Tough conditions pushing bush cops to the brink

A BUSH cop says the lack of police on staff at a remote NT community is at crisis point and creating a dangerous situation.

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A BUSH cop has said the lack of police on staff at a remote NT community is at crisis point and creating a dangerous situation.

The officer reached out to Senator Sam McMahon, expressing their frustration at the current working conditions.

In the text message, the cop said they had worked almost 70 hours the previous week and was tired and worn out.

They said the situation was dire with no one planned to take the position when they wrapped up their time in the community.

Senator McMahon hit out at the Gunner Government, claiming it was not supporting police by keeping up with the attrition rate.

“There needs to be a combination of more and better recruiting and looking after the members out there doing their jobs and backing them up, providing them with adequate resources,” Senator McMahon said.

Senator Sam McMahon. Picture: Amos Aikman

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She said bush cops could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“They’re giving up hope that anyone is going to relieve them or help them at remote stations,” she said.

“They haven’t had any time off or time away from work, they’re so overworked and so stressed and don’t see any relief coming from this government.”

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Nicole Manison said the government had committed to an extra 131 cops and support staff.

“If Senator McMahon was serious about helping our police she needs to stand with us and fight to see the renewal of federal funding for remote policing which is due to expire in 2022,” Ms Manison said.

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Nicole Manison. Picture: Glenn Campbell

NT Police Association president Paul McCue said cops in remote stations were working in tough conditions and recruitment had not kept up with attrition meaning they were overworked and stressed.

“We have significant concern for the mental health of our members given the pressure they are under to respond on the border and remote areas,” he said.

He said it was not acceptable that cops were working under such stretched resources.

“There is feedback to us that from time to time there are members left on their own and that is unacceptable and there are times when people can’t get relief and some stations that should have four or five cops have only two,” he said.

NTPA president Paul McCue. Picture: Emma Murray

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An NT Police spokeswoman said there was a team of dedicated staff that worked to ensure there was adequate resourcing at all stations.

She said cops were not required to remain at a station alone.

“Support is provided from within all remote divisions, with senior sergeants and remote sergeants working to provide surge capacity for each other in times of unexpected high demand,” the spokeswoman said.

“With the current COVID-19 response in the Northern Territory there are limitations with resource deployment in order to support the frontline response.”

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