Liberals will get more cops on the beat

Published October 2025

A new Liberal Government will tackle South Australia’s policing crisis head on, with a comprehensive plan to recruit and retain frontline officers following years of Labor's under resourcing.

Labor has failed to recruit, retain and resource South Australia Police – with a shortfall of around 200 police officers over the last three years and one in two officers considering leaving the force over the next three years.

If elected in 2026, the Liberal’s Police Attraction and Retention Plan will include:

• A $20,000 recruitment bonus for experienced police officers from interstate and international jurisdictions to move to South Australia.

• A $20,000 incentive to attract police who have left the service in the last four years under Labor’s weak laws.

• Up to $20,000 off university HELP debts for new recruits.

• A new Police Retention Bonus to reward our long-serving officers - up to $20,000 for 20 years’ service.

• A $560,000 mental health support framework for South Australia Police.

• Tough new laws to protect our police from assaults.

Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia, said the Liberal Party will invest in South Australia’s largest police recruitment and retention plan – bringing more police to the frontline, faster.

“Our plan will deliver real and competitive recruitment and retention benefits to help grow our police force,” Mr Tarzia said.

“South Australians deserve to feel safe in their homes and in the community, having more police with more experience will go a long way.

“We know other states and territories already offer incentives to join the force which is making it harder for South Australia to recruit in a competitive market.

“This suite of policies will ensure that we can compete with those states and territories, while also stopping the haemorrhaging of police officers already in the force.”

Shadow Minister for Police, Jack Batty, warned that promises of more police officers in the latest State Budget are meaningless unless accompanied by a plan to recruit and retain those officers.

“We welcome promises to reach 5,000 police by 2030 – but at the moment we are hundreds short of that target with no plan to actually get there,” Mr Batty said.

“The Liberal Party’s plan will see more police on the beat quicker – and ultimately improve community safety.

“It’s clear we need to come to the table with some incentives because we can’t keep trying to recruit in a competitive market on charm alone.

“If you are a South Australian Police Officer today, the Queensland Government will pay you $20,000 to move there tomorrow.

“We want our police to feel value and supported, with incentives to ensure they are having long and meaningful careers in the police force.

“The Liberals message to police is clear - we want you and we’ve got your back.”

Media Contact: Gretel Mead 0449 500 844