To:
Hon. Vincent Tarzia
Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services
This annual report will be presented to Parliament to meet the statutory reporting requirements of the Police Act 1998, Police Regulations 2014 and Public Sector Act 2009 and the requirements of Premier and Cabinet Circular PC013 Annual Reporting.
This report is verified to be accurate for the purposes of annual reporting to the Parliament of South Australia.
Submitted on behalf of the South Australia Police by:
Grant Stevens APM LEM
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
Please refer to Appendix (page 63 on-wards) in the PDF version of the Annual Report.
South Australia Police (SAPOL) Statement of Reconciliation and SAPOL Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) remains the guiding document for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people. Of note, SAPOL’s revised RAP is currently being considered for review by Reconciliation Australia and is to be released in the latter half of 2021.
During the review period, the SAPOL RAP moved into its fourth year. It was assessed against its deliverables, adjusted to meet community needs and exceeded the outcomes as defined within this document by way of establishing meaningful and resilient partnerships with major stakeholders and organisational cultural inclusion.
SAPOL’s commitment to prevention, early intervention, and engagement with ATSI people is supported through liaison with Federal and State Government and non-government agencies.
SAPOL, through the Commissioner of Police, as a member of the Chief Executive’s Group on Aboriginal Affairs; additional SAPOL representation also forms a part of the South Australian Chief Executive Council, Over Representation of Aboriginal People in the Justice System working group.
SAPOL are further represented at numerous community engagement events where employment and engagement with the organisation is promoted. Due to COVID 19 many events in 2020-21 were cancelled. Regardless of this, SAPOL maintained close working relationships with key employment stakeholders including the Office for the Public Sector (OPS) vide the OPS Aboriginal Trainee Program and Aboriginal Employment Register. SAPOL have continued to scout existing talent from within the ATSI community to increase our employment of ATSI people through direct liaison between our Aboriginal members and the community.
As at 30 June 2021, SAPOL comprised of 82 Aboriginal employees working as sworn police officers, community constables, police Aboriginal liaison officers (casual), cadets, Police Security Officers and administrative support officers.
Assistant Commissioner State Operations Service is the sponsor of the ATSI Focus Group which functions as a working group to provide operational and organisational guidance on Indigenous issues that will impact on SAPOL, its staff and the wider community.
During the reporting period SAPOL launched the Cultural Capability Development Program (the program). The program is designed to bring together cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity and cultural safety to develop cultural capability across the organisation. The program was launched in August 2020 with an introductory course developed by SBS and delivered online. Steps two and three will be delivered face to face and rolled out to all staff over a period of time with the final step incorporating practical elements of policing tailored to individual workplace requirements.
Building upon our existing SAPOL RAP, the succeeding RAP will see our organisation increase its commitment to reconciliation through the inclusion of progressive, contemporary initiatives that are reflective of the respect we have for our First Nations People and SAPOL’s commitment to reconciliation.
SAPOL launched its new Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2020-2024 in October 2020. Extending the outcomes of the previous plan, SAPOL has committed to greater involvement of people with disability in implementing the new plan as was evident in the significant internal and external consultations undertaken in preparing the plan.
The DAIP sets a clear direction for what SAPOL intends to do to further support and include people with disability over the next four years. The actions are aligned to four themes set out in the Inclusive SA: State Disability Inclusion Plan 2019-2023; Inclusive communities for all, leadership and collaboration, accessible communities, and learning and employment.
SAPOL hosted a Disability Awareness training session run by Purple Orange facilitators with lived experience of disability. Approximately 25 participants attended the session held at the Academy including employees from Physical Assets Support Branch (PASB), Diversity and Inclusion Branch (D&IB), Human Resource Management Branch (HRMB), Community Engagement Section (CES), and Volunteer Coordination Unit.
Since the session, D&IB and CES have met with Purple Orange to discuss potential support from them with our DAIP actions, particularly around training and advice.
Initial discussions have also been had with Purple Orange about support from them in sourcing community participants for focus groups for SAPOL to consult on the implementation of DAIP actions, including training.
CES presented at the Neighbourhood Watch International Conference on the Gold Coast on the topic of ‘Increased Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Neighbourhood Watch’.
An initial meeting was held with D&IB and CES members to discuss ideas for a Disability Service Development Advisory Group. After further consideration of the objective of Action 4, discussion was held about the potential to expand the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group (DIAG) with another member with disability expertise/experience, tap into the cross sector advisory group being developed, and engage Purple Orange to support us in sourcing focus group participants relevant to specific topics we would like to consult on. The DIAG is more intersectional and includes members from priority groups within the State Plan. Further consideration and discussion of this is to be held in consultation with CES.
