Police Ramping

In reply to the Hon. J.S. LEE ().6 February 2025).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State): The Minister for Police has been advised:

1. The primary response for the treatment of mental illness rests with SA Health. Police officers have a role when there is an element of violence or criminality. SAPOL continually monitors resource use and develops strategies to enhance efficiency and deploy resources effectively.

2. SAPOL has developed a Mental Health Co-Response Unit in consultation with both Northern and Central Adelaide Local Health Networks. The co-response units combine a police officer with a mental health clinician who respond to mental health related events both within the community and police custodial facilities.

Significant expansion of the resources and role of Police Security Services Branch (PSSB) provides SAPOL with support by way of its District Support Section (DSS). DSS is a centralised resource that accepts policing demand and supports frontline police allowing for flexible deployment across the Greater Adelaide metropolitan area.

Police security officers (PSO) attached to the DSS, are available to conduct hospital guard duties of detainees in police custody requiring medical treatment and detainees awaiting a mental health assessment.

This alleviates the requirement for frontline police to transport and guard detainees or person/s awaiting a mental health assessment.