CLP unveils six-point plan for a stronger NT police force

A COUNTRY Liberal Party government will reverse the ‘watering down of penalties for youth offenders’ as part of a six-pronged approach to strengthen the ability of the Northern Territory’s police force to tackle crime and make communities safer, CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro has promised.

A Country Liberal Party government will reverse the ‘watering down of penalties for youth offenders’ as part of a six-pronged approach to strengthen the ability of the Northern Territory’s police force to tackle crime and make communities safer, CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro has promised. Picture: Michael Franchi

A COUNTRY Liberal Party government will reverse the “watering down of penalties for youth offenders”.

It will also deliver continuous police recruiting and increase penalties for the assault and abuse of police officers.

The pledges are part of a six-pronged approach to strengthen the ability of the Northern Territory’s police force to tackle crime and make communities safer, promised by CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro.

The Opposition Leader said the approach would ensure police were equipped to do their job across the Territory.

“Police keep our communities safe and under a CLP government police will be a priority,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“We will move quickly and swiftly to ensure that the job of policing is safe, efficient and rewarding,”

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The six-pronged strategy includes:

• Making police a top priority, guaranteeing the police portfolio will be held by the Chief Minister. This ensures that the concerns of police and public safety are always at the forefront of government decision making.

• Rolling police recruitment and sufficient funding provided to ensure that multiple recruit squads can run at the same time. Priority will be given to backfilling vacant positions, in major centres and the bush, as well as meeting attrition rates and keeping the police college appropriately skilled and resourced.

• Rolling back youth justice changes. Reverse the watering down of penalties for youth offenders and institute a system where each offence has a consequence including escalating consequences for youth offenders.

• Increase penalties for the assault and abuse of police officers. There is an average of 230 assaults on police each year. A clear message will be sent to people who assault or abuse police by introducing stronger and more certain consequences for those who assault or abuse police.

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• Focusing on remote policing by working with the Federal Government for additional resources to ensure remote police stations are manned as necessary and ensure that housing and staffing meet contemporary requirements.

• Provide greater opportunities for promotion for Territory-trained police officers in order to reward the commitment and local knowledge gained.