NT remote policing facilities and staffing need more funding, says NT Police Association

The NT Police Association wants to see remote policing given a facelift with upgraded facilities and proper staffing

Paul McCue, president of the NT Police Association wants to see remote policing supported with upgrades to facilities and proper staffing. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

The NT Police’s last attempt to introduce a relief pool for remote officers was a “dismal failure” and will not work unless properly backed, says NT Police Association president Paul McCue.

NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw announced last week a Territory relief pool would be created to ease rostering headaches at remote police stations.

Mr McCue said the idea failed the first time round, “because they never committed fully to it, and preferred staffing bottle shops over remote stations”.

Mr McCue said there had been a “significant shortage of fully staffed remote stations” for years.

“The concept would work and would be welcome, however our fear is where are the members going to come from, because at this time there is not a commitment to recruit more police to fill these remote relief pool positions.

“If they commit to the relief pool, which they appear to have, they must fully commit to it, and fund it properly.

“In addition, facilities must be upgraded to modern standards to continue to attract permanent officers to remote locations.”

Currently accommodation at some remote stations are converted dongas left over from Operation Themis during the Intervention in 2007. He said multiple reviews in 2001 and 2008 found remote policing needed to be improved including introducing a “remote policing model”, making several temporary stations permanent and creating a “standard for police levels in remote communities”.

Commonwealth funding for the Themis Station facilities dries up in 2022.

Police Minister Nicole Manison said the future loss in funding was something “we are considering as part of our planning”. NT Police Deputy Commissioner Operations, Michael Murphy said the NTPFES’ Strategy 2023 would include creating a 10-year remote policing strategy.

“The Territory Relief Pool, which is currently being considered, will see support officers based in Alice Springs and Darwin and possibly Katherine that provide a relief and support capacity to officers in our remote locations.

When not deployed in remote locations officers will focus on road policing.

Deputy Commissioner Murphy said the relief pool would be created through existing police positions.