Police Foundation Day marks ambulance service handover

SAPOL pays homage to its auspicious beginnings on 28 April annually, recognising its foundation on this date in 1838 when a police inspector, 10 mounted constables and 10 foot constables were sworn in.

This year, SAPOL acknowledged the 140th anniversary of the Police Civil Ambulance Service and the 70th anniversary since these duties were handed over to St John Ambulance Service by unveiling a commemorative plaque at the Police Academy.

“Today highlighted the significant role SAPOL has played in the management of emergencies in South Australia, particularly its role in shaping the ambulance response services we have today,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Linda Williams said.

“Since 1992, SAPOL has acknowledged Foundation Day and focussed on a theme which reflects its rich and diverse history.

“Reflecting today on seven decades of a dedicated 24-hour emergency ambulance service further reinforced SAPOL’s long commitment to assisting the South Australian community.”

For many years after South Australia’s founding, no ambulance service existed for the transportation of sick or wounded. Patients were conveyed to hospital in private wagons and sometimes even in wheelbarrows.

Eventually, police became responsible for providing a public ambulance service, and in 1884, were provided with a horse-drawn ambulance.

During a historical address, former Deputy Commissioner and Police Historical Society member, John White, explored the transforming emergency service across 70 years.

“In 1885, the newly formed Adelaide Branch of St John Ambulance Association provided police with first-aid training. Thus began a trained and reliable civil ambulance service staffed by police officers,” he explained during the unveiling event.

“In addition to its horse-drawn ambulances, in 1916, South Australia Police had its first motor civil ambulance, a Sampson, which in fact was the police department’s first ever motor vehicle. Based at the Thebarton Police Barracks, the police ambulance service was expanded in 1919 with the purchase of a second motor vehicle, an Overland.

“From the early 1950s, St John Ambulance brigade volunteers regularly accompanied police ambulance drivers on callouts, functioning together with police as one unit. Today we are honoured with the presence of three of those St John Ambulance volunteers.”

In September, 1954, the ambulance service was handed over to St John Ambulance Australia, bringing to an end 70 years of the dedicated Police Civil Ambulance Service.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Williams, Police Historical Society President Bill Prior, and CEO St John Ambulance Australia SA Mark Groote today unveiled a plaque which will be on display at the SA Police Museum at a later date. A duplicated plaque will also be exhibited by St John Ambulance Australia SA.

The Police Civil Ambulance Service was once based at the Thebarton Police Barracks. A 1935 Buick is pictured.

South Australia Police civil ambulance Ford V8 pictured in 1939.