Aboriginal Liaison Officer charged with assault faces court for the first time

AN NT police officer has faced court for the first time after being charged with aggravated assault

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AN NT police officer has faced court for the first time after being charged with aggravated assault.

Gapuwiyak man Damien Mungitjnga Guyula, 35, appeared in the Darwin Local Court on Thursday after being charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

During the brief hearing, his lawyer Matt Hubber successfully applied for the case to be adjourned for a directions hearing on February 19.

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In a Facebook post from 2016, NT Police celebrated Guyula getting his start as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer and spoke of his hopes of becoming an Aboriginal Community Police Officer.

“A proud Yolngu man, Damien has always had a strong commitment to helping his community and family,” it reads.

“Damien has previously worked as an interpreter, Cultural Advisor to the school, a Gurrwiling Ranger and on the Remote School Attendance Strategy (RSAS) as a team leader.

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“In his role as an ALO, Damien will again be working with the RSAS team to increase school attendance – he was welcomed back by that team with open arms.”

Guyula has been suspended with pay while the allegations are investigated by NT Police’s Professional Standards Command.

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