PASB have begun working on Action 6 of the DAIP; to apply universal design principles to SAPOL’s sites, buildings and facilities:
In relation to Action 8; broaden and enhance the use of technology to enable better communication between people with disability and SAPOL, Communications Group have implemented and are working on the following initiatives:
In April 2021, a policy for the management of non-work related medical disability or medical incapacity for Non-Sworn employees’ was developed by HRMB to provide managers and employees guidance to manage employees with non-compensable injury, illness or disability in the workplace. This policy is consistent with the Public Sector Act 2009 (SA), Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (SA), the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), the State Disability Inclusion Plan 2019-2023 and SAPOL’s DAIP. The policy is inclusive of employees with disability.
In April 2021, HRMB provided 10 briefing sessions to managers and supervisors in SAPOL to provide them with information and guidance as to how they can support employees with a nonwork related medical condition, medical incapacity and disability in the workplace. The briefing sessions covered legislative requirements and human resource best practice considerations in supporting employees with disability in the workplace. This includes providing reasonable modifications and equipment in the workplace, recruiting and promoting employees with disability who have the ability to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role, and also accessing external services to support employees with disability, for example, JobAcess.
South Australia Police (SAPOL) is an agency pursuant to Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act 1991 (FOI Act) and this Information Statement is published in accordance with Section 9 of the FOI Act. The FOI Act confers on members of the public a legally enforceable right to access information held by the South Australian Government subject to certain restrictions. A comprehensive introduction to freedom of information can be found on the State Records website at https://www.archives.sa.gov.au/content/foi-in-sa.
A comprehensive description of SAPOL structure and functions can be found on our website at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/about-us and in our online Annual Reports which can be found at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/online-services/find-a-publication.
SAPOL functions affect the public through direct service delivery of our Core Functions. These are; to uphold the law, preserve the peace, prevent crime, assist the public in emergency situations, coordinating and managing responses to emergencies and regulating road use to prevent road collisions.
SAPOL is committed to and encourages public participation in the development of its policies and the delivery of its Core Functions in several ways including community consultation forums, problem solving, surveys, promotional activities and committee membership. SAPOL holds ongoing Police and Community Engagement (PACE) Forums across all metropolitan Districts, regional Local Services Areas and social media. SAPOL provides support to a number of boards and committees which include members of the public who contribute to the development of policies and provide feedback to allow for continuous improvement in the delivery of SAPOL Core Functions.
SAPOL is committed to service excellence by consistently delivering service of the highest quality to the community. Community support is vital to ensuring the effective delivery of police services and SAPOL wishes to hear from members of the community who have received a policing service by completing a feedback form which is available online at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/about-us/service-charters.
Crime Stoppers is an independent not-for-profit organisation in which the community and the media help police to solve crime. Crime Stoppers offers the community a means to actively contribute to solving and reducing crime through various crime prevention and awareness campaigns. They also play an active role in the media, promoting unsolved crimes and encouraging people to provide information anonymously with the option of a reward. Crime Stoppers operates 24/7 and information can be provided in confidence anytime by telephoning Crime Stoppers on free-call 1800 333 000 or online through their website or app. Further information about this program can be located online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au/.
The community can participate in keeping South Australia’s roads safe by reporting dangerous driving to 131 444 or on-line at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/online-services/traffic-watch2. Further information can be found online at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/road-safety/report-dangerous-driving.
SAPOL Road Safety Centre at Port Road, Thebarton is a multifunction road safety educational facility. The centre provides road safety sessions for students, businesses, special interest groups and community groups ranging in age from preschool to older road users. This approach supports the SAPOL concept of road safety education being a lifelong learning process. The mock roadway located within Bonython Park is open for use by the public when not required by SAPOL. Further information regarding the Road Safety Centre can be found on our website at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/road-safety/road-safety-centre.
The Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) SA’s vision is to build a safe and connected community. Through its unique link with SA Police, the program helps prevent crime (traditional property crime and also contemporary crime such as on-line scams) by raising awareness of topical offences, building relationships with local police, and encouraging the community to connect with each other. NHW groups exist across South Australia. To achieve the ambitions listed above, these groups meet with a local police coordinator on semi-regular occurrences, and encourage others in their local communities to attend.
You can follow NHW SA on Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/NeighbourhoodWatchSA and find further information, including news and crime prevention hints and tips on the NHW SA website at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/nhw.
