Police union hands top cop vote of no confidence
UPDATED: The Police Commissioner has responded to an historic move from the police union, which earlier today passed a vote of no confidence against him and his deputy.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has called a police union vote of no confidence against him and his deputy “disappointing”.
Stevens responded to the historic move from the Police Association of South Australia (PASA), whose delegates today passed a motion of no confidence against Stevens and Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams.
“While the delegates have expressed their opinion, it is not reflective of the daily feedback I receive through my constant interaction with officers on the frontline,” Stevens said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.
Stevens – who is on a salary of $668,658 – has been in the top job since 2015, and his current contract is due to expire in 2028. Williams was also appointed in 2015, and made history as the first woman to hold the role.
Both Stevens and Williams were made aware of the vote shortly after today’s meeting, the Premier and Police Minister also contacted by the union.
In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Stevens said he had spoken to Premier Peter Malinauskas, who backed both top cops in their roles.
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“History shows that better outcomes are achieved for SAPOL and members when there is a professional and collaborative approach,” Stevens said in his statement.
“Regrettably, this does not appear to be the union’s current approach.”
Stevens pointed to record levels of SAPOL resources, making SA the only jurisdiction with a police force at full establishment, and securing funding for 750 new positions since 2022 among his achievements.
“The reality is most crime in South Australia is down and public confidence in South Australia Police (SAPOL) remains high,” Stevens said.
“But there is more to do.
“I have previously publicly acknowledged there are challenges in attracting officers to some regional locations, many beyond the capacity of SAPOL to resolve, but I am committed to finding sustainable solutions to this and boosting numbers in all country regions.”
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The Union’s unprecedented move came amid concerns about workforce conditions, operational performance, organisational reform and leadership accountability with South Australia Police.
Forty-four out of 48 delegates voted in favour of the no-confidence motion. The union represents 95 per cent of the workforce.
“The motion reflects concerns raised by elected delegates – who represent every section of the SAPOL workforce – regarding workforce sustainability, operational effectiveness, staffing pressures, increasing administrative burden, workforce wellbeing and confidence in SAPOL’s future direction,” PASA said in a statement.
Police Association SA (PASA) president Wade Burns said the vote was “about accountability” and “the majority of the SAPOL workforce having their say and speaking up”.
“To the best of my knowledge, never before has there been a vote of no confidence in the States Police Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner,” Burns said.
“What happens next is really a matter for the government, for the Commissioner, and for the Deputy Commissioner.
“What I will say is that delegates have spoken, they have spoken loudly and they have spoken clearly.”
Stevens said reducing demands on frontline officers was a priority, and would be addressed by making “significant changes to our policing model in response to concerns identified by the workforce”, that he announced last week.
“I am focused on continuing to ease the pressure on the workforce, addressing the key issues responsible and introducing meaningful change to address them,” Stevens said.
Earlier today, Premier Peter Malinauskas backed in Stevens.
“I am very grateful for the work that Grant Stevens has done in South Australian Police, I think he’s a strong, exceptionally competent leader of the South Australian police force,” the Premier said.
“I hope he’s able to continue in that role for some time to come.”
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