Police Technology Upgrades

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:17): Thanks, it's the most hair I've ever had! My question is to the Minister for Police. Can the minister inform the council how modern technologies are improving efficiencies in police?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:17): I would be more than happy to answer the honourable member's question. It is an important question because it speaks to this government's strategy regarding community safety generally. This government wants our police officers out on the front line protecting the community and that is why this state Labor government made a commitment to invest in cutting-edge policing technologies.

It was therefore pleasing to have the privilege to be accompanied by the member for Little Para and former police officer, Mr Lee Odenwalder, to see firsthand how technology is improving efficiency in the Elizabeth local service area. South Australia Police is purchasing a total of 855 tablets, with 680 to be fitted in patrol cars by 2020 and the remainder to be used by front-line police following the successful trial in the Elizabeth local service area.

It was great to have Mr Odenwalder present with me. I know he is a committed advocate of community safety in the northern suburbs generally. Being a former police officer he brings a level of experience to such topics that is certainly of great value to the government and no doubt services his local constituents well in this particular policy area.

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire: It's a safe seat.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: But he doesn't stop working. He doesn't stop working, which is probably why it remains a safe seat. This technology is a further investment of $7.4 million into our police over five years. The entire Elizabeth LSA is now using the rugged tablets as the first local service area to trial the tablet technology. The technology is also being used by crime scene investigators.

Replacing the previous fixed in-car data devices, the new tablets are entirely portable. They provide police with the capability to capture, retrieve and submit information from within the field. The tablets enable an officer to take statements digitally, obtain signatures and store them securely on the device, removing the need to carry paper-based forms. Officers across the state are currently being trained on how to use the tablets, which will make them increasingly efficient with better information flow than ever before. The trial indicated that officers undertake 95 per cent of their role from the field, increasing efficiencies by a total of 165 hours per day each and every day or the equivalent of 29 sworn officers.

The member for Little Para was amazed that the technology was allowing officers to get out onto the beat, which is where they want to be, and also enabling them to use their time more productively on the front line than was previously the case. It appears that it is only the Liberal Party that does not want our officers on the beat, preferring them to be sitting behind desks hoping that the crime will come to them.

We have seen some pretty aggressive campaigning on behalf of the Liberal Party, advocating a government intervention to stop police station closures. Clearly, the Liberal Party has indicated that they are taking a policy position to the next state election that they will remove front-line police officers who are currently patrolling the streets out on the front line and put them back into police stations. I am amazed—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister, take your seat. It is totally inappropriate for two people in the capacity of a minister and the Leader of the Opposition to be pointing at each other and yelling at each other while the minister is trying to give an answer. It is totally unacceptable. Minister, on your feet and come to a conclusion—without making faces, of course.

An honourable member interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Will the Leader of the Government allow the minister to complete his answer without interjection. Minister.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: In my office we were all rather surprised, I have to say, when the Liberal Party announced its intention to take police officers off the front line and put them behind the desks of police stations. As a government, we support the police commissioner in his efforts to have a more efficient police resource. We are doing what we should as a government. We are stepping up to the plate and giving the police the resources they need to be able to get on and do the job. Equally, we are also supporting the police commissioner and allowing him to do his job, which is to make sure that we have an efficient police force that is out on the front line getting the crims.

The Hon. Mr Ridgway might be surprised to learn that very rarely do criminals walk through the front door of police stations and say, 'Here I am, arrest me.' They don't do that. They are out in the community committing crimes and we want our police officers out on the front line, catching criminals and putting them behind bars. I am appalled that we have an opposition going to the election, purporting to be ready for government but advocating a policy to overrule the police commissioner and take police officers off the front line and put them behind desks. It is shameful.