Police Commissioner Michael Murphy announces NT Police ‘reshape’ after Bruce Porter, Murray Smalpage retire

The newly appointed Police Commissioner has announced a major shake-up of the Territory’s top brass after the retirement of two veteran cops. Read which positions are up for grabs.

Michael Murphy, the Northern Territory's police commissioner, speaks during a press conference in Darwin on September 8, 2023. Photo by PEMA TAMANG PAKHRIN

A major shake-up of the police top brass has been announced following the departure of two veteran Territory cops.

Three weeks after being appointed to the top job, Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has announced he was “reshaping” his new executive team by removing one of the Deputy Commissioner roles and expanding the number of assistant commissioners to six.

He said the new leadership team would include a specialist domestic violence and youth portfolio and a workforce wellbeing and recruitment role.

It comes as People and Cultural Reform assistant Commissioner Bruce Porter marked his final day with NT Police after 35 years with the force.

He is the second senior member of the police executive to announce his retirement since Mr Murphy’s appointment, following the departure of Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage last week.

Michael Murphy, the Northern Territory's police commissioner and Assistant Commissioner Bruce Porter during a press conference in Darwin on September 8, 2023. Photo by PEMA TAMANG PAKHRIN

In an emotional farewell, Mr Porter said his years of service had “made me the person I am today”.

“Being part of Northern Territory police has been part of something bigger, something special and something worthy,” Mr Porter said.

The 59-year-old police officer was involved in two of the biggest drug busts in the NT Police history, revealing a stash of 11,000 cannabis plants worth $20m at Hidden Valley in 1993 and stopping a Thai fishing boat with $300m of heroin in 1995.

Retiring Assistant Commissioner Bruce Porter, speaks during a press conference in Darwin on September 8, 2023. Photo by PEMA TAMANG PAKHRIN

Mr Murphy said NT Police were beginning their search for a new Deputy Commissioner and “a couple” assistant commissioners, with job advertisements expected to go live soon.

The Northern Territory Police Association has welcomed the leadership shake-up, following their tenuous relationship with Mr Murphy’s predecessor.

Under Jamie Chalker’s leadership, 80 per cent of the police rank and file told a union survey they had lost faith in the top cop.

NTPA president Nathan Finn said he looked forward to working with a “revitalised” leadership team, particularly with the fresh focus on police wellbeing.

NT Police Association president Nathan Finn (NTPA) Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Murphy said while the new specialist role was needed to respond to “unprecedented” rates of domestic violence, any initiatives would be funded through the existing police budget.

“I’ve got a contract with the Northern Territory government of $526 million and I need to place those funds in a place that’s going to protect the community and provide a service to … basically protect life,” he said.

Recently revealed internal government documents showed a NT Police proposal to establish a pilot co-responder domestic violence program — costing $10.6m over the next five years — was rejected.

“Police component to be progressed within existing resources,” the May ministerial briefing said.

Last week Police Minister Kate Worden said the second Domestic Violence Action Plan had been allocated $20m over two years — $160m short of what an expert panel recommended.

Ms Worden said the shortfall was due to the lack of a federal needs-based funding model, and she would continue to fight for “a bigger share”.

But Mr Finn said it was “ludicrous and a complete failure” to expect police to implement domestic violence initiatives without additional funding.