Police union boss to retire
SA’s Police Association president will step down in July after more than three decades with the union.
Mark Carroll will retire as President of the police union from 5 July. Photo: YouTube.
Mark Carroll said today that he was leaving the role he had held since 2008.
In a video statement, Carroll said he joined the Police Association in 1991 as a delegate. He was later elected president and re-elected to the role four times.
Recently, Carroll has been vocal about the state government’s approach to moving the Thebarton police barracks to make room for a new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
He said the decision to shift the Mounted Police Unit to Gepps Cross was “one of the most cynical, self-serving actions I’ve ever seen from an SA government”.
He also accused the government of being willing to “dud everyone” to protect its Adelaide MP from blowback about the first choice of site on city park lands, after it passed special legislation giving police the right to choose such a site.
The union has also had at-times fractious relationship with SA Police management over recruitment, retention and policy.
Today, Carroll said he made the choice to step away “despite my love of the job, the people, and the broader police labour movement”.
“The knowledge, expertise and application of the Association staff I’ve worked closest with, particularly in recent years, have been equal to the best in any organisation,” he said.
“The smooth functioning of our office over the past 20-plus years is down to some of the most competent and loyal admin operators in the business.
“Of course, we’d never have achieved anything without the support, the unity and the understanding of you – the members.”
Carroll added that “major wins in enterprise bargaining” were highlights during his tenure.
“I’ll never forget campaigns like Protect our Cops in 2015 when we fought the government and won over return to work legislation – I still admire the heroes of that campaign,” he said.
“It will now be up to you to choose a new President, and it’s an important role. The duties and function of the President essentially make him or her the chief executive officer of the organisation.
“I’m satisfied that I will leave the association in financial strength and with a record of wins in enterprise bargaining and other battles.”
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