Government has ‘dropped the ball’ as mass exodus of cops puts strain on thin blue line: CLP

THE thin blue line is under strain as 63 cops have left the NT Police force since July 1, with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gerard Maley saying the Gunner government has ‘dropped the ball’

The thin blue line is under strain in the Territory as 63 cops have left the NT Police force since July 1

THE thin blue line is under strain as 63 cops have left the NT Police force since July 1, with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gerard Maley saying the Gunner government has “dropped the ball”.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner on radio Wednesday blamed interstate recruitment targeting NT cops as the reason why there was a high number of officers leaving the force.

NT Police Association president Paul McCue has previously raised concerns over police attrition rates, explaining morale, COVID-19 fatigue, a lack of leave being approved and a feeling of a lack of support from executives as reasons for cops throwing in the towel or looking interstate for work.

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“There is a general theme where experienced officers, 10 to 15-year veterans, are feeling that this isn’t the job for them, they are not feeling supported, they are feeling like the discipline regime is such a heavy-handed approach,” Mr McCue said.

Since July, 45 police have resigned, nine have retired and five have been dismissed. The reason for departure of four other officers is unknown.

“As a government and as a commissioner, when you’ve got attrition running at double the normal rate that must surely raise a red flag,” Mr McCue said.

“Simply recruiting more people is not the answer. They need to know why people are leaving.”

Mr Maley said the reduction in police numbers was putting the safety of Territorians at risk.

“Every police officer makes a difference in the Northern Territory – we’ve got a massive area to cover,” he said.

“We’ve got a big population spread out over that area, and the police numbers are important to be able to man and properly resource all the police stations which, ultimately, protect Territorians.” An NT government spokeswoman said 90 recruits were set to graduate in March and April.

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“The Northern Territory government recruits above retention rates and have put more police on the beat than ever before,” the spokeswoman said.

Assistant Commissioner Michael White said the 10-year average for police leaving the force was 4.78 per cent, and in 2020 that figure was 3.23 per cent.