NT top cop Jamie Chalker vows to fight government to save job

The beleaguered police chief confirms he wants to return to work and stay there with the help of top silk Arthur Moses SC.

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker is vowing to fight for his job. Picture: Che Chorley

Embattled Northern Territory Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker will fight to retain his job and seek to extend his contract.

He has engaged top Sydney silk Arthur Moses SC and defamation lawyer Rebekah Giles in a bid to end the uncertainty about his future at the helm of the police force in the Territory.

Mr Chalker has requested mediation with the NT government take place “as a matter of urgency”.

The Commissioner, on prearranged leave until the end of April, has indicated to NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles he wants the issue of his ongoing appointment resolved in front of a retired judge from interstate.

He said the ongoing speculation surrounding his role is “not in the interests of the brave women and men of the Northern Territory Police Force or the public”.

Mr Chalker wishes to see out his full term as the Territory’s top cop and seek another four years in the role to complete the “important reforms” he has implemented.

The Weekend Australian understands Ms Fyles was alerted on Thursday to Mr Chalker’s request for mediation.

Arthur Moses SC, right, is now representing NT police boss Jamie Chalker. Picture: NCA Newswire.

His decision to engage the high-powered legal team – Mr Moses and Ms Giles acted for former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate after her controversial departure from the postal service – comes following a week of reports suggesting the government’s apparent desire for Mr Chalker to resign.

Ms Fyles has not said whether she has confidence in Mr Chalker but acknowledged conversations have been held around his contract expiring later this year.

“We are negotiating with the Police Commissioner in good faith, while we continue to support our hardworking police force,” Ms Fyles said. “As previously stated, these are ongoing confidential negotiations, which will not be had in the public arena.”

NT chief minister Natasha Fyles refuses to confirm whether she has confidence in police commissioner Jamie Chalker, whom the NT government have asked to resign. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Ms Fyles refused to endorse Mr Chalker during a press conference this week.

Instead she confirmed her “full confidence in the Northern Territory Police Force and the leadership under (acting commissioner) Michael Murphy”.

After joining the NT police ranks in 1994, Mr Chalker was appointed in 2019 to the dual roles of Police Commissioner and chief executive of the NT Fire and Emergency Services, a contract set to expire in November. Negotiations around his ongoing tenure are slated for May.

Mr Chalker worked closely with the government – especially former chief minister Michael Gunner and successor Ms Fyles – during the Covid response and following the death of Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu.

He attended the final day of the coronial inquest last year to “acknowledge” the proceedings, where he also spent time speaking to Mr Walker’s family before attending court.

NT police have been repeatedly criticised for lagging response times; Territorians are reportedly waiting up to 10 hours for officers to respond to incidents such as break-ins.