Inspector Wade Burns, son of former commissioner Gary Burns, spent nearly a decade managing SAPOL’s industrial relations operations and enterprise bargaining negotiations.
And the new Police Association deputy president says he is bringing all that strategic experience, and more, to the committee table.
“Between 2013 and 2021, I actually sat across the table from (association president) Mark Carroll,” he explains.
“I managed all of SAPOL’s enterprise bargaining, dealing with government treasury ministers, Mark and the commissioner.”
He has no doubt that this experience helps him to bring a unique set of skills to the association boardroom.
“It’s all led me down the path of wanting to be able to help members and use my unique position,” he says.
“Having dad as a former commissioner, and me as an officer with significant IR and HR experience, I think it can really benefit the membership.”
And, as he explains it, some of the skills he has picked up from his father include the ability to make sound, courageous judgement calls.
“One of the things I learned from him is to back yourself to make decisions,” he explains.
“Make the best decision you can on the information you have at the time. And surround yourself with good people who can provide you with counsel.”
Burns’ experience in SAPOL is impressive and extensive. A former STAR group officer, he understands policing across a range of areas.
“I’ve worked in patrols and investigations, STAR operations, been a patrol sergeant, a traffic senior sergeant and an officer of police in senior strategic and political roles,” he says.
“I think my unique experience of how SAPOL works, from both the bottom up and the top down, places me in quite an influential position to be able to support and protect members.”
And, in Burns’ judgement, the biggest issue currently affecting members is mental health and well-being.
He attributes the issue directly to resourcing, with the demand for police services far exceeding SAPOL’s current capacity.
“Our members are stretched far too thin,” he says. “They’re tired, fatigued and exhausted.
“I’m in a unique position as a front-line manager, a district duty inspector working 24-7 shifts in an operational environment. I see it daily.
“I see how many jobs are on hold, I see the complexity of the work, and I can hear in people’s voices how fatigued they are.”
Burns also touches on steps the association can take to ensure the best outcomes for members. He insists that there is always scope for improvement and introspection within the union’s ranks.
“I think we have to be about empowering the whole membership to assist us in achieving outcomes,” he says.
“It has to be about bringing our members on board because, with a membership of nearly 5,000 people, there is going to be so many solutions and ideas among members and we should be listening to those.”
Burns calls it an “honour and a privilege” to be elected as deputy president, but he is quick to point out that it comes with a special responsibility.
He makes it clear that he does not intend to let members down and expresses his desires to be a long-term member of the association committee.
“I’m totally committed to the role,” he says. “And should members be happy with my representation, I’m keen to have a long future within the association.
“I was humbled to be elected, but also excited at the opportunity to create lasting positive change and have an influence on how SAPOL conducts its business.
“I’m from a police family. I understand the harsh realities of the job.
“I want to represent the interests of all members regardless of rank, experience, or work location.”
