NT Police at remote stations struggling to take leave because of personnel shortage

TERRITORY bush cops are accruing huge leave balances, but can’t take time off because they don’t have the staff to relieve them

Northern Territory Police Association president Paul McCue says many officers in remote stations can’t take leave because there isn’t enough staff to relieve them. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

TERRITORY bush cops are accruing huge leave balances, but can’t take time off because they don’t have the staff to relieve them.

Cops in remote areas are entitled to an extra week of annual leave to compensate them for the additional challenges of working in the bush.

But a shortage of officers means their bosses can’t find the extra staff to cover for them while they go on holidays, according to Northern Territory Police Association president Paul McCue.

“Some stations such as Maningrida, where there’s supposed to be six police officers, they’re operating with just two and there’s not enough police for them to go on leave,” he said.

“It’s the same with Alice Springs, where you’ve got all those police tied up on bottle shops, and you’ve got some remote stations where some people are left on their own.”

The staff shortage also makes it difficult for police officers to attend training courses, Mr McCue said.

Emergency services personnel, including police officers, have the most accrued leave of all NT public servants.

According to a report by the NT Auditor-General, a quarter of emergency services workers had racked up more than 12 weeks of leave last year. The total leave accrued left the department with a $16.6 million liability.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner didn’t answer questions about how many more remote police were needed, but said an extra 90 officers were expected across the NT by the end of May.

“The 30 fast-tracked experienced officers for Southern Command will help with any shortages in Central Australia, when they hit the ground in April,” he said.

Opposition Leader Gary Higgins said the only thing which would help relieve the burden on remote police was more cops in the bush.

“They need to be honest and say how are we going to address it, how are we going to actually backfill these positions when these police actually take leave,” Mr Higgins said.