NT Minister and Police Association trade blows over staffing numbers

Blows have been traded after the Police Minister accused the NTPA of “playing games with police numbers.”

Police Minister Brent Potter has accused the NT Police Association of spreading false information after its president “made a baseless and incorrect claim” about police numbers.

On Friday, NTPA President Nathan Finn claimed Alice Springs had three fewer officers than in February after the NT government pledged to bolster police numbers in the region. 

“It’s quite astounding that despite a significant investment by the federal government, the NT government has been unable to fulfil the commitment of 30 additional police for Central Australia, some 10 months on from the Prime Minister’s announcement,” Mr Finn said.

“In fact, we have three fewer officers in Alice Springs than in February, when the Prime Minister made that announcement – it takes seven months for a Constable to be fully trained.”

NTPA President Nathan Finn claims Alice Springs has less police officers than they had at the start of 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Finn said the Territory government was failing the Red Centre community. 

“This is a spectacular failure by the NT government, which is continuing to let down our hard working, dedicated members – and the community of Alice Springs,” he said.

“It’s no secret our entire police force is critically understaffed and chronically under resourced.

“That’s having a detrimental impact on our members and hindering their ability to cope with escalating crime, demand for service, and their ability to perform their duties safely and effectively.”

Police Minister Brent Potter rejected the claim and declared police numbers had increased.

“Mr Finn has made a baseless and incorrect claim about police numbers in Alice Springs,” he told NT News.

“Since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced additional funding for front line police in January, additional positions have been created with an actual increase of 11 sworn officers.”

Police Minister Brent Potter says police numbers have increased since January. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Potter said there was no evidence numbers had declined.

“The NTPA are playing games with police numbers – yet they don’t have the evidence to back up their claims,” he said.

“The question is, why would the NTPA spread false information about their own membership?”

Mr Potter maintained policing preparations in the Red Centre were adequate.

“The residents of Alice Springs deserve to feel safe, that’s why we announced the Alice Springs Summer Plan and the high visibility presence of police through Operation Drina,” he said.

“There will be 50 frontline police rostered on to Operation Drina from within the Central Australia region.”

Mr Finn fired back at Mr Potter’s “disappointing” rejection.

“The figure of three fewer police officers was provided to me during a formal briefing with the Acting Deputy Commissioner, on Thursday 30 November,” he told the NT News.

“The minister’s comments are incredibly disappointing to our membership.”

Upon hearing Mr Finn’s claim, Mr Potter immediately verified the numbers with the Police, Fire, and Emergency Service.

“NT PFES checked the number of police in Alice Springs and confirmed there are 11 more officers than when Prime Minister Albanese visited in January,” he said.

“I stand by this number.”

Despite the clash, Mr Potter said he would work with Mr Finn in the future.

“I will continue to work with the NTPA to support our frontline police,” he said.

“We will also work on providing the same sets of data so this confusion does not occur again.”

Originally published as NT Minister and Police Association trade blows over staffing numbers