NT government under fire over police numbers as 22 officers leave in a month

OPPOSITION Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the recent loss of Territory police officers through resignation, retirement or transfer reinforces the dire state of staffing within the force.

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THE Territory has lost 22 police officers in just one month to resignation, retirement and transfers, which Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro says reinforces the dire state of staffing within the force.

In parliament this week, Ms Finocchiaro said the departures included 14 officers in just one fortnight.

“The average over the past six months is around 10 officers per month, that’s double the attrition rate before the August election,” the Opposition Leader said.

Ms Finocchiaro said too many inexperienced probationary constables were being sent to remote regions.

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“The NT government’s current police recruitment program sees all constable recruits sent out of Darwin, which means brand new officers are deployed to the regional centres of Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs,” she said

“It’s estimated there are around 100 probationary constables in Alice Springs and a majority of constables in Katherine are still on probation.

“We acknowledge the work by NT Police to ensure officers serve outside Darwin, but the lack of seniority in the regions is placing enormous pressure on these stations.

“Surely a balance can be struck which means a select number of recruits can be deployed to Darwin to ensure the number of probationary constables is evenly distributed across the Territory?”

NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro in Alice Springs.

NT Police Minister Nicole Manison defended the stationing of probationary constables in remote regions.

“When you join the NT Police you represent the whole of the Territory … it means serving outside of Darwin as well,” Ms Manison said.

Ms Finocchiaro said the exodus of officers was forcing police to work “mountains of overtime” but Ms Manison said overtime was a normal part of police duties.

She also said policing in remote stations was moving from two person to three person models to deal with fatigue management. She acknowledged that having just two officers per remote station made policing difficult when one of the officers was away.