Police Civilianisation

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:43): I seek leave to make an explanation prior to directing a question to the Minister for Police on the subject of civilianisation of SAPOL.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Last year, in the Budget and Finance Committee, Commissioner Stevens gave evidence in relation to the civilianisation of prosecution services within SAPOL. At that time, he indicated that they had employed seven civilian prosecutors, and he indicated where they were deployed, and he said:

This is being run as a trial and I have to say it's been very successful.

He went on to say that the cooperation:

…has been excellent…

All of the indications are that this is a sound model and we would be looking to expand the number of civilian prosecutors to a degree as we move forward. We do not have a specific number on that at this point.

That was evidence given last year. The commissioner was also asked what the budget savings were in moving to civilianise prosecutions. He provided a partial answer to that in that he indicated the salary differential was $11,000, but he didn't indicate what the other savings were or that the value of the other savings that he acknowledged would be achieved. He also gave us examples of potential savings in relation to police housing in country areas, annual leave—which was two weeks less than for police prosecutors—uniforms and various other examples. My questions to the minister are:

1. Given the indication last year, can the minister update the council as to how many civilian prosecutors there are now and whether it is the commissioner's intent to continue over the forward estimates period to increase the number of civilian prosecutors?

2. Can he take on notice and bring back to the house not just the salary savings of $11,000 per civilian prosecutor that the commission achieves, but what the other estimated savings are that would be achieved for each additional civilian prosecutor employed by SAPOL in terms of accommodation, uniform, annual leave and any other costs?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:46): I am more than happy to take the Hon. Mr Lucas's question on notice, as requested. However, I am able to provide a bit of additional advice that may be of assistance to the Hon. Mr Lucas in regard to the prosecution unit.

I have been advised—and I am happy to confirm these numbers through the process of taking questions on notice—that SAPOL forecasts that by 30 June next year there would be an equivalent of 22 FTE positions in the prosecution role. From my information, I am assuming that would be 22 FTEs of non-sworn officers or civilians working in prosecutions forecasted for 30 June next year. I am more than happy to take the remainder of the Hon. Mr Lucas's question on notice, as suggested by him.