NT cop who ‘brought the force into disrepute’ back in court, suspended with pay

A decorated Territory cop who ‘brought the reputation of the NT police force into disrepute’ when he was busted drink-driving in 2019 is again facing court.

• NT police officer busted at three times the limit on Christmas Day convicted of drink-driving

A DECORATED Territory cop who “brought the reputation of the NT police force into disrepute” when he was busted drink-driving at more than three times the limit in 2019 is again facing court.

Michael Whiting, 42, pleaded guilty in the Darwin Local Court in January last year to high range drink-driving and driving without due care, copping a $750 fine.

Whiting remained on the force and was again arrested on August 6 and charged with failing to supply a sufficient sample of breath and was due to face court on Wednesday before the hearing was adjourned due to the Top End lockdown.

“The officer has been suspended with pay and the matter is under investigation by the Professional Standards Command,” an NT Police spokesman said.

“As the matter is now before the courts, no further information will be provided.”

After Whiting’s conviction in 2020, acting professional standards commander Virginia Read confirmed an investigation was under way but refused to release any other information, including his rank.

At the time, Cmdr Read said no further information would be provided before the internal investigation was complete and on Wednesday a spokesman refused to answer any questions at all, including about Whiting’s rank.

In January last year, the court heard Whiting was driving on Roystonea Ave in Palmerston in the early hours of Christmas morning when a St John paramedic spotted him on a grass median strip “narrowly missing” a large concrete drain.

The paramedic pulled up next to Whiting and asked if he was OK. Whiting said he was, before driving off towards Callie Ct where he came to a stop.

Police arrived and took Whiting back to the Palmerston police station where he recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.187, the court heard.

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In submitting references on Whiting’s behalf, his lawyer, Ray Murphy, said the letters “attest to his bravery, his compassion and his vigilance while serving as an NT Police officer”.

“During his policing career he’s been awarded various citations including a commissioner’s commendation and letter of recognition for his meritorious service,” he said.

Mr Murphy said his client had had a difficult year in which his wife was diagnosed with bowel cancer and his father passed away and “simply let things get the better of him”.

Mr Murphy said Whiting had been suspended from duty following the charges and faced potential dismissal as a result, despite not being on duty at the time, along with other “far-reaching consequences”.

“He’s suffered the great shame and embarrassment of not just being arrested by his colleagues but having placed his colleagues in that position in the first place,” he said.

“The shame of having brought the reputation of the NT police force into disrepute and the disciplinary proceeding that he is now subject to for having done so.”

Whiting returns to court on August 24.

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