Police union president weighs in on workplace ‘bullying’ claims

‘The NTPA regularly recognise the hard work all ranks of our membership undertake in some of the most difficult policing conditions ever experienced in the modern era.’

The NTPA says police are ‘constantly under extreme pressure to get things done, get it done quickly and without mistake’.

UPDATE FRIDAY: NT Police Association (NTPA) president Paul McCue has sought to provide “context” to comments made by the union’s legal officer alleging repeated “bullying” of the rank and file by the force’s top brass.

Writing in the latest edition of the NTPA magazine Police News, the union’s legal officer Amanda Nobbs-Carcuro said she had “personally witnessed” bullying and abuse over performance issues but her complaints to management had been ignored.

In a statement issued on Friday after the comments were reported in the NT News, Mr McCue said they were made “to provide information on what types of behaviours could be considered respect, equity and diversity matters, as opposed to normal performance management behaviours”.

“It was important to recognise that at times these are difficult to distinguish but a worker has a right to know what information they need to look for,” he said.

“The NTPA regularly recognise the hard work all ranks of our membership undertake in some of the most difficult policing conditions ever experienced in the modern era.

“Pressures associated with a lack of appropriate resourcing compound frustration, stress and fatigue in the workplace, which increases the risk to our members as was evidenced in our recent survey outcomes.”

EARLIER: NT Police top brass are “bullying” and abusing the rank and file over performance issues while others feel obliged to work overtime to keep “enough vans on the road to keep their mates safe”, the police union has claimed.

Writing in the latest edition of the NT Police Association (NTPA) magazine Police News, the union’s legal officer Amanda Nobbs-Carcuro said she had repeatedly raised the bullying issue with management but had been ignored.

“It is not okay to yell and abuse somebody regardless of your rank in the organisation, this is bullying behaviour and should not be tolerated,” she said.

“Nobody has the right to abuse somebody about their performance or lack thereof, to do so is offensive abuse and is likely to be considered bullying behaviour.”

Ms Nobbs-Carcuro said she had “personally witnessed this type of behaviour on more than one occasion since commencing with the NT Police Association”.

“I have personally raised this poor behaviour with senior members of the NT Police and to date have received no response,” she said.

“If one talks of wanting a professional workforce then all must conduct themselves in a professional manner including those at the most senior ranks within the organisation.”

The comments come after an NTPA survey found attrition rates in the force had doubled in the past 12 month and writing in the same publication, southern field officer Peter Stowers said the grievances had nothing to do with pay and conditions.

Mr Stowers said instead, “it seems to stem to a lack of empathy, a lack of support, a lack of confidence and a lack of appreciation”.

“Recently I asked two of our members who appeared to be struggling why they keep putting their hand up for overtime,” he said.

“They advised that it was not a matter of money but more an obligation to ensure there were enough vans on the road to keep their mates safe.”

Mr Stowers said members were “constantly under extreme pressure to get things done, get it done quickly and without mistake”.

“When the expectation of duty above self was first brandished around the workplace it felt (like) a general lack of respect for our members (sic) time off and a failure to recognise or take into consideration that members have lives and responsibilities outside work,” he said.

NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner for People and Cultural Reform, Janelle Tonkin, said the force’s top brass was “committed to improving communication among our people”, including addressing claims of bullying.

“We encourage a shared responsibility to support the physical health, mental health and wellbeing of our people,” she said.

Ms Tonkin said the workforce was “the cornerstone of our agency” and blamed the Covid-19 response for putting “huge demands on our officers”.

“Members have worked long hours, including in remote locations, to keep Territorians safe,” she said.

“This has also meant leave has been cancelled and officers have been asked to do significant overtime. Our people are to be commended for their dedication to protecting the community.”