Second officer charged following NT Police investigation into Sergeant Neil Mellon

A second Northern Territory police officer has been charged following the force’s six-month investigation into Sergeant Neil Mellon.

Chris "Willow" Wilson.

A second Northern Territory police officer has been charged following the force’s six-month investigation into Sergeant Neil Mellon.

A 40-year-old man was on Friday charged with obtaining benefit by deception and served a Notice to Appear in Darwin Local Court on October 4.

The Australian understands that the officer is a member of the NT Police’s elite tactical unit Territory Response Group.

The operator, who is now on directed leave, is being investigated by the Professional Standards Command.

Sgt Mellon – the former acting officer in charge of the TRG – was last week charged with 31 criminal offences following his arrest on Thursday morning.

The long list of charges include conspiracy to pervert the course of justice – which carries a 15-year jail sentence – and the destruction of evidence in relation to a major crash investigation.

The Australian understands that those offences are connected to an horrific chopper crash on the King River, in a remote part of West Arnhem Land, on February 28 in which Outback Wrangler cast member Chris “Willow” Wilson was killed.

The 34-year-old father-of-two was reportedly strapped into a harness attached to a 30-metre-long line to access crocodile nests when the Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into terrain 30km south of South Goulburn Island.

The Australian has revealed that Sgt Mellon, while off-duty, immediately flew to the scene following the accident and retrieved his friend’s body before other emergency services arrived.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s preliminary report has since found the accident happened shortly after the aircraft left its landing zone and that the chopper’s engine stopped before the chopper hit the ground.

The ATSB’s examination of the engine found there were no defects likely to result in engine failure at the time.

Helicopter pilot Sebastian Robinson, 28, suffered serious injuries in the crash but survived.

Wilson and Robinson worked on National Geographic’s reality television show Outback Wrangler.

NT Police confirmed to The Australian that the second officer’s charge has arisen from the investigation into Sgt Mellon but that it does not relate to a crash.

On Friday Sgt Mellon was also charged with unlawfully accessing data and disclosing confidential information as well as multiple weapons, firearms and wildlife offences.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Road Safety Michael White on Friday revealed that the charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and destruction of evidence stem back to a major crash investigation that commenced in February this year.

“So that’s when the alarm was raised,” he said.

On Thursday morning investigators from the major crash unit handcuffed and arrested Sgt Mellon – who had been performing the role of Northern Watch Commander – as he arrived at the Darwin Police Station for duty.

A search warrant was executed on the decorated officer’s home a short time later, where exhibits including weapons and fireworks were allegedly seized for examination.

Mr White said the six-month investigation into Sgt Mellon’s conduct in relation to the major crash investigation is ongoing.

“It will be alleged by police that the actions of this officer have undermined the integrity of the Northern Territory police and the community of the Northern Territory,” he said.

“It is a significant piece of work that has been under review by a number of crime detectives and we continue to investigate these matters that have been identified.

“The matter is in relation to the damage and mistrust of his position within the police force and providing a quality service to the community.

“It is a very disappointing, upsetting and frustrating event that’s occurred.”

Mr White said that Sgt Mellon’s alleged weapons offences were “not related specifically to his job”.

The 47-year-old, who joined the NT Police in 1995, was yesterday released on bail and suspended without pay.

He is due to appear in Darwin Local Court on September 22.

The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption and the NT Ombudsman will oversee the police investigation into Sgt Mellon’s alleged offences.

Sgt Mellon has been gazetted to Darwin station since recently leaving the TRG – where he was the Acting OIC – after 18 years.

He has also worked at Alice Springs and the Police Training College.

In 2016, Sgt Mellon was awarded for “outstanding professionalism, bravery and ­exceptional operational support” for his role in the rescue of a tourist who fell while climbing Uluru.

In 2019 he received the Australian Police Medal as part of the Australia Day honours.

“Throughout his time with the TRG he has been involved in a range of tactical operations, from body retrievals in dangerous situations, through to shootings and searching for suspected murderers,” former police commissioner Reece Kershaw said at the time.

“He has also been responsible for a number of close personal protection operations of visiting dignitaries, including the Dalai Lama and former US President Obama.

“Sergeant Mellon has displayed unwavering dedication to duty and continued commitment to our community.

“He has encountered distressing, stressful and dangerous situations during his career yet acts bravely, and above and beyond what is expected of members of the force.”