New Territory top cop revealed

THE Territory’s new top cop can be revealed as a long-term Territorian.

Jamie Chalker will be named as the Territory’s new police commissioner on Thursday

THE Territory’s new top cop can be revealed as a long-term Territorian.

Jamie Chalker will be appointed the Territory’s new Police Commissioner.

Chalker is set to be officially announced as the new police and fireys boss at a press conference in Alice Springs on Thursday.

Mr Chalker, who has more than 20 years under his belt as a Territory police officer, has spent the past three years as the chief executive of the Housing Department.

Mr Chalker left the force after former Commissioner Reece Kershaw was appointed to the top job.

Jamie Chalker on the job in 2016

The NT News understands unsuccessful candidates, which included Acting Commissioner Michael Murphy and Acting Deputy Commissioner Narelle Beer, were told today.

The role became available after the shock resignation of Reece Kershaw, who left to take up the job of commissioner of the Australian Federal Police.

A spokesman for Chief Minister Michael Gunner would not comment to the NT News, nor would confirm Mr Chalker’s appointment.

Mr Chalker has worked across the Territory in a range of roles right up to Acting Deputy Commissioner.

Mr Chalker was favoured by former chief minister Adam Giles but then ended up on the outer, which was when he took up the housing department role.

He is well liked by the Gunner Government and senior bureaucrats, having had the opportunity to work closely with them over the last three years.

Born in Katherine, Mr Chalker has spent time in the remote communities of Groote Eylandt, Hermannsburg, Papunya and Kalkaringi, placing him in a good position to understand the rigors of working remotely with finite resources.

NT Police Association president Paul McCue has previously voiced the association’s desire for the new commissioner to have had extensive experience in policing across the NT.

“The Northern Territory Police Force requires a Commissioner who has members’ health, safety and wellbeing at the forefront of their mind, and can bring extensive Territory Policing experience to the role,” he said.

“A focus on safety, staffing levels and ensuring change management is undertaken through effective consultation with both the NTPA and our members must be a priority for the new Commissioner of the Northern Territory Police Force.”