NT police union take aim at Commissioner Jamie Chalker’s contract dispute
The NT police union says morale is only continuing to crumble, labelling the embattled Commissioner’s legal backing in contract crisis talks as ‘unacceptable’.
Northern Territory
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The Territory’s police union has hit out at its embattled Commissioner’s legal backing in contract crisis talks.
NT Police Association acting president Lisa Bayliss said “double standards” had allowed Jamie Chalker to hire high-profile interstate lawyers for mediation talks with the NT government.
It comes as Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she expected the matter to be resolved “in the next week or so”.
“He is seeking fast-tracked mediation using top lawyers, overseen by an interstate judge, while the members of the force are subjected to a protracted dismissal appeals process that can take up to two years just to get a determination,” Ms Bayliss said.
“Meanwhile, members can wait months, or even years for the outcome of an internal disciplinary investigation.
“These double standards are unacceptable and are causing ongoing harm to the morale and confidence of NT police officers.”
Ms Bayliss said in the past two years, more than a dozen dismissed police officers chose to resign instead of pursue a lengthy appeals process.
“If a member of the police force believes they have been unfairly dismissed, they do not get paid, they have no access to Fair Work, and have no legitimate recourse except to rely on the NT government to adequately resource the Tribunal to secure a hearing date – which could be two years after their termination,” she said.
“While we welcome a swift outcome to provide stability to our hardworking members, the rank and file of the NT Police Force deserve the same level of respect.”
Ms Bayliss also said NTPA members had “made it very clear” how they felt about their Commissioner, with 80 per cent of survey respondents indicating they lost confidence in him.
It comes as the Chief Minister suggests Mr Chalker’s future as the Territory’s top cop could be clarified in the coming days.
Natasha Fyles said she was “keen to see this resolved” after being asked about mediation talks between the two parties.
“I anticipate in the next week or so that will be achieved,” Ms Fyles said on Tuesday.
It comes after Mr Chalker’s lawyers on Sunday sought ‘urgent’ mediation with her government over his position.
However, Ms Fyles would not be drawn on whether the matter could be resolved by April 19, the date Mr Chalker was due to return from leave.
“As I said these are confidential negotiations being undertaken in good faith,” she said.
“I want to reassure, Northern Territory Police, Acting Commissioner Murphy and our police force are valued and there is strong leadership.”
A day after the embattled Commissioner’s lawyers sought ‘urgent’ mediation on the matter, Ms Fyles refused to comment on his position.
“As previously stated these are ongoing confidential negotiations which will not be had in the public arena,” Ms Fyles said on Monday.
“We are in negotiations with the Police Commissioner in good faith, while we continue to support our hardworking police force.”
Mr Chalker’s position has been up in the air since it was revealed the government had asked him to resign as his four-year contract comes up for renewal in May.
The Commissioner has since hired high-profile Sydney silk Arthur Moses SC and defamation specialist Rebekah Giles to represent him in talks with the Territory government.
“In order to attempt to resolve this unfortunate matter, the Commissioner has today proposed that a mediation take place between the legal representatives of the Northern Territory government and the legal representatives of the Commissioner, to be chaired by an eminent retired judge from an interstate jurisdiction,” he said in a statement prepared late last week.
“It is the desire of the Commissioner that this mediation take place as a matter of urgency.”
Mr Chalker said he remained “committed to the women and men of the Northern Territory Police Force as well as ensuring the safety of Territorians” as his contract approaches the four-year mark in November.
“It has always been the Commissioner’s intention to discharge the important functions of his office for the full term of his contract as well as seek a renewal of that contract to complete important reforms which he has implemented,” he said.
“The ongoing speculation in relation to the Commissioner is not in the interests of the brave women and men of the Northern Territory Police Force, or the public, let alone fair to a Commissioner who has been discharging his duties with integrity in the interests of the public.”
Last week, Ms Fyles said she had been having “in-good-faith conversations with the Police Commissioner around his tenure” but would not say if she still had confidence in him.
“As you would appreciate, these matters are private and of a confidential nature in the sense that they regard to his employment,” she said.
“I won’t go into those details other than to say ahead of his recorded tenure ending towards the end of this year, it is appropriate to have those conversations.
“As Chief Minister, I’m not afraid to have those conversations, particularly when it’s in the best interests of the Territory.
“I can absolutely assure every Territorian, no matter what decision I make, I respect taxpayer dollars, and those decisions are not made lightly.”
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