Thinning NT Police ranks ‘losing experience’ as attrition spikes

The Northern Territory Police Association has expressed fears over falling levels of experience within the ranks of the force, after a stunning spike in attrition.

ATTRITION in the ranks of the Northern Territory’s Police Force has nearly doubled, according to the organisation’s annual report.

The report, tabled on Tuesday, showed attrition hit 8.51 per cent in 2020-21, up from 4.53 per cent in 2019-20 and 4.66 per cent in 2018-19.

NT Police Association (NTPA) president Paul McCue said the results reflected concerns raised by officers during a survey by the organisation released in September.

The survey showed 60 per cent of current officers were in the process or considering applying for work elsewhere.

“Figures in the NT PFES annual report reflect the concerns of our members who indicated in our survey they were concerned about the number of police on the Force,” Mr McCue said.

“Our members remain concerned about the loss of experience from within the ranks.”

Police Minister Nicole Manison said the force was hiring well above attrition. Picture Glenn Campbell

Attrition among Aboriginal Community Police Officers went from 2.65 per cent to 10.3 per cent between 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Police Minister Nicole Manison defended the poor result, saying a number of constables and frontline auxiliaries had recently graduated or were coming up to graduation.

“We will always back our hardworking police and the amazing job that they do across the Territory, especially going above and beyond throughout the pandemic,” Ms Manison said.

“Under a Territory Labor Government we have a record police budget, record numbers and we are recruiting well above attrition rates.

“We have provided $20 Million in additional funding, to recruit 66 additional constables to specifically support Covid Operations.

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