South Australia Police has launched the Security Response Section (SRS), which will provide a highly visible police presence to ensure public safety in vulnerable locations such as crowded places and major events.
This new specialist section is an extra layer of protection for South Australians at large events and where large crowds gather. They are focused on prevention and response to terrorism related incidents, domestic events of a violent nature and safely managing major events in South Australia.
The presence of SRS will be routine at crowded places - it will not be an indicator that there is a specific danger or threat. Their presence is as much about prevention as it is to respond to an incident should it occur. You can expect to see them at places like the Adelaide Railway Station, Adelaide Oval, Central Market, and Rundle Mall.
SRS officers will look different to general duties police officers - they will wear ballistic vests and carry rifles when on duty. Other equipment carried by SRS officers include a pistol, taser, pepper spray, baton, helmet and radio.
The SRS will complement the existing capability provided by our frontline and specialist resources.
They will be on the ground, ready and equipped to act swiftly and expertly should a critical incident occur, and are highly trained in the use of all their tactical options and in the safe handling and use of firearms.
South Australia Police want the community to feel reassured about their safety and officers will be happy to engage with the public in order to help people understand their role within the community.
Watch the video to learn more about the Security Response Section.
The world has changed and we know from incidents abroad and interstate that there are people in our community who wish to cause us harm, particularly in crowded places. The carriage of this equipment is about public safety, our ability to deter, prevent and respond to these incidents if they were to occur. The equipment gives police the quickest and safest way of protecting the public against this type of threat.
It is important to remember that these officers have excellent experience in a wide range of policing. SRS officers will be there to assist the public in almost any circumstances. The difference is that they will be equipped differently to other police so that we can respond to a broader range of critical incidents quickly and with the right capability.
SRS is a section that is trained and equipped to fulfill a specific capability within SAPOL. It’s like asking why general patrol officers also don’t have horses like the mounted unit do - they’re all different, specialised areas which have equipment tailored to their specific role and the skillset to use that equipment.
It is important to know that SRS members have gone through a significant selection and qualification process. SRS officers are highly trained in the use of all their tactical options and in the safe handling and use of firearms.
SRS officers go through an intensive and specialised training program over and above their general police training. After a two-day aptitude and fitness assessment, they complete a further six weeks of job specific training to enhance their skills as an SRS member. This includes enhanced first aid training, communication skills, weapon handling, tactical shooting and movement as well as techniques utilised to deescalate situations.
Ongoing training and capability development will be undertaken in this role to ensure that we have the best capability to respond to critical incidents and resolve them safely.
Our deployment priorities are based around events, intelligence, current threat levels and the use of crowded places.
Every shift the SRS will deploy teams focusing on major events, crowded places, and other vulnerable locations. The SRS will deploy into areas so that they can support general policing with the safe management of critical incidents.
The Security Response Section is an extra layer of protection for South Australians at large events and where large crowds gather - on the ground, ready and equipped to act swiftly and expertly should a critical incident occur.
Our presence is intended to keep the community safe and to reassure them that they are safe. If you see us when we are out on patrol then please come and say “hi” and ask us about our role. We want people to understand our role, to understand this is about safer outcomes for the people of South Australia and SAPOL personnel.
In the unlikely event there is an incident, please follow our instructions carefully.