Territory cops leaving the force in droves, NT Police Association survey reveals

Territory cops are leaving the force in droves, with attrition rates skyrocketing in the past 12 months, according to the NT Police Association.

Paul McCue says NT cops are leaving the force in droves. Picture Glenn Campbell

TERRITORY cops are leaving the force in droves, with attrition rates doubling in the past 12 months and 60 per cent of current officers in the process of or considering applying for work elsewhere.

The alarming statistics were revealed via a survey of more than 500 constables and sergeants undertaken by the NT Police Association (NTPA) ahead of its annual conference in Darwin this week.

In launching the event on Thursday, NTPA president Paul McCue said he didn’t wish to “create panic” by releasing the figures but “the facts are the facts”.

“They are provided as an opportunity to create a 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.

“It’s something we should be striving to understand and not ignore, with a positive view to reducing those high numbers.”

Other survey results hinted at the reasons behind the exodus, with 35 per cent of respondents reporting having been the victim of an assault while on the job during the past 18 months.

“Given the push to mandate vaccinations or mask wearing across the nation for frontline workers, the vile and disgusting act of spitting continues to occur at alarming rates,” Mr McCue said.

“We look forward to working with the commissioner on meaningful and worthwhile amendments to make positive change to reduce the ever-increasing risk in the workplace.”

Meanwhile, Mr McCue said police resources being diverted to the fight against coronavirus was also putting added pressure on frontline officers, with between 60 and 100 cops manning control points, quarantine facilities and airports at any one time.

“That is 60 to 100 officers taken offline, unable to work general duties, crime, and many other sections,” he said.

“With 80 per cent of our survey respondents saying they have had an increase in duties since Covid and 68 per cent citing a lack of resources as the primary factor, the impact is becoming overwhelming.

“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, no further time can be lost in providing Covid resourcing.”

Police Minister Nicole Manison defended the government’s record on policing, saying it had established a working group to review penalties for assaulting police and there were more cops on the beat than ever before.

“We will continue to back in police with more police, more funding and more support,” she said.

“We passed legislation making spitting or coughing at a Territory worker an offence and offenders will potentially face a fine of $5495 and jail time.”