Community engagement via SAPOL use of social media is a vital tool in providing the public access to real time information especially during emergency events. SAPOL encourages community participation and assistance with police investigations and missing persons. Further information about various SAPOL social media platforms can be found on our website at
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/front-page-news/sa-police-news
https://www.facebook.com/SouthAustraliaPolice/
https://twitter.com/SAPoliceNews
https://www.youtube.com/user/SAPoliceNews
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/missing-persons.
Documents held by SAPOL fall broadly into the categories listed below and whilst most documents are available in hard copy others are only available electronically. It is important to note that the following list is not exhaustive and does not necessarily mean all documents are accessible in full or in part pursuant to the FOI Act.
Documents are held in the following media:
Documents available for purchase include:
Further information including application forms as well as fees and charges can be found on our website at the following links or by attending your local police station:
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/apply-for-a-police-record-check
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/get-a-crash-or-theft-report
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/fee-schedule.
A number of SAPOL publications are available free of charge. The list of publications below is not exhaustive and is constantly being updated, particularly in areas of community affairs, crime prevention and statistical data:
Information is available online to help find contact details, location and opening hours of your nearest Police Station https://www.police.sa.gov.au/about-us/find-your-local-police-station.
The Expiation Notice System data is published quarterly and provides statistical information on volumes of expiation notice offences processed by SAPOL since 1 July 2011. Included is an Expiation Notice Open Data Dictionary, Expiable Offences and Fees, Prescribed Camera Offences, Mobile Camera Locations Codes and the location of South Australia fixed traffic camera sites including:
The data sets and further information can be found at https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/expiation-notice-system-data.
South Australia Safe-T-Cam is a network of cameras placed on major heavy vehicle routes across the state to monitor movement of heavy vehicles. The cameras are able to detect unregistered and uninsured offences for all vehicles, as well as heavy vehicle offences including failing to take required rest breaks and work diary (log book) offences. The Safe-T-Cam network is managed by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and more information can be found at https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/heavy-vehicles/driving-heavy-vehicles-safely.
SAPOL publishes quarterly suburb-based crime statistics for crimes against the person and crimes against property on the South Australia Government Data Directory which can be found at https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/crime-statistics. The SAPOL website has an interactive crime mapping tool that provides information about the incidence of crimes against the person and crimes against property per suburb or postcode area for the previous month as well as crime statistics at a state level that are published monthly and can be found at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/about-us/crime-statistics-map.
Annual Reporting as required by legislation and with respect to the following can be found at https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/annual-reporting-data:
In addition the following can be found at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/about-us/annual-reporting:
The following list is a snapshot of the information and links on the SAPOL website at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety:
The following list is a snapshot of the information, security and safety booklets, facts sheets, campaign materials, posters and links on the SAPOL website at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety:
There is an abundance of Road Safety information including posters, road rules videos, road rules quiz, road safety education programs and road safety newsletters and tips that can be found at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/road-safety/road-rules-and-safety or SAPOL social media.
All SAPOL publications can be found at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/online-services/find-a-publication with quick links to the following corporate documents:
SAPOL Service Delivery Charter is available in nine different languages from Police Stations and the SAPOL website at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/about-us/service-charters.
SAPOL proactively publishes information relating to the expenditure for the Commissioner of Police as well as our contract and procurement processes in line with the Premier and Cabinet Circular PC035 – Proactive Disclosure of Regularly Requested Information. The following expenditure types can be found at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/about-us/proactive-disclosure:
A disclosure log is published on the SAPOL website in accordance with Premier and Cabinet Circular PC045 – Disclosure Logs for Non-Personal Information Released through Freedom of Information and lists documents that have been disclosed in response to a request for access to non-personal information pursuant to the FOI Act. The disclosure log can be found at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/about-us/proactive-disclosure.
Available on the SAPOL website is a vast array of other information, online services, data, downloads and reporting mechanisms that can be found at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/.
In addition to seeking access to documents pursuant to the FOI Act, the release of Vehicle Collision Reports / Occurrence Reports (for Insurance purposes only), Police Incident Reports and Occurrence Reports for theft or burglary (for Insurance purposes only) and National Police Certificates are available to members of the public through SAPOL Information Services Branch.
Further information including application forms as well as fees and charges can be found on our website at the following links or by attending your local police station:
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/apply-for-a-police-record-check
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/get-a-crash-or-theft-report
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/fee-schedule
SAPOL’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Unit administers the Freedom of Information Act 1991 and facilitates, subject to exemptions and exceptions, access to SAPOL records as well as access and amendments to personal information held by the agency.
