Grant Stevens ends four decades on the force in headquarters ceremony

South Australia's police commissioner has been farewelled with a guard of honour at the agency's headquarters in Adelaide's CBD to mark the end of his tenure.

Mr Stevens, who will be officially sworn in as the 37th Governor of South Australia on December 9, is today formally concluding his time as the state's chief of police.

The 17-year-old boy who made a "spur of the moment" decision to join the police academy spent his next 44 years in the force, rising through the ranks to the top job in July 2015.

That career officially came to its end today with a ceremony outside SA Police Headquarters on Angas Street in Adelaide's CBD.

Dozens of police officers and other well-wishers lined the street — which was partially closed to traffic — as the outgoing commissioner was presented with a guard of honour.

The crowd cheered as Mr Stevens walked out onto a black platform and saluted.

A small marching band, along with several horses, paraded outside the building.

Mr Stevens's career as SA Police's top officer coincided with challenging times in the state's history including the Black Summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was handed extraordinary powers as state coordinator during those times, when difficult decisions were made about COVID lockdowns and restrictions.

His tenure was also marked by tragedy, when his son Charlie was struck and killed by a car in a hit-and-run at Schoolies week at Victor Harbor in 2023.

Speaking with 891 ABC Adelaide prior to his final day on Friday, Mr Stevens said he and his wife Emma were grateful for the messages of support received in the wake of their son's death and his appointment as the state's next governor.

"I'm genuinely in love with the South Australian community because of the sentiments they've shown to me over not just COVID but then when we lost Charlie and my family," he said.

"There was never a time when I would have said no to an invitation to take over as South Australia's 37th Governor.

"I'm really excited about the fact that I continue to be able to visit different communities in South Australia and probably more broadly now instead of just talking about community safety, road safety, crime, law and order, I get to talk to different people about things that they're doing in the community.

Supporting calls for civility

Mr Stevens will transition to the role of governor at a time of heightened attention on public figures in the wake of the alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines.

He said rising threats towards public figures was something he had already been subjected to in the aftermath of his son's death, which resulted in a conviction and prosecution.

"I received an absolutely vile message by email directly to me after we lost Charlie — just two days after — and that person was prosecuted and convicted," he said.

He agreed with comments made by Australia's Governor-General Sam Mostyn that the nation needed to exercise its "muscle of decency" and learn to "disagree well".

Mr Stevens said the example should be set by those in the public eye.

"I think it comes down to the people who have public profile or a platform in which they can express their views need to do so with a degree of responsibility, he said.

"I've always been quite balanced in terms of the commentary I make and I know that some things I say some people don't agree with or decisions I make. It's about how you do that.