SAPOL Recruitment

In reply to Mr TELFER (Flinders) (25 June 2024). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State): I have been advised:

SAPOL aims for a workforce that comprises of at least 2 per cent First Nations employees.

In 2022 SAPOL's First Nations employees represented 1.27 per cent of the workforce. There was a 5 per cent increase of First Nations employees between 2022 and 2023 (77 to 81 employees) which resulted in an overall workforce representation of 1.32 per cent.

As of 30 June 2024, SAPOL's First Nations employee head count stands at 88. There was an increase of 6 per cent employees from the previous year resulting in a workforce representation of 1.4 per cent. SAPOL's 88 First Nations employees comprise of:

50 police

25 community police (community constables)

1 APY police Aboriginal liaison officer

12 unsworn positions (inclusive of police security officers)

SAPOL is expecting to finalise employment of six APY community members as police Aboriginal liaison officers in the near future. These new employees will align to the vacant APY community constable positions and will increase the First Nations employee total to 94 (1.5 per cent of workforce).

SAPOL continues to experience an upward trend in First Nations employment over the past two years. To achieve a 2 per cent representation of First Nations employees in the current workforce, SAPOL aims to surpass a total of 122 First Nations employees. This can be achieved by a commitment to proposed initiatives and strategies moving forward.