Michael Murphy to apply for permanent NT Police Commissioner role

A decorated cop of 26 years says he’s ready to become the next Police Commissioner, despite the unabating demands in one of Australia’s most challenged environments.

Acting NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has confirmed he will apply for the top job. Picture: Floss Adams.

A police officer of 26 years says a rise in callous crime and domestic violence has not deterred him from taking on the top job.

Deputy Commissioner Michael Murphy has acted in Jamie Chalker’s absence since the Police Commissioner was asked to resign while on leave.

With Mr Chalker’s ‘retirement’ now settled outside court, Mr Murphy has confirmed he will apply to take on the role permanently.

“No, I don’t think it’s too difficult,” he said when asked – just one day after the alleged murder of a Bangladeshi student – about the responsibility the role entails.

“I’m well-trained, I understand policing very well, I’ve got a good team and we’ve got great officers across the frontline.”

Mr Murphy confirmed he would apply for the Police Commissioner contract just days before a Bangladeshi student was allegedly murdered in his bed in Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

While Mr Chalker took on the top job just days after Constable Zachary Rolfe fatally shot Kumanjayi Walker, Mr Murphy has also stepped up at a critical time for the Territory.

Alice Springs became the centre of a national media storm earlier this year for a spate of crime and alcohol-fuelled violence, while the Top End is reeling from three alleged murders in less than two months.

Anti-crime rallies have drawn thousands to Parliament House while the NT government has acted with snap bail reforms and boosted security measures.

‘Overwhelming’ number of domestic violence call-out

While Mr Murphy described recent events as “confronting”, he said domestic violence continued to be the number one issue for police.

“At the end of the day, we’re still seeing anywhere between 70 and 90 domestic violence assaults across the Territory, which is totally unacceptable,” he said.

“And when you look across Darwin, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Alice, the numbers are about the same but the population is totally different.”

The agency has more police than ever before, but Mr Murphy said it was under pressure.

“Right now, our recruitment is aggressive … and we’ve got over 1600 police officers servicing the community,” he said.

“But what we’re struggling with is the demand environment – the call for services is overwhelming.

“You go back 10 years, a joint emergency call centre would have 10,000 calls in a month.

“We’re upwards of 35,000 at the moment.”

A Sydney sparky’s rise to the top ranks

Originally a sparky from Sydney, Mr Murphy joined NT Police in 1997 seeking a career change.

His first posting was at Alice Springs – a place he would later return to many times for various sergeant and executive stints.

Mr Murphy also worked in Hermannsburg and Katherine in his early policing career.

Michael Murphy started his policing career in Alice Springs and was later promoted to the Southern Commander role. Picture: Supplied

In 2018, then Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw asked him to act in his role for six weeks.

“That turned into around six months … then I won the Deputy Commissioner’s role in December 2018.”

While Mr Murphy’s career has been decorated with an Australian Police Medal, National Medal and other awards, the moments that stay with him are ones many would try to bury.

“One of the profound moments of reflection is a death in custody in 2011 in Alice Springs,” he said.

“We had an Aboriginal man die in our cells.

“On reflection and a coronial review there were many areas of improvements.

“That was a really steep learning to say ‘how can we do better to make sure that we protect the people in our custody?’

“The vulnerability we see with Indigenous Territorians – some of the harms, the addictions and domestic violence.

“There’s really important work we have to do … that’s something that’s with me everyday.”

Top brass to ‘be alive’ to traumas on the frontline

If granted the next four-year Police Commissioner contract, Mr Murphy said he would continue trying to improve strained relationships between the executive and the frontline.

He said the top brass needed to “be alive” to the trauma first responders see.

“It’s really important that even as the boss, you’ve got access to everyone,” he said.

“Make sure that you understand what challenges they’re facing.

Michael Murphy has promised to be accessible to everyone in the frontline if he was to take on the role of Police Commissioner.

“When an officer is assaulted or hurt whilst they’re performing their duty to protect someone, we’ve got to make sure they are all right.

“We’re 96 per cent (frontline) people – we need to care for our people.”

Mr Murphy said he visited each of the Territory’s 60 police stations after Covid lockdowns lifted.

Earlier in the pandemic, he called around to see if any remote officers needed anything.

“Everyone was okay, except for one station,” he said.

“Maningrida just wanted some KFC – so we bought some KFC, put it on the Airwing and they were very happy.”

The Territory’s way forward

Despite heading into a new era of challenges, Mr Murphy was positive about what the future could hold for the Territory.

“We’ve seen a decrease in Alice Springs since the January announcement,” he said.

“Domestic violence incidents dropped from the first month across December-January from about 530, down to about 350.

Mr Murphy said extra police and alcohol restrictions in Alice Springs had resulted in some respite for the town and its frontline. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

“We’ve seen youth disturbances drop from 149 to 43.

“We’ve seen property crime drop considerably, we’re seeing the amount of alcohol involved in assaults drop by 20 per cent.

“Whilst that’s saving time on a police response that allows us to invest in the engagement and the visibility.

“That reassurance for the public is making a difference.”

The Territory government has started a national recruitment process to find the next NT Police Commissioner and Fire and Emergency Services chief executive.

Mr Murphy is set to continue acting in the role until a new Commissioner is hired.

He is the only person who has publicly flagged their interest in applying.

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Originally published as Michael Murphy to apply for permanent NT Police Commissioner role