New top NT cop rules out inquiry, but admits to being on ‘job for a mate’ interview panel
Questions remained unanswered as the Territory’s new top cop met the media. Read what happened.
Northern Territory
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Acting Commissioner Martin Dole, the Northern Territory’s new top cop, was on the same interview panel that ultimately forced the ouster of his predecessor, Michael Murphy, as questions continue to swirl around NT police recruitment and promotion.
Mr Dole confirmed that he was on the same interview panel as former commissioner Murphy that was the subject of a damning ICAC inquiry. Mr Murphy is currently on leave pending review of his contract.
Mr Dole, who was appointed acting Commissioner on Saturday, said he was one of three panel members who interviewed prospective candidates along with Mr Murphy and a senior public servant.
Adding to questions about the integrity of the NT’s police recruitment processes, Mr Dole was also unable to explain how he was appointed to the deputy commissioner’s role after not originally applying for the role during a cancelled selection process.
Acting Commissioner Dole confirmed on Monday afternoon he had been on the contentious selection panel that brought Mr Murphy’s career undone.
“I can confirm that I was part of the selection panel that was convened and made recommendations to the Minister for three vacant Assistant Commissioner roles early last year as the acting Deputy Commissioner,” Mr Dole said.
“At the time, it was totally appropriate that I was on that panel. The panel interviewed a total of six applicants, and they were all known to the panel.
“The panel then made recommendations to the minister and three applicants were appointed in accordance with the Police Administration Act.”
Mr Dole said that as a senior executive of the Northern Territory police force, it was “reasonable and appropriate” for him to serve on the panel and to referee applicants.
“I was listed as a referee for more than one of the applicants,” he said. “I did not provide a personal reference to any applicant.”
He was more tight-lipped when questioned about his recruitment to deputy commissioner in May 2024, after not originally applying for the position. He was appointed after the original recruitment process which the NT News had received a number of applications, was scrapped.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment on that,” he said.
Asked why he hadn’t applied first time, but did when the application process was relaunched,
He ruled out an inquiry into police recruitment and ruled out rescinding appointments made by former Commissioner Murphy, although he did reference turmoil at the top of NT Police, which has had three commissioners since 2023 and is still reeling from the jailing of former commissioner John McRoberts.
“We’ve had a tumultuous decade in relation to leadership in the Northern Territory police force, but (officers) are focused on continuing to do their jobs and keep the community safe.
On Sunday, chief minister Lia Finocchiaro said she did not know whether Mr Dole had been on the same panel as Mr Murphy but played down the impacts of any conflict if he was.
“I’m not aware of who was on that interview panel,” she said.
“Certainly, what I have in front of me is an operation Apollo statement by the ICAC and it’s made very clear, as has been identified by Mr Murphy, that it was the police commissioner whose conflict of interest wasn’t managed appropriately.”
Earlier on Monday, Police Association president Nathan Finn called for an investigation into leadership and promotion into NT Police.
“They need to review that and have an investigation into what’s happening and how widespread this is,” Mr Finn said. “If that leads to an inquiry into the police force or a Royal Commission into the police force, so be it. It needs to happen.
“Our members need that trust within the system to make sure that they’re supported, to do the best possible job they can with the police.”
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