In a major coup for rank-and-file officers, the police department’s former chief industrial negotiator has been elected deputy president of the police union.

In an ironic twist, one of respected senior officer Wade Burns’ first tasks will be assisting in drafting and negotiating the next police enterprise bargaining agreement – this time as a union representative.

Recognised as one of SAPOL’s brightest commissioned officers with a slew of qualifications in leadership, business administration and human resources management Mr Burns, 43, led SAPOL’s corporate negotiations in the last two enterprise bargaining agreements for the state’s 4700 police officers.

He has also had key leadership roles in many of SAPOL’s major restructuring initiatives and projects – including the major reorganisation of policing districts and the civilianisation of many former police roles – undertaken over the past decade.

The son of former police commissioner Gary Burns, he is currently duty officer of the Western District of the Metropolitan Operations Service, managing frontline policing operations from Port Adelaide through to the south coast.

Since graduating in 1998, he has worked in areas ranging from the Drug and Organised Crime Investigation Branch, STAR Group and on general patrols. Currently an Inspector, he has also worked as shift manager and operations manager across several policing districts and the communications centre.

Wade Burns, newly elected deputy president of the Police Association. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Coming from a policing family and having nearly 25 years of service myself, I understand the job from the ground up, but I also understand the organisation from the top down,’’ Mr Burns said.

“I think I bring a unique skills set to this role. I have an acute understanding of organisational policies and positions, but I also understand it from the memberships’ point of view.

“I also have an understanding of government and politics because of the agreements I have negotiated and I think this will provide the membership with a strong, unified and qualified voice.

“I also believe it is in SAPOL’s interests because I bring an understanding from a corporate perspective as well.’’

Mr Burns said his decision to stand for the position was influenced not just by his strong interest in politics and industrial relations – having reported directly to the police commissioner for the past eight years on enterprise bargaining and industrial relations matters – but also his key roles and achievements in recent years.

He said while his initial focus was on being an effective deputy president, he would actively consider standing for the role of president when incumbent Mark Carroll retires.

“My commitment is to this position and ensuring members’ interests are at the forefront of PASA activities, but looking forward I would be open to moving into that role. I think I have the merit to consider that into the future,’’ he said.

Mr Burns said while there were many challenges for rank-and-file police in future years, a significant issue would be managing the increasing demand for services with available resources in the Covid environment.

While there have never been as many sworn officers and more recently Protective Security Officers, police resources are constantly stretched to the limit and officers are now often finding themselves taking on the duties of other emergency services workers – such as ferrying mental health patients and injured people to hospital because of the shortage of ambulances.

“And there is the strategic approach as to how the organisation runs its business and uses those resources most effectively,’’ he said.

Other challenges included increasing the longevity of a policing career, implementing modern rostering protocols, improving transparency of all selection processes and ensuring the balance of work/life flexibility to improve the welfare, health and wellbeing of police and their families.

“Our members are people before they are police and we need to remember that,’’ he said.