Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson has been replaced as Wadeye top cop

A controversial Top End police station has a new officer in charge. Read what’s changed.

A supporter of an embattled senior NT police woman has called for balance when considering her legacy.

Former Wadeye top cop Erica Gibson has left the troubled community after two years and is now working out of Darwin.

In a statement to the NT News, police confirmed the professional move.

“Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson has been transferred to Darwin at her request, in line with the standard transfer process,” a police spokesman said.

“After serving two years at a remote locality, members are eligible to request a transfer to any geographical location in the NT. This is a member initiated transfer, not a management decision.

Acting Superintendent - Central Division Erica Gibson in Wadeye. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Acting Senior Sergeant Ian Young is currently relieving in the role. He is a highly experienced officer who was selected through an agency wide expression of interest process.”

In January the NT News reported representatives from Kardu Diminin, Wadeye’s traditional owners, had written to the NT Government and Police Commissioner Michael Murphy seeking Ms Gibson’s removal as officer in charge.

In 2022 the same group had written to the previous government requesting Ms Gibson not be appointed commissioner at Wadeye, about 420km west of Darwin.

Following receipt of the NT Police response to questions about Senior Sergeant Gibson’s transfer, an email was sent to the NT News from domestic violence survivor Holly Supple-Gurruwiwi, calling for balance in the presentation of Ms Gibson’s time as officer in charge at Wadeye.

Ms Gurruwiwi said Senior Sergeant Gibson saved her life when she and the officer lived in Nhulunbuy and that criticisms of her were unfair and gender-based.

“I write not as an observer, but as a survivor of domestic, family, and sexual violence,” Ms Supple-Gurruwiwi said.

“Erica Gibson is the woman who saved my life. She stood for me when others wouldn’t. She listened. She believed me. She acted when it mattered most. Erica’s integrity, compassion, and bravery have changed lives - including mine.”

Speaking later, Ms Supple-Gurruwiwi said Senior Sergeant Gibson was unfairly targeted by male critics at Nhulunbuy.

“She could write an encyclopaedia on community policing,” Ms Supple-Gurruwiwi said. “I would like to know the gender and nationality of the people who wrote that letter (of complaint about Ms Gibson).”

Originally published as Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson has been replaced as Wadeye top cop