Two NT police officers allegedly involved in supplying cocaine charged, stood down from force
NT Police are in discussions with the government to bring in drug and alcohol testing for officers after shocking charges of alleged drug possession and supply were levelled against two uniformed officers.
Police & Courts
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NORTHERN Territory police are in discussions with the government to bring in mandatory drug and alcohol testing for officers after shocking charges of alleged drug possession and supply were levelled against two uniformed officers.
Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage revealed on Saturday that two police officers, one a 43-year-old man and the other a 28-year-old woman, had been arrested and charged with offences relating to the supply and possession of drugs, mainly cocaine.
Describing it as an “extremely disappointing” day for NT Police, Mr Smalpage confirmed both officers, who are from Darwin Command, had been suspended without pay pending court proceedings.
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Police will allege the drug activities occurred between the two officers and the drugs had not been distributed to the wider community.
It will be further alleged that at least one of the supply offences occurred while the officers were on duty.
The 43-year-old officer is facing six charges, including alleged supply of a schedule 1 drug less than commercial quantity, which bears a maximum jail term of 14 years.
He has also been charged with allegedly stealing a police-issued firearm. He will remain behind bars until his first court date on September 21.
The woman, who has been granted bail, is facing two charges, one each of possessing schedule 1 drug and possessing schedule 2 drug, both less than trafficable quantity. She will face court in October.
Mr Smalpage confirmed investigations were still ongoing before issuing a warning to the NT’s cocaine dealers, saying he hoped “they’re not sleeping well in bed at all”.
He said police were “pursuing numerous avenues” to find out where the drugs came from but reassured the community it had not come out of police facilities.
“We want to tell our workforce who, by and large, all stand behind me, that this is not the conduct that we accept and tolerate by anybody, let alone sworn officers whose duty was to serve and protect the Northern Territory,” Mr Smalpage said.
NT Police officers, unlike their counterparts in other jurisdictions, can’t be tested for drugs or alcohol unless they have committed a statutory offence.
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Mr Smalpage said he would be approaching NT’s Police Minister Nicole Manison and the government to discuss bringing in a regime of drug and alcohol testing for officers as a “measure to identify and help keep our officers safe and help keep the community safer”.
“It’s one of those issues that is live at the moment that no doubt we will be discussing with the government.”
The Independent Commissioner against Corruption and the NT Ombudsman have been notified of the incident in line with police administration rules.
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