Release date: 08/07/22

The Premier’s Taskforce will begin work on police resourcing, and in doing so, be delivering another important election commitment.

The Taskforce has been established to make recommendations on police resourcing and numbers over the next 10-15 years.

It will include representatives of the Malinauskas Government, SAPOL and Police Association South Australia (PASA).

With meetings to begin from August, the Taskforce will meet regularly to discuss outcomes that will be presented to Cabinet.

The Taskforce will identify and highlight areas of community safety which create growing demand with a focus on domestic and family violence.

Matters to be considered in recommending future policing resources include population and census data, metropolitan and regional expansion, crime rates, socioeconomic status and current police demand and recruitment policies, among other considerations.

The Taskforce’s membership will be made up of twelve members, including:

  • Mr Damien Walker, DPC CEO
  • Hon Joe Szakacs MP, Minister for Police
  • Commissioner Grant Stevens, SAPOL Commissioner
  • Mr Mark Carroll, PASA President
  • Mr Wade Burns, PASA Deputy President
  • Mr Steve Whetton, PASA Assistant Secretary
  • A workforce planning expert
  • Superintendent Simon Watkins, SAPOL Commissioner’s Chief of Staff
  • Assistant Commissioner Noel Bamford, SAPOL Organisational Reform
  • Ms Kim-Sherie Summers, SAPOL Director Human Resources Service
  • Mr Stephen Johinke, SAPOL Director Business Service
  • Ms Erma Ranieri, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment

Quotes

Attributable to Peter Malinauskas

I took a suite of policies to the election and this Taskforce is yet another commitment delivered for future generations.

This Taskforce delivers on my Government’s commitment to police and community safety.

As the city, regions and State as a whole grow and develop, we must actively discuss and consider future policing goals and strategies.

Attributable to Joe Szakacs

The Premier’s Taskforce is a key policy and election commitment that has been promptly delivered.

Allowing SAPOL, PASA and our Government to have fruitful and constructive discussions about policing needs will provide countless positive outcomes for South Australia.

The Taskforce reiterates the Malinauskas Government’s strong and continued support of our hardworking police and protective security officers, who dedicate themselves to keep us safe.