Dion Roche: NT Police officer named in court after stalking, harassment charges

The Northern Territory Police Force officer charged with stalking and harassment offences has had his charges mentioned in court for the first time.

NT Police Sergeant Dion Roche has been charged with unlawful stalking and two counts of Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Northern Territory Police Force officer charged with stalking and harassment offences has had his charges mentioned in court for the first time.

Dion Roche, 37, a police sergeant, was charged last month with unlawful harassment and two counts of using a carriage service to harass.

The latter two charges of using a carriage service to harass are Commonwealth offences.

No details of Sergeant Roche’s alleged offending were read onto the public record.

The defendant did not appear in person.

Defence lawyer Luke Officer told the court his client was in Adelaide.

Defence lawyer Luke Officer. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Officer requested a lengthy adjournment, first because he was about to embark on a stretch of annual leave, and second to conference with the prosecution in order to “resolve” differences.

Sergeant Roche’s charges were adjourned to August 14.

Mr Officer said if the matter resolved in a plea, his client would attend court in person, but if the August 14 date was a second mention, Sergeant Roche was unlikely to appear.

He is not under any bail conditions as he was charged via summons.

According to publicly available documents and prior media reporting, Sergeant Roche previously served as sergeant of Katherine Police and subsequently sergeant within the Police Standards Command.

It’s understood he graduated from the police academy and became a constable in 2009.

In a statement on May 31 revealing Sergeant Roche’s charges, NT Police said the officer was on paid leave.

The statement said Sergeant Roche’s charges were “currently under investigation by the Professional Standards Command” – the same division he was formerly attached to.