More than 30 PALIs to complete expedited training to become police constables

A new scheme to stem the shortage of police officers has been announced, but not everyone thinks it's a good idea. Read how it will work.

Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors will receive fast-tracked training to become constables to help battle the staffing shortage facing the NT Police Force.

PALIs currently work in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs at liquor outlets and their main role is to police alcohol purchases through the Banned Drinkers Register.

Police Minister Brent Potter said it was a way of keeping the PALIs in the industry while also combating the staffing shortage.

“We know that retaining our PALIs is difficult,” he said.

“We know that they want to do more outside of the bottle shop and we know that we need more frontline general duties police officers.

“So, the department has developed an expedited training program and there are over 30 PALIs that have said they are interested in being converted to police constables.”

Minister for Police Brent Potter announces the decision to fast track PALI officers to constables with police commissioner Michael Murphy. Picture: Jordan McCarthy

Mr Potter said, with reduced operational hours of bottle, especially in Alice Springs, it made sense to use the resources that were on offer.

“Before (PALIs) go to the bottle shop, (they can perform) social order and other policing duties as well as after.

“Currently once that time of closure comes to an end, those PALIs go off the road, so this is a better use of police resources. We know ultimately that we need more help on the front line.”

CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro said she did not believe splitting time across the two roles was viable for the officers.

“This is smoke and mirrors by Labor’s Brent Potter yet again,” she said.

“Whilst we support PALIs who want to become constables, Labor doesn’t have a plan to replace those PALIs on bottle shops which puts our community at risk.

“Brent Potter needs to explain whether PALIs are still being actively recruited and whether their secret plan is to replace PALIs with licensing inspectors?

“Like Brent Potter’s Territory Safety Division announcement, this is robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro believes the program will lead to a lack of resources at liquor outlets. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

There are currently 75 PALIs employed across the Territory with up to 36 constable training roles on offer and there are also 33 vacant PALI spots across the three regions

Police commissioner Michael Murphy said the initiative made sense for both the force and the community.

“This initiative is an important part of recruitment and retention for Northern Territory police,” he said.

“This is about repurposing the duties of PALIs into a more effective role for public safety.

“As the Minister highlighted, these auxiliaries are tied to bottle shops and close proximity to them during their operational hours.

“So this repurposing into constables gives them far more power, and makes them a more effective tool for public safety in a time when the community needs it.”

PALIs receive “very detailed” training before commencing their role. Mr Potter said. with the fast tracked training to constables set to “fill in the gaps” they require but haven’t yet received.

There was no announcement as to when the PALIs training is set to start or when they are expected to graduate.

Originally published as More than 30 PALIs to complete expedited training to become police constables