Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Answers to Questions Police Resources POLICE RESOURCES The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY Legislative Council Leader of the Opposition POLICE RESOURCES In reply to the Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (11 September 2008). The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY Legislative Council Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business POLICE RESOURCES The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business): The Minister for Police has provided the following information: A court form (Complaint and Summons) is a document issued by a Registrar, Justice or Court commanding a person to attend or to produce an article or document to the court. Summonses are generally issued with a court date sufficiently in advance to allow for receipt at appropriate police stations, service and return to Courts. For any number of reasons a summons may not be served within time in which case the summons is returned 'unserved'. Reasons include incorrect or changed addresses and evasion of police. The Commissioner of Police has advised that at any one time the number of summons held for service at police stations across the State is fluid. However, in September 2008 State wide approximately 2,200 summonses were awaiting service by police. I am also advised this is not unusual and the number of summonses held compares favourably with the previous corresponding period. In September 2008 most Local Service Areas (LSA's) report a reduction in the number of summonses received for service. Accurate timelines for service of summonses are unable to be provided as some may be served within a few days whilst others often take longer. In this context, it should be noted that South Australia Police prosecuted over 71,000 matters in 2007-08 with an average of more than 15,000 files being listed per month within Magistrate's Courts. A range of initiatives have been implemented across SAPOL Local Service Areas to manage summons service. These include telephone contact with persons named in summonses and arrangements being made for collection at a police station as well as involving dedicated enquiry and other staff as required.