Six South Australian police officers have been charged after a corruption probe into their alleged theft of liquor, tools and electronic goods.

A joint investigation involving the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) and SA Police Anti-Corruption Branch led to the arrests of six of the seven officers in the Sturt local service area in Adelaide's southern suburbs.

The six plain-clothes officers were bailed following charges of property-related theft and abuse of public office.

Police Commissioner Gary Burns told reporters the Anti-Corruption Branch started investigating early this year and formally notified the ICAC Commissioner of the matter.

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The officers - a sergeant and five senior constables - were part of Operation Mantle, an investigation into drug-related crime, and all had been suspended from duty, Mr Burns said.

Under Section 56 of ICAC legislation, ICAC Commissioner Bruce Lander authorised police to publish and discuss details of the arrests.

Mr Burns said he was disappointed at the allegations against the six officers and worried about the impact for the wider force.

"This is disappointing, the allegations are very disappointing," he said.

"We work on reputation, we need public confidence and public support so that actions any police officers involved in any criminality or offending does have an impact."

Confidence 'not undermined'

Police Association of SA president Mark Carroll said the case would not undermine public confidence in the force.

Charges include: A 53-year-old man from Darlington - abuse of public office and aggravated theft

A 53-year-old man from Darlington - abuse of public office and aggravated theft A 43-year-old man from Aberfoyle Park - two counts of abuse of public office, two counts of theft, and property damage

A 43-year-old man from Aberfoyle Park - two counts of abuse of public office, two counts of theft, and property damage A 38-year-old man from Woodcroft - two counts of abuse of public office, two counts of aggravated theft and property damage

A 38-year-old man from Woodcroft - two counts of abuse of public office, two counts of aggravated theft and property damage A 33-year-old man from Camden Park - abuse of public office and aggravated theft

A 33-year-old man from Camden Park - abuse of public office and aggravated theft A 31-year-old woman from Sellicks Beach - abuse of public office, aggravated theft and property damage

A 31-year-old woman from Sellicks Beach - abuse of public office, aggravated theft and property damage A 27-year-old woman from Woodcroft - abuse of public office and aggravated theft.

"It was uncovered by police, investigated by police, and that led to the joint operation with the ICAC," he said.

"I think that people would understand that this is an isolated incident and is not reflective of the vast majority of the police ... that work here in South Australia."

South Australia's ICAC formally started operating just over a year ago, with a range of strict and secretive legislative protocols.

It prompted Mr Lander to recommend late last year that the SA Government ease some secrecy provisions of the legislation.

The ICAC Commissioner said the act had been over-engineered regarding confidentiality.

An 'awful' breach of public trust

Premier Jay Weatherill said the corruption charges demonstrated the importance of the Commissioner.

"Good governments have nothing to hide and we wanted to make sure that there was the highest public trust in our most important institutions," he said.

"Of course, it's awful when we see these breaches of public trust, but I think that the public should have confidence that the ICAC is doing its work.

"Where it finds these instances of breaches of public integrity, it's rooting them out and bringing people to justice."

The officers are due to face court on December 19.