NT leaders respond to Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker’s departure
A Labor politician and former Territory police officer says Commissioner Jamie Chalker’s departure offers the rank and file a chance to ‘recuperate from a tragic couple of years’.
Northern Territory
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Member for Blain Mark Turner says the early departure of Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker will result in “calm and stability” for the rank and file after two years of controversies involving the force.
Mr Chalker has officially stepped down, with a confidential settlement reached between his high-profile lawyers and the Territory government’s legal representatives.
Mr Turner, himself a former Territory cop, also threw his support behind a potential contender for the role.
“We now look forward to a period of calm and stability that the rank and file desperately need to recuperate from a tragic couple of years,” Mr Turner said.
“This period has seen the still-raw deaths of numerous colleagues, a mental health crisis affecting police officers and their families ... and a disconnect between the frontline and senior management.
“All of these challenges persist despite record investments in the agency.”
Mr Turner said Deputy Commissioner Michael Murphy had his “unequivocal support” in his position as Acting Commissioner.
“When I ruptured a tendon arresting a DV offender in Katherine and was taken to Darwin for surgery, Mr Murphy visited my family and I in the hospital,” Mr Turner said.
“His visit mattered to us — it speaks volumes about the care and support our police force needs to return to.
“I hope he will consider applying for the long-term leadership of the agency, along with what I imagine will be an excellent list of candidates.”
Earlier, the police union called for a transparent, “people first” approach in their next Commissioner after Mr Chalker departed the role as top cop.
NT Police Association president Paul McCue said the first priority for the next police commissioner should be ensuring enough police are on the streets to meet demand.
Mr McCue said 97 per cent of the union’s surveyed members believe there are too few police and “struggle under the burden of insufficient staffing across the Territory”.
“The next Commissioner must also address the disastrous 10 per cent plus attrition rate we have seen since late 2019, initiate immediate steps to engage with, and stop our experienced members leaving, and reconnect with many of those who have left in recent years to determine what can be done to reappoint them to our ranks,” Mr McCue said.
“(They) must have a people first approach, one where transparency, fairness and merit-based selection is a priority, coupled with a focus on support and wellbeing.”
Mr McCue also pointed to the importance of a new discipline system that is “timely and reduces harm to those involved”.
It comes after the union hit out at Mr Chalker’s move to hire high-profile interstate lawyers in his employment dispute, while other members faced “a protracted dismissal appeals process that can take up to two years”.
CLP Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the confidential settlement was a “PR problem pay out” that would cost Territorians.
She said it was another mess made by Natasha Fyles’ government.
“This whole process has been mismanaged and yet again the taxpayer will foot the bill,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“Natasha Fyles needs to front up to taxpayers and tell them how much she paid.
“Just like the Howard Springs debacle we’re seeing smoke and mirrors when it comes to
the true cost of an inexperienced Chief Minister making poor decisions.”
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has maintained negotiations with Mr Chalker were held in “good faith”.
“I certainly hear the frustrations that people have felt that I’ve been repetitive over the last few weeks and around the matter being settled in a confidential nature,” she said on Sunday.
“But I always act in the best interest of Territorians and also very respectful to taxpayer dollars.
“Mr Chalker was entitled to a number of financial matters and all of that has been settled.
“Although I have been involved, in terms of the financial matters they have been at arm’s length from me as Chief Minister so that we can make sure that we’re meeting government’s guidelines around those types of matters.”
Acting NT Police commissioner Michael Murphy thanked Mr Chalker for his service across 25 years.
“Mr Chalker led this agency through the Territory’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and several natural disasters,” he said.
“On behalf of the agency, I want to thank Mr Chalker for his commitment and dedication.
“The NT Government will begin recruiting for the next Commissioner and CEO shortly.
“Territorians can be assured that the women and men of NTPFES remain committed to their duties and will continue to serve and protect the community.
“We wish Mr Chalker and his family all the best for the next chapter of their lives.”
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