Territory police union responds to critical crime survey

The Territory’s police union has called for budget increases to be fast-tracked as members labour under the strain of domestic violence and call-out rates. Read what they said.

The Northern Territory Police Association has responded to a Property Council survey critical of police resourcing and effectiveness, acknowledging challenges maintaining frontline services and calling on government to speed-up the rollout of additional officers.

Acting NTPA president Lisa Bayliss said overwhelming instances of domestic violence and escalating emergency callouts were hurting outcomes.

“These figures aren’t surprising given the agency’s biggest issue is maintaining the frontline response,” Ms Bayliss said. “The reality is, we simply don’t have enough police to meet the current demand.

Acting NT Police Association president Lisa Bayliss.

“That’s why some stations can only manage one van on the road some nights, while attempting to respond to up to 60 domestic and family violence incidents. Add to that the escalating number of calls to the Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre – which can be more than 1500 in a 24-hour period – and it’s not hard to see why some members of the public can wait days for a police response.”

Ms Bayliss said JESCC callouts could almost hit 200,000 for the full financial year.

“The volume of calls to the JESCC is overwhelming the agency,” she said.

“In the Estimates reporting period July 1 2023 to March 31 2024, there were 149,979 calls to triple-0. Police Commissioner Michael Murphy told the hearings, using monthly averages, the number of triple-0 calls was expected to rise to 199,000 for the full financial year.

“That’s a 13 per cent increase from the previous reporting period and completely unsustainable.”

She blamed the Territory government for the “current state of crime”.

“It is a result of the NT government’s ongoing neglect of police resourcing, and poor policy settings – particularly around alcohol,” she said.

“While the addition of 200 officers above annual recruitment, including extra members for the JESCC is welcome, it will take some time before we will see the impact of these additional police.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler with NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy and Police Minister Brent Potter. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Our members need more than the promise of $570 million over five years, they need to see that money flowing quickly to ensure the JESCC is properly staffed to answer and dispatch emergency calls swiftly, and that operational police officers are available to respond to incidents without the current delays.

“The public should not wait hours or days for an urgent police response due to insufficient resources.

“The government and the Commissioner must also ensure the retention of experienced police officers is an absolute priority, which is why the NTPA continues to advocate for a commitment on a retention bonus for our members.”

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said her government’s “common sense approach” was delivering lower crime and improving community safety.

In addition to the extra cash, cops, CCTV and call centre operators she said her government had fully funded the Territory Safety Division, implemented two curfews, was investing in private security and funding Bizsecure.

“Reducing crime is my top priority and my government will work tirelessly to improve community safety right across the Territory,” she said.

The Property Council survey identified 69 per cent of respondents had experienced crime in the past 12 months.