South Australia Police

In reply to the Hon. J.S. LEE (24 May 2016).

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety): The Murray Mallee Local Service Area (LSA) currently has 160 established police positions and 11.5 non-sworn administrative positions. The LSA has been increased with one additional position within the last 12 months, that of an extra detective.

The Murray Mallee LSA has been provided with further resources, those being an additional two persons from the State Tactical Response Group, as well as two relief staff from the State Operations Service. The Murray Mallee LSA has received and will continue to receive ongoing support from a number of specialist crime branches for the investigation and resolution of murder, drug and sexual crimes, in addition to the normal routine investigations.

As a normal part of policing responsibilities, LSAs are able to call upon the assistance of metropolitan-based police officers and specialist crime investigators to assist in protracted or complex investigations. The Murray Mallee LSA has had involvement from a number of specialist Crime branches in the investigation and resolution of murder, drug and sexual crimes.

The LSA has also been supported by State Operations Service (SOS) with attendances from specialist Traffic officers, Licensing Enforcement Branch officers, Operation Mandrake investigators and State Tactical Reponses Group (STRG) members. These resources have been in the LSA as part of their normal routine investigations and as requested to manage specific incidents or events.

Further, Murray Bridge has received additional support from STRG for five months and relief staff provided by SOS for three months, which has allowed Murray Bridge police to form a short-term tactical team to disrupt and deter drug dealing activity within the township. As a result of continuing efforts of local police and the support of additional resources from other areas within SAPOL, Murray Mallee LSA has been able to reduce its crime rate from a peak of 9% to 3% at the same time last year.