Budget Statement
Mr Stevens said the funding package over the next four years, announced today, followed numerous forthright discussions with Premier Peter Malinauskas and Police Minister Stephen Mullighan on the requirements of SAPOL to maintain community safety into the future.
“I have made it clear the increasing demands on police and what is required to keep the community safe,” he said.
“The demand for police assistance is increasing, taskings and investigations are now more complex and are taking longer.”
The Government has committed $240 million over the next four years, which includes provision for almost 300 additional sworn officers including an additional 33 motorcycle patrol officers, funding for an additional 98 Police Security Officers, 20 more civilian positions and the considerable expansion of the mental health-co-responder initiative that has already started relieving pressure on frontline police. This budget is also funding the provision of new pistols and includes a commitment for a range of road safety initiatives.
As a part of this commitment, SAPOL have also been provided $7.5 million a year for our capital program, which enables us to invest in critical works on our facilities, equipment and IT needs to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Funding has also been provided to continue our accelerated recruitment efforts and the increased number of recruit and PSO courses at the police academy.
At present, 97.5 per cent of the sworn positions in SAPOL are occupied and today’s funding boost will ensure the hard work that has achieved this will continue.
Mr Stevens said he had firmly advocated for what is required to maintain police services not just now, but well into the future and this budget is clear evidence the government had responded positively.
“The additional resources moving forward will help ease the pressure on frontline officers who have been doing a magnificent job of maintaining service delivery under significant pressure,” he said.
“My discussions with the government have been productive and this budget today will assist in alleviating the pressures SAPOL is facing in the coming years.”
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/front-page-news/budget-statement