Insurance blowout could see dozens of Territory teens hit by Junior Police Ranger suspension

The NT government has been called on to step in and help a highly-regarded police youth leadership program that is faced with suspension. Read what’s happening.

The Northern Territory’s popular Junior Police Ranger program has been suspended due to issues around liability insurance.

Founded in 1985, the program targets secondary school students and currently has about 70 participants.

Over four decades hundreds of Top End Year 8 to Year 10 students have graduated through the program.

Participants were notified informally of the decision earlier this week before a formal email was sent to parents detailing the reasons behind the shock move.

“Several weeks ago, the Police College was notified that our current insurers would not be renewing coverage for the JPR Program,” the email said.

“Since then, the JPR team, together with an insurance broker, has worked diligently to find an alternative provider, but unfortunately, no commercial insurer has been willing to take on the policy.

Junior Police Rangers Aimee Fuller Grae Saunders, 13, prepare to knock on doors to raise funds for the Red Cross in 1997.

“As a result, the Police College is now in the process of applying for self-insurance through the Northern Territory Finance and Treasury Department.

“While we are hopeful this will be approved, the process is expected to take several weeks. In the meantime, we have no choice but to temporarily suspend the program.

“We understand how disappointing and disruptive this news may be, and we want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and support during this time. We remain committed to restarting the program as soon as it is feasible to do so.”

The NTPFES website said the Junior Police Rangers develop leadership skills by providing activities “not generally available at schools”. Twenty Year 8 students annually are enrolled, with programs concluding at the end of Year 10.

The first two years are learning phases and the final year participants act as supervised instructors and mentors to the junior rangers.

Run out of the NT Police Academy, the Junior Police Rangers Land Association also owns the 22 hectare Goanna Park camping ground near Mount Bundey.

A parent whose child participates in the Junior Police Rangers program called on the NTG to “come to the party” and quickly resolve the liability insurance issues.

Junior Police Rangers help with the clean-up at Glenti. Picture: Supplied

He said a quick resolution is needed otherwise sponsorships and fundraising activities undertaken by the rangers will be at risk.

“We have an AUSTMAT exercise next week and the Fred’s Pass Show and Greek Glenti,” he said.

“If they cannot do that the organisers will fill the gap, and it is unlikely they will reserve these income generators for JPR in the future.”

“If it’s suspended or scrapped, what other programs are there for young people in the Territory?

The Government has to do more with young people than simply put them into detention or jail.”

The suspension of Police Junior Rangers comes after the NT Government reneged on a deal struck by the Labor administration to build a youth hub in Casuarina near the shopping centre.

Instead, it has opted to start from scratch and will develop the facility at Leanyer Water Park, adding up to five years to its eventual rollout.

The CLP Government said it is confident the self-insurance application will be successful, but is uncertain when it will be approved.

Originally published as Insurance blowout could see dozens of Territory teens hit by Junior Police Ranger suspension