Parliamentary Committees

Select Committee on Support and Mental Health Services for Police

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. L.A. Henderson:

That the report of the select committee be noted.

(Continued from 2 April 2025.)

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (16:15): I rise somewhat briefly to speak in support of the Hon. Laura Henderson's motion to note the report of the Select Committee on Support and Mental Health Services for Police in South Australia. It was a real privilege to be part of this committee, which endeavoured to inquire into and report on the support and mental health services currently provided to, primarily, serving and also former police officers in some cases but also to a number of other emergency services respondents where appropriate and occupations that may be exposed to emergency situations in the normal course of their duties. It is quite far reaching.

It will be no surprise to members of this place that police officers and emergency services workers are frequently exposed to traumatic incidents—maybe not on a daily basis, but very frequently—because it is an inherent part of their frontline work and places them at greater risk of adverse mental health outcomes. Our parliament, in my view, has a very strong and serious responsibility to ensure that these men and women are adequately provided with the support, services and resources they require for their wellbeing. I would go so far as to say that it is of the utmost importance. I commend the Hon. Ms Henderson on her initiative in moving to establish this committee to this end in this place approximately a year ago now.

The committee was of the view that issues leading to reduced retention must be addressed as a matter of urgency in the police force, and I imagine that issue would have bipartisan, even multipartisan support. Given that a convincing link was found between fatigue and low morale, due to the increased demand placed on the remaining officers with the high number of officers departing SAPOL in recent times—that is, when people leave there is more work for others to do; it is not rocket science—the committee heard that the reasons for the higher turnover can be diverse, including the impact of shift work on social and family life, just being on call on occasions, the rising number of assaults on police officers and a perception of the lack of support and protection and, in some cases it was suggested, even lack of sympathy from leadership. I do not know if that is true or not, but that was put to the committee.

Accordingly, the committee's recommendations were developed largely within the context of endeavouring to improve the mental health of current and former police officers to increase morale and ultimately improve long-term retention, which of course would be such a fillip for our police officers. Some of these key recommendations include providing an option for officers to seek support from a registered health professional of their choice, which is not currently the case as I understand it, or from a panel of mental health professionals and for which SAPOL would bear the cost. That consideration is the first one.

Further, the committee recommended that consideration be given to the establishment of a dedicated specialist post-traumatic stress disorder research and treatment centre, with a specific focus on service-related trauma, and further that the provision of ongoing medical support to former police officers be considered. My understanding is that is not currently the case.

Further, it was recommended that a review of SAPOL's corporate structure be undertaken to identify roles that should be available as a priority to officers diagnosed with mental health problems. How can these officers who have suffered trauma and been through very difficult situations that have impacted them be used in other roles whilst they are undergoing treatment or, potentially for some of them, on a longer term basis?

In total the committee made 30 recommendations, and I express appreciation to all who appeared before the committee, but perhaps especially to the police commissioner, Grant Stevens. He was particularly receptive and open to the findings of the committee. He was very cooperative throughout its dealings. Some might have entered this with a level of scepticism, but I saw no evidence of that from him whatsoever; in fact, I saw evidence that he was seeking to find ways to improve what he even agreed at times were not optimal outcomes.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Chair of the committee, as I just did, the Hon. Mrs Henderson, its secretary, Shannon Riggs, and Ben Cranwell, the research officer. Both Shannon and Ben were exemplary in my view and really almost set the standard in their work through that inquiry. We have had many good staff assistants on committees over the years, but they were among the best.

I lastly thank the many stakeholders who made submissions or appeared as witnesses before the committee to give evidence, as their efforts will undoubtedly have a considerable impact on the future welfare of our police officers serving in very difficult circumstances. It is absolutely my sincere hope that the recommendations made by this committee are implemented as soon as practicable in the best interests of South Australia's invaluable police force. I wholeheartedly commend the motion to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.