategies to attract and recruit police officers and today’s graduation demonstrates everyday people are hearing the call to serve the community as South Australia police officers.

We look for individuals who have a strong ability to communicate and engage effectively with people of all ages and backgrounds. Over their training, Course 68 members have the values we expect of a South Australian police officer.