South Australia's police force will recruit equal numbers of men and women from next year.

Key points: SA Police currently 25 per cent female

SA Police currently 25 per cent female Recruitment has been about 70 per cent men for some years

Recruitment has been about 70 per cent men for some years From 2016, women will be 50 per cent of recruits

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said he was keen for the force to better reflect the community it served.

"This gender balance will be more representative, given that the community is about 50.8 per cent female and 49.2 per cent male," he said.

"The benefits of achieving a gender-balanced recruitment process are many and include fairness, opportunity and enhanced organisational performance."

Mr Stevens expressed confidence the quota could be met without any lowering of standards.

Of the 116 police cadets recruited this year, 80 were men.

The commissioner said that 70/30 recruitment had been relatively steady for some years and the current force was about 25 per cent women.

"I am pleased [the force] has a large number of dedicated, professional female officers but we can do better," he said.

Equal Opportunity Commissioner Anne Gale said the SA police force was sending a very strong message that it was serious about improving gender equity.

"Setting a 50/50 recruitment quota will significantly increase the 'pipeline' of future female leaders," she said.

The Police Commissioner also promised to ensure gender equity in specific areas such as working groups, officer courses and internal committees.

South Australia's police women were the first in the Commonwealth to win equal pay and this month marks the centenary of women joining SA Police.