NT Police gets $20m to bolster force amid COVID-19 pressures, as Commissioner Jamie Chalker warns staff are already stretched

THE NT’s stretched and overworked police force will get a $20 million boost to hire 131 extra cops and support staff — but fresh officers won’t be on the ground in time for the staffing shortage that is about to hit.

• NT to spend $20 million to urgently hire 131 cops and staff

THE NT’s stretched and overworked police force will get a $20 million boost to hire 131 extra cops and support staff — but fresh officers won’t be on the ground in time for the staffing shortage that is about to hit.

The Australian Federal Police is due to withdraw 72 of its 102 officers deployed to the NT on Friday, leaving just 30 staff to assist NT Police guard the Territory’s vast border to ensure coronavirus stays out.

Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said “a lot” had been done to prepare for the shortfall, but signalled he could no longer sustain the ongoing operational needs of coronavirus with the number of staff he currently had, or give them proper time off, with officers already working 12-hour days.

NT Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie, Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker and Chief Minister Michael Gunner address the media about the $20 million funding announcement. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner yesterday announced $20 million of new funding to hire and train 66 additional frontline constables, 30 Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALO), 10 Aboriginal Community Police Officers and 25 support staff, including policy and administrative support, college support and additional welfare support for officers.

The government will also buy 20 extra vehicles to assist with operational requirements.

Mr Chalker said recruit training would be “accelerated” with hopes the first batch would be on the ground before the end of the year.

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The NT Police Association, welcoming the funding, called on the government to provide an “urgent breakdown” of where the $20 million would go, to ensure there was enough funding for what had been promised.

Mr Gunner is yet to disclose where the government will find $20 million, apart from saying more would be revealed on Tuesday, when the fiscal outlook was due to be released.

NTPA president Paul McCue said the commitment of additional police must be supported by all sides of politics, regardless of whether there was a change in government in August.