NT cop’s pay restored after he criticised top brass

The NoT police ­officer suspended for publicly criticising how his commissioners had handled the Zachary Rolfe murder charge has had his pay ­reinstated.

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Northern Territory police ­officer suspended for publicly criticising how his commissioners had handled the Zachary Rolfe murder charge has had his pay ­reinstated.

Digital Forensic Unit Officer in Charge Mark Casey remains suspended from duty for penning an opinion piece outlining his “concerns” about the actions and “integrity” of NT Police executive members including Commissioner Jamie Chalker.

The veteran cop, who has served in the NT Police for 25 years, told The Australian he was “very relieved” to have had his pay restored.

But the 45-year-old now has a week to respond to allegations that he has committed “serious breaches of discipline” related to his “personal behaviour and public views”.

Last week, Sergeant Casey told The Australian he was “devastated” and “terrified” after being suspended without pay just hours after his opinion piece was published in the NT Independent.

The suspension notice, signed by Assistant Commissioner Michael White, alleged Sergeant Casey committed three breaches: improper conduct, personal use of social media, and breach of NTPF code of conduct.

The father-of-two was served the suspension notice through the Northern Territory Police Association just hours after the opinion piece he felt “compelled” to write was published.

“This concern relates to the authoritarian management as a whole and specifically in relation to the charging of Constable Zach Rolfe,” he wrote in the article.

“I have observed the events since the day of the shooting and have held my judgment until now as I feel that unless someone speaks up there will be no change.

“It is time for someone to stand up and allow the discourse to happen, rather than sitting in fear, waiting for someone else to take action.”

Sergeant Casey said he expected to face disciplinary action for publishing his opinion piece but “underestimated how brutal it was going to be”.

Police and Sergeant Casey’s family have since been expressing their “disgust” and fury on social media over the officer’s “unfair” treatment.

The Darwin born and bred sergeant, who has spent most of his policing career investigating fatal crashes, is a second-generation NT cop.

Sergeant Casey’s father this week accused NT Police of “double standards”.

“My son is suspended without pay for making comment about the COP and executive,” Garry Casey posted on Facebook.

“Where was the last time that a member was suspended for an ­internal process without pay?

On Thursday, Acting Commissioner Michael Murphy said Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage was responsible for the pay decision. A short time after he made his remarks, Sergeant Casey’s pay was restored.