Three police officers assaulted by group in Milikapiti during attempted DV arrest

Three Northern Territory police officers were assaulted - one of them knocked unconscious - after being set upon by a group on the Tiwi Islands while attempting to arrest an alleged domestic violence offender.

Three officers were assaulted while attempting to arrest an alleged DV offender in Milikapiti on the Tiwi Islands.

Three Northern Territory police officers were assaulted, with one knocked unconscious, after being set upon by a group on the Tiwi Islands while attempting to arrest an alleged domestic violence offender.

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has condemned the “disgusting and disgraceful” attack and flew to Tiwi on Wednesday to support the officers.

At 6am Wednesday the three officers went to a home in Milikapiti - a remote community 105km north of Darwin – to arrest a 19-year-old man with alleged domestic violence and weapon offences.

During the arrest the officers were allegedly attacked by the 19-year-old, along with a man, 44, and a boy, 17.

In a statement police said the violence included the alleged use of improvised weapons, biting, and an attempt to remove an officer’s gun from its holster.

As a result the officers were injured and required medical treatment, one of them knocked out in the incident.

The alleged offenders have been arrested and remain in custody.

The officer who was knocked unconscious has since been transferred to Darwin for further assessment.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy will fly to Milikapiti on Wednesday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The behaviour we witnessed this morning was absolutely disgusting and disgraceful,” Commissioner Murphy said.

“Assaults on our officers, who are doing their job to keep the community safe, will not and cannot be tolerated.

“Every day, police put themselves at risk to serve and protect the communities they are part of. The least they should expect is to be treated with respect and to be safe whilst carrying out their duties.

“The officers were executing their duty to arrest an alleged domestic violence offender.

“Additional support is being deployed to the community, and those involved in this violent and unacceptable behaviour will be held accountable.”

Commissioner Murphy said he had spoken to the officers involved, noting their families were also “quite concerned” about what had happened.

The importance of local leadership was recognised in addressing the use of violence in Aboriginal communities.

“I will be working with the Land Councils, to ensure strong local leadership is part of the solution and these acts of violence aren’t repeated,” Commissioner Murphy said.

“The members are currently safe and being treated for their injuries and I commend them for their measured and professional response to a hostile situation.

“I acknowledge all our officers who work incredibly hard across the Territory to reduce crime and keep Territorians safe, often in dangerous circumstances. No officer or citizen should be subjected to any type of violence and we will continue to do all we can to eliminate this.”

On Wednesday afternoon police confirmed additional officers had arrived in Milikapiti to provide respite to the local members and to continue investigations into the incident.