Alarm raised over downsized school-based police program

THE NT Council of Government Schools has raised “serious concerns” after only four of the NT Police’s 13 school-based cops returned to work with students in term one

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THE NT Council of Government Schools has raised “serious concerns” after only four of the NT Police’s 13 school-based cops returned to work with students in term one.

President Tabby Fudge said she was alarmed only three school-based police were currently servicing four schools in the Darwin and Palmerston region, along with one in Katherine that has only recently returned.

Before COVID hit, the program had 13 cops across 10 schools, but most police have still not returned despite being taken off border patrols.

“The absence of police in our schools has seen an increase in undesirable behaviours,” Ms Fudge said.

“We are aware of many situations previously diffused by the presence of school-based police which have escalated into unsafe situations.”

The NT News understands the government is developing plans to extend the program by involving police auxiliaries.

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Police Minister Nicole Manison said she wants 13 officers back at schools from term two during question time in parliament last week.

“We need to have qualified police officers as they are very important, but … we are looking at how we might be able to incorporate auxiliaries into that model too,” she said.

NT Police Association president Paul McCue criticised the idea and said expanding police auxiliaries current roles and putting them in schools to “provide cheap policing” for the government was not the answer.

“There are clear legislated requirements for both the government and the Commissioner of Police to undertake prior to consideration of amending the Police Auxiliary Scheme,” he said.

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“Any attempt or action to do this outside of the legislated framework would result in the lodgement of a formal dispute with the government and the Commissioner of Police.”

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