NT police officer Neil Mellon charged over 31 offences, due to face court on September 22

Details have emerged about the serious charges one of the NT’s most decorated cops is facing as his illustrious service history is explained. Find out what is alleged.

THE corruption and police watchdog will oversee an investigation into a Territory top cop over accusations he conspired to destroy evidence in a major crash.

Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon has been charged with 31 offences, including destroying evidence and attempting to pervert the course of justice in an ongoing major crash investigation.

After 27 years with the force, Sgt Mellon was arrested while walking into a Darwin police station on Thursday morning.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Road Safety Michael White addressed media on Friday to confirming a 47-year-old acting Senior Sergeant had been charged.

Mr White, who would not confirm the name of the officer, said the 47-year-old was arrested as he walked into a Darwin police station on Thursday morning.

He said a search warrant was executed at his home, where illegal wildlife, fireworks, and firearms were allegedly seized.

Mr White a major crash in Feburary had triggered the six month investigation against the top cop.

NT Police Tactical Response Group Sergeant Neil Mellon has been awarded Australian Police Medals for Australia Day for their service over the years. Picture: Justin Kennedy

Mr White said the alleged actions of the officer “undermined the integrity of the Northern Territory Police and the community of the Northern Territory”.

“The matter is in relation to the damage and mistrust of his position within the police force and providing a quality service to the community.”

Mr White said support was being provided to his family and his colleagues “because it is a very disappointing, upsetting and frustrating event”.

Mr White said he was leading the investigation into the senior cop, but the internal investigation would be watched over by independent agencies.

“The matter has been referred to the ICAC and the Ombudsman to make sure that there is oversight,” he said.

“It is a significant piece of work that has been under review by a number of crime detectives and we continue to investigate these matters that have been identified,” he said.

Sgt Mellon was suspended without pay, granted bail, and is due to appear at Darwin Local Court on September 22.

He was charged with unlawfully accessing data, disclosing confidential information, destruction of evidence, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and obtain benefit by deception.

He was also charged with possessing fireworks, prohibited weapons, and an unregistered firearm, manufacturing prohibited weapons, failing to meet storage requirements, interfering with protected wildlife and stealing.

Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon joined NT Police in 1995 and worked the beat in Alice Springs and Darwin on general duties, before serving at the Police Training College.

Sgt Mellon was also the longest serving member of the elite Territory Response Group.

He had served 15 years with the emergency squad, which is called on to respond to civil unrest in communities, outstanding offender operations, surveillance and assisting with search warrants.

Sgt Mellon has assisted in high profile rescues and missing persons searches, including from croc-inhabited waters and the removal of a WWII bomb from Rapid Creek beach in 2012.

In this role, Sgt Mellon was entrusted to protect visiting dignitaries, including the Dalai Lama and former US President Barack Obama.

US President Barack Obama in Darwin. Picture: Alex Coppel

In 2011, Sgt Mellon was part of the recovery of an eight-year-old Aboriginal boy’s body from a waterhole at Borroloola.

In 2016, Sgt Mellon was awarded for “outstanding professionalism, bravery and ­exceptional operational support” for his role in the rescue of a tourist who fell while climbing Uluru.

He was awarded the Australian Police Medal as part of the Australia Day Honours in 2019.

“Throughout his time with the TRG he has been involved in a range of tactical operations, from body retrievals in dangerous situations, through to shootings and searching for suspected murderers,” a police spokesman said in 2019.

“Sergeant Mellon has displayed unwavering dedication to duty and continued commitment to our community,” a spokesman said in 2019.

NT Police Tactical Response Group Sergeant Neil Mellon has been awarded Australian Police Medals for Australia Day for their service over the years. Picture: Justin Kennedy

“He has encountered distressing, stressful and dangerous situations during his career yet acts bravely, and above and beyond what is expected of members of the Force.”

Sgt Mellon has served as a union delegate for the specialist services, having held the role of chairperson and ordinary member for the branch in the Northern Territory Police Association. He remained as a NTPA union representative up to October 2021.

Sergeant Mellon’s latest posting was as Northern Watch Commander.

The Acting Senior Sergeant was among three cops charged within 24 hours on Thursday.

Mr White confirmed there was no link between any of the officers charged.

A 46-year-old Darwin man and a 21-year-old Katherine man have also been charged but police have not released the rank of the accused officers.

The 21-year-old male officer has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

“The matter is under investigation by the Professional Standards Command,” an NTPFES spokesman said.

He will appear in the Katherine Local Court on August 29.

Meanwhile, a 46-year-old police officer was also served with a Notice to Appear for allegedly obtaining benefit by deception.

The matter is still under investigation by Crime Command.

The 46-year-old will appear in the Darwin Local Court on August 31.

The latest NT PFES annual report found of the 886 complaints and internal investigations made against police, 130 or 15 per cent were serious enough to require disciplinary action.

The Productivity Commission said the Territory had the second highest rate of complaints against officers, behind only South Australian Police.

In 2020-21 the NT Police had a record breaking rate of complaints from the public, with 39 complaints for every 100 operational staff.

The National Survey of Community Satisfaction with Policing also found Territorians had the lowest satisfaction rate with police, with 71.8 per cent saying they were “totally satisfied” with the NT Police.

Every other policing jurisdiction in Australia had satisfaction rates higher than 79 per cent.