The following areas of SAPOL are exempt from FOI pursuant to Schedule 2 of the FOI Act for documents compiled by:
In accordance with Section 13 of the FOI Act, application for access to documents held by SAPOL must:
You can make an on-line application at https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/about-sa/government/FOI-application. You can write a letter or use SAPOL’s application form (PD360) which is available from Police Stations or can be found on-line at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/freedom-of-information along with details regarding the appropriate application fees.
In accordance with Section 31 of the FOI Act, application for amendment to a SAPOL document must:
You can make an on-line application at https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/about-sa/government/FOI-application. You can write a letter or use SAPOL’s application form (PD361) available from Police Stations or can be found on line at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/freedom-of-information. There is no application fee.
An FOI application made under the Act can be submitted on-line at
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/about-sa/government/FOI-application or lodged at any police station or by email SAPOL.FreedomofInformationUnit@police.sa.gov.au or posted to:
Freedom of Information Unit
South Australia Police
GPO Box 1539
Adelaide SA 5001
For further information contact the Freedom of Information Unit on (08) 732 23347.
The Awards and Recognition Unit administer SAPOL’s award processes along with the National Medal and other private awards e.g. those of the Royal Humane Society. The following medals and awards were presented in the reporting period 2020-21.
Type of Award | Number of Awards |
|---|---|
Public Service Medal | 0 |
Australian Police Medal | 6 |
National Police Service Medal | 801 |
National Medals and Clasps | 991 |
Police Bravery Medal | 0 |
Leadership and Efficiency Medal | 21 |
SAPOL Service Medals and Clasps | 1031 |
SAPOL Service Awards | 122 |
Police Officer of the Year | 0 |
Further information:
Performance Indicators | 2020-21 Actual Result | 2020-21 Target |
|---|---|---|
1.1 Response and Event Management | ||
% of call centre calls answered within 20 seconds | 81.76% | ≥80.0% |
No. of patrol taskings in the metropolitan area | 360 968 | n.a. |
No. of offences against good order recorded per 1000 head of population | 15.44 | 18.35 |
% of DNA links of persons to crime scenes that contribute to an arrest or report | 35% | 32% |
No. of grade 2 taskings in the metropolitan area | 96 524 | n.a. |
Performance Indicators | 2020-21 Actual Result | 2020-21 Target |
|---|---|---|
1.2 Emergency Response, Management and Coordination | ||
% of grade 1 taskings in the metropolitan area responded to within 15 minutes | 93.20% | ≥80.0% |
% of 000 calls presented to Police Communications Centre by Telstra answered within 10 seconds | 93.15% | 90.0% |
No. of calls received by call centre | 583 253 | n.a. |
No. of 000 calls presented to Police Communications Centre by Telstra | 186 329 | n.a. |
No. of grade 1 taskings in the metropolitan area | 2 972 | n.a. |
No. of search and rescue operations attended by STAR Group | 596 | n.a. |
No. of joint emergency services exercises conducted with Emergency and Major Event Section support | 21 | 50 |
Performance Indicators | 2020-21 Actual Result | 2020-21 Target |
|---|---|---|
2.1 Crime and Illegal Drugs | ||
No. of recorded offences against the person as reported by/on behalf of victims per 1000 head of population | 12.80 | ≤12.22 |
Level of alcohol related crime in licensed premises | 1 310 | 1 193 |
No. of recorded offences against property as reported by/on behalf of victims per 1000 head of population | 45.20 | ≤53.32 |
No. of illicit drug offences detected by police | 3 874 | ≥5 331 |
No. of drug diversions recorded as part of the Police Drug Diversion Initiative | 2 335 | ≥3 613 |
No. of clandestine labs detected | 54 | 67 |
No. of participants attending Blue Light functions | 3 502 | ≥2 500 |
No. of active ‘watch’ groups | 528 | 538 |
No. of contacts including online reports to Crime Stoppers | 26 481 | 25 923 |
Performance Indicators | 2020-21 Actual Result | 2020-21 Target |
|---|---|---|
2.2 Criminal Justice and Custodial Services | ||
% of SAPOL prosecutions which are finalised by a guilty verdict or guilty plea | 79.79% | 80% |
No. of prosecution charges initiated by police in state courts | 118 445 | n.a. |
No. of coronial investigation reports (deaths) submitted by police to the State Coroner’s Office | 1 442 | n.a. |
No. of formal cautions (juvenile) issued | 728 | n.a. |
No. of family conference referrals (juvenile) by police | 671 | n.a. |
No. of prisoners processed through police holding facilities | 27 172 | n.a. |
No. of deaths in police custody | 2 | 0 |
No. of escapes from police holding facilities | 0 | 0 |
Performance Indicators | 2020-21 Actual Result | 2020-21 Target |
|---|---|---|
3.1 Road Use Regulation | ||
No. of reports for traffic offences detected by police | 18 034 | 13 783 |
No. of detections of drink driving | 4 468 | n.a. |
No. of detections of drug driving | 5 317 | n.a. |
