Police union hands top cop vote of no confidence
In an historic move, the police union has passed a vote of no confidence against a sitting Police Commissioner and his deputy.
Police Association of South Australia delegates today passed a motion of no confidence against Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams.
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.
“To the best of my knowledge, never before has there been a vote of no confidence in the States Police Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner,” Police Association SA (PASA) president Wade Burns said today.
In a statement, the Union said it was concerned 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.
“What happens next is really a matter for the government, for the Commissioner, and for the Deputy Commissioner,” Burns said.
“What I will say is that delegates have spoken, they have spoken loudly and they have spoken clearly.
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“Today’s vote is about accountability. It is about the majority of the SAPOL workforce having their say and speaking up.”
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.”
SAPOL has been contacted for comment.
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