Cops leaving force in droves, survey finds management an issue

A new survey of NT Police has found morale is low in our crime-fighting force.

Almost two thirds of Territory cops believe the morale of staff at NT Police is low or very low. Picture: Che Chorley.

ALMOST two thirds of Territory cops believe the morale of staff at NT Police is low or very low.

Results from the damning survey show 64 per cent of current officers are in the process of or considering applying for work elsewhere.

The survey of more than 500 constables and sergeants – which equates to about half of frontline staff – also found seven out 10 cops believed mismanagement from the leadership team was responsible for the mass exodus of staff.

It was revealed last month that NT cops were leaving the agency in droves, with attrition rates doubling in the past 12 months.

The NT Police Association conducted the survey among its members ahead of the union’s annual conference in Darwin last month, but revealed outcomes of the survey in more detail this week.

When asked about the factors leading to staff attrition, 47.3 per cent of respondents pointed to the “Yuendumu critical incident” in 2019, in which 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker was shot dead amid a botched arrest.

Eighty per cent of officers said they had an increase in duties since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and most believed this was due to the force being under resourced.

NT Police Association President Paul McCue said the results weren’t intended to be divisive or alarmist but were a true reflection of the concerns and challenges facing officers on the frontline.

Mr McCue said the survey results showed the strain the extra resourcing required by the Covid-19 pandemic has placed on the force.

“The survey results provide an opportunity to create discussion as to why, when NT Police are aiming to be an employer of choice, so many want to move into other police forces or government agencies,” he said.

“Between 60 and 100 officers have been taken offline, unable to work general duties, crime and many other sections.

“Members are fatigued and given an incredible 80 per cent of respondents to our survey advised they have either deferred or had leave cancelled due to Covid-19, no further time can be lost in providing Covid resourcing.”

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said poor policy reform had led to extra work for police.

“Violent crime has skyrocketed right across the Territory and it’s our police who are being expected to mop up after Labor’s disgraceful policy failures when it comes to alcohol abuse, law and order reform, and youth justice,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“The fact 77 per cent of respondents don’t think there are enough police in the NT, highlights the damage Labor’s decision to oversee 12 months without a single constable recruit squad going through the College has done.”

She said the statistics were “alarming” when it came to attrition and retention of cops.

“Back in May, the Opposition proposed a select committee to investigate why our police are leaving in droves. This was flatly rejected by the Gunner Government.”

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