No. of speed detection hours (mobile cameras, mobile radars and lasers) | 49 770 | 75 765 |
No. of expiation notices issued for traffic offences | 151 933 | n.a. |
No. of driver screening tests conducted | 495 393 | 500 000 |
Performance Indicators | 2020-21 Actual Result | 2020-21 Target |
|---|---|---|
3.2 Education and Vehicle Collision Prevention | ||
No. of sessions conducted by the Road Safety Section | 327 | 1 000 |
No. of traffic cautions issued as recorded on expiation notices | 55 498 | n.a. |
No. of Traffic Watch complaints received | 10 523 | 2 400 |
No. of lives lost per 100 000 head of population | 5.76 | n.a. |
No. of serious injuries per 100 000 head of population | 48.35 | n.a. |
No. of casualty crashes, including fatal crashes per 100 000 head of population | 325.69 | n.a. |
No. of corporate/state-wide traffic operations | 41 | 39 |
No. of corporate/state-wide traffic operations that include a rural road safety component | 41 | 39 |
Personnel Information Summary 2020-21 (PDF)
Further human resource information can be located at the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment website: http://publicsector.sa.gov.au.
As required by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet Circular No.13 Annual Reporting Requirements and the Regional Impact Assessment Statements policy for South Australian government agencies, departments and agencies and statutory authorities are required to prepare and publish Regional Impact Assessment Statements prior to implementing significant changes to existing government services to rural and regional areas.
No Regional Impact Assessment Statements were prepared and published by SAPOL during the 2020-2021 reporting period.
SAPOL continues to work towards a more sustainable future through developing environmental standards and implementing environmental initiatives such as passive design measures, waste management, energy management (including solar energy) and water harvesting.
SAPOL is engaged in the Premier’s Climate Change Council program, investigating cost-effective opportunities to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimise energy costs associated with the operation of buildings. All accommodation projects pursue Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) initiatives incorporating:
Asbestos reduction and management continues to be an important activity for SAPOL, all sites have Asbestos management plans and where required annual inspections in place.
SAPOL remains committed to improvements in waste reduction and effective waste management measures for its major metropolitan police sites, this includes staff training.
SAPOL has around 1150 general duties and administrative fleet vehicles that have travelled 28.1 million kilometres during 2020-21.
SAPOL continually assess the composition of the fleet to reduce the environmental impact and have continued replacing six cylinder vehicles with four cylinder vehicles where appropriate. During 2020-21, SAPOL held 534 four cylinder vehicles representing a 20% increase on 2019-20.
The introduction of hybrid vehicles has further reduced SAPOL’s environmental impact in addition to five electric vehicles within its fleet.
There are 438 vehicles in the SAPOL fleet that utilise diesel fuel and 94 Hybrid vehicles. The below table details a number of key sustainability ratios for General Duties and Administrative Fleet vehicles:
Total General Duties | % 4 Cylinder Passenger | % LPG | % Diesel | %Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1164 | 534 | - | 438 | 94 |
46% | 37% | 8% |
The above table is not a full breakdown of the total fleet but reflects the proportion of specific fuel and vehicle.
ESD initiatives are being considered in all accommodation project works being undertaken in SAPOL and project designs as far as practicable addressing the prescribed criteria contained in the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) ESD Guide Note for Planning Design and Delivery.
SAPOL utilise the DIT Green fit out guide and the principles of ESD as a tool when negotiating with the building owners in regards to utilisation of habitable space within a leased facility.
SAPOL includes the overarching ESD objectives; reduce energy, conserve water, reduce waste, reduce pollution, improve indoor environmental quality, reduce operating costs when constructing the Sustainable Development Strategy within Strategic Asset Plan Framework for facilities in line with ISO 55001.
SAPOL has a number of environmental initiatives underway and a number planned for 2021-22 including:
The design of all new police facilities being built by SAPOL are undertaken in the spirit of the Urban Design Charter.
SAPOL recognises the need to provide design solutions that provide best practice passive design measures, with complementary active systems that maximise design outcomes in order to benefit the environment and to comply with the Government Urban Design Charter Ecologically Sustainable Development initiatives and office accommodation standards.
Annual report 2020-21 (PDF version) (3 MB)
Annual Report 2019-20 including other key areas reported on annually.
Search for previous Annual Reports (PDF versions).
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