NT Police Association survey results leave government in ‘untenable’ position

At least eight in 10 Territory police officers have considered quitting in the past year, a damning new union survey has indicated. Here’s why it’s left the government in an ‘untenable’ position.

More than 97 per cent of Territory police do not believe there are enough officers on the ground to fulfil their duties, a damning new union survey has revealed.

The NT Police Association said the results of its latest member survey, released on Friday, should be of “enormous concern” to the Territory government and Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker.

With more than 1200 respondents, about three-quarters of its membership, it also found 97 per cent of police did not feel supported by the government.

At least eight in 10 NTPA members have considered quitting in the past year, a new union survey has found. Picture: Glenn Campbell

More than 80 per cent of officers rated morale as low to very low, while eight in 10 had considered quitting in the past year.

NTPA president Paul McCue said the results should be “a wake-up call” for an urgent funding boost and structural changes.

“Clearly with our membership expressing such serious concerns regarding resourcing and morale, an urgent boost in funding for police and serious considerations for structural changes to the department, need to be made,” Mr McCue said.

“The fact 1024 surveyed officers said they’d considered an exit strategy in the past six to 12 months should be of enormous concern to government and the Commissioner of Police.

“That means 63 per cent of the entire NT Police force has considered leaving the job.

NTPA president Paul McCue said the latest police union survey should demand urgent action from the government. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

“If that’s not the wake up call for the government to take urgent action, I don’t know what is.”

Mr McCue said he feared the Territory would lose out to interstate recruitment drives “actively” targeting NT police.

The union claims the Territory is on track to lose at least 160 officers each year as ‘woeful’ wage negotiations drag on, with officers waiting more than 18 months for an increase.

Police Minister Kate Worden said she had sought a briefing with NTPA to go through the ‘disappointing’ results. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Police Minister Kate Worden would not answer specific questions on when a new offer would be made.

“I saw results from the NTPA Survey for the first time while taking part in media (Friday) morning,” she said.

“As Minister for Police, the initial results I have seen are disappointing and indicate that there is, as there always is, a lot of work to be done.

“I have sought a briefing from the NTPA and President Paul McCue to properly go through results from the survey, to determine the nature of these results, and establish how to better assist our hard working police officers.”

CLP Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the Fyles government’s relationship with police was beyond repair. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the results left the government and Police Minister in an “untenable” position.

“We now have a police crisis that requires immediate attention,” she said.

“Today in response to the (NTPA) survey Natasha Fyles needs to do three things.

“She needs to sack Kate Worden as a failed police minister, she needs to call an immediate inquiry into our police force, and she needs an immediate plan for how they’re going to strengthen laws to better protect the community and our police force.”

Ms Finocchiaro said it had been more than a decade since a comprehensive review into policing was held.

“The CLP has called for an urgent inquiry into our police force several times in the parliament,” she said.

“On five occasions, Natasha Fyles and her government have voted us down.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said Ms Worden was “hard working” and had her full support.

“We are a government that is delivering on our commitment to protect and support our hardworking police and emergency workers,” she said.

“We are addressing police mental health and wellbeing, and have delivered stronger protection for all our first responders against the disgusting and dangerous practice of spitting.

“We have increased the police budget by $120m (compared to the previous budget) – we will continue to work with our police on the support they need to continue to keep our community safe.”