The recruitment campaign will help remedy staffing issues in SA’s police service. Photo: SA Budget.
South Australia has launched a campaign to drive police security officer (PSO) applications as part of the state’s efforts to bring in 100 of the officers in the next year.
PSOs take part in a range of duties across the state, such as providing security at government buildings, schools and major public events, monitoring CCTV, prisoner guarding and transport.
In addition, PSOs contribute to the state’s counter-terrorism strategy.
The government campaign to recruit more officers includes 30-second and 15-second TVC, radio, digital and outdoor advertisements highlighting the benefits of the role:
- A secure career with opportunities for work in a range of environments
- Paid training at the South Australian Police Academy
- Community and teamwork
- Opportunity to gain lifelong skills.
“Becoming a PSO is a varied and exciting role — and one I hope that young people will consider as a long-term career of choice,” Minister for Police Blair Boyer said.
“PSOs provide a critical role in supporting our frontline officers in protecting the community, with an array of different opportunities for those who choose to take on this important job.”
The recruitment drive is part of a larger investment by the government in the state’s police forces, which has included funding for more officers, improved facilities for police and modernised equipment.
A further $334 million has been committed to support SA Police, including $82 million to hire 189 PSOs.
The latest police data indicates that the rates of police officers leaving the force are falling.
In 2025-26, retirements and resignations fell to 109, down from 228 the year before, while in 2023-24 it was 254 and in 2022-23 263. The government hopes that the staffing issues in the police service have begun to improve.
In the past financial year, more than 3000 South Australians applied to join the police force, while 264 officers were sworn in.
“We are committed to protecting the community, which is why there has been an unprecedented investment in our police and resources,” Mr Boyer said.
“South Australia is one of the safest places to live and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that remains the case.”
