All applications for post-graduate research, or other related use of SAPOL information, must be approved through the South Australia Police Research and Survey Coordination Committee (RSCC). This process covers all types of research proposals including requests for data held on police systems and access to interview or survey police officers or police staff (excluding Freedom of Information requests).

The RSCC has the role of evaluating research proposals to decide whether or not they comply with organisational requirements for acceptance. This allows SAPOL to take an organised and systematic approach to the whole research and project process.

Application Process

To apply to conduct research utilising SAPOL information, a 'Researcher Information Pack' must be completed by all applicants. It contains a template which outlines the information required for a submission of a research proposal to SAPOL.

Researcher Information Pack

Please send your completed research proposal via email to SAPOL.ResearchCommittee@police.sa.gov.au or post to:

Research & Survey Coordination Committee
C/O-Officer in Charge, Strategic Projects and Innovation Section
South Australia Police
GPO Box 1539
Adelaide SA 5001

The RSCC meets on a regular basis to consider applications and will advise researchers of the outcome of their application in writing.

Conditions of Approval

Researchers must be aware that the sharing of any findings from the research (including the publication of the research report and/or presentations & conferences) to a third party must be approved in writing by the SA Police RSCC.

The Researcher Information Pack (as provided above) contains information on the conditions that apply to researchers, should an application be approved.