Government stall keeps cops in the dark over the top cop job, despite leak

THE Government will today formally announce the appointment of the new Police Commissioner, understood to be Jamie Chalker

Jamie Chalker is set to become the next Police Commissioner.

THE Government will today formally announce the appointment of the new Police Commissioner, understood to be Jamie Chalker.

The Government refused to confirm the appointment yesterday, despite it being leaked on Wednesday.

The move not to confirm the appointment or notify the police service before a public announcement has frustrated cops.

Territory cops, were also blindsided during Reece Kershaw’s shock resignation and announcement as the new Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police in July.

The NT Police Association commented on Chalker’s appointment on Facebook yesterday expressing disappointment at finding out through the news.

“Our members are disappointed this important news came before a formal announcement was made,” the statement read.

“We will make a further statement on the matter once Government formalise the new appointment.”

The official announcement is being made in Alice Springs.

Mr Chalker spent a considerable amount of time in Alice Springs as Assistant Commissioner of Regional Operations.

He has also worked remotely at Groote Eylandt, Hermannsburg, Papunya and Kalkaringi during his 20 plus year career in the NT Police.

Mr Chalker grew in Katherine before joining the force in 1994.

The well liked cop left the force when Reece Kershaw was made NT Police Commissioner and chief executive of NT Fire and Rescue and Emergency Services in April 2015.

He was then given the job as the boss of housing, despite a lack of experience in government department housing matters.

He has remained as the chief executive of housing since his departure from the force in 2016.

During his time in police force Mr Chalker was in charge of overseeing a change of police uniform colours.

He was also a drug squad detective and specialised in organised crime.

It’s understood contenders for the top job, including acting Police Commissioner Michael Murphy were told of the decision earlier this week.

Opposition Leader Gary Higgins said Mr Chalker’s experience as a cop in the Territory would play a critical role in the new position.

Mr Higgins said given the critical importance of this appointment, he would have expected it to be formally announced. “We wonder who in Government leaked this story before any formal announcement could be made,” he said.