Deputy police commissioner Murray Smalpage caught out in accidental Facebook post

Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker is standing by his embattled deputy Murray Smalpage after controversial comments Mr Smalpage posted online. WATCH THE VIDEO.

UPDATE MONDAY: POLICE Commissioner Jamie Chalker is standing by his embattled deputy Murray Smalpage after controversial comments Mr Smalpage posted online.

In a video that emerged over the weekend, Mr Smalpage appears to suggest “murder” would be the most appropriate collective noun for a group of police officers.

The police union called for him to stand aside as a result but in a statement issued on Monday, Mr Chalker said after reviewing the footage and speaking with Mr Smalpage, the video and his subsequent apology “speak for themselves and as such no investigation is required”.

“I note within the video there is no reference that can be taken to be statements directed to a particular individual or that contained any defamatory or demeaning comments attributed to a person or their beliefs, choices or appearance,” he said.

“With the information before me at the moment, it is clear this was accidental, that the comments were not intended to cause offence and he is deeply apologetic for the choice of language.

“I’m not of the belief that there remains anything ambiguous as it relates to the actions of Deputy Commissioner Smalpage and the comments he made.”

NT Police Association president Paul McCue said other officers had been the subject of disciplinary action in similar circumstances and “those standards must apply across all ranks”.

But Mr Chalker rejected that assertion, saying rank and file officers “have not been subjected to discipline in circumstances similar to this”, which he had “confirmed” with Professional Standards Command.

Mr Chalker said he was “disappointed that the comments have caused offence” and apologised “to those that have been impacted by them”.

“Social media vitriol is a sad reality in our professional and private lives which deeply impacts people’s morality and notably mental health and wellbeing,” he said.

“If the people in the world were much kinder to one another, we would be in a far better place.”

UPDATE 4.30PM: THE NT Police Association has called on Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage to stand aside after being “inundated with complaints” about a video he accidentally posted to Facebook.

In the video, Ms Smalpage appears to suggest “murder” would be the most appropriate collective noun for a group of police officers.

In a statement released on Sunday, union president Paul McCue said despite the broadcast being accidental, the video had the potential “to bring discredit, or adversely affect, the police force”.

Mr McCue called on Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker to investigate how the video was posted “and what action he intends to take given the reputational damage to the police force following the careless release of this video”.

“Our office has been inundated with complaints regarding the video and we are yet to hear what the commissioner will determine should happen,” he said.

“It is clear from our feedback (that) they want to hear from the commissioner on this issue.”

Mr McCue said other officers had been the subject of disciplinary action in similar circumstances and “those standards must apply across all ranks”.

“Until such time as that investigation is carried out, Deputy Commissioner Smalpage ought to stand aside from his current position to provide clear transparency and avoid any conflict of interest perceptions.”

The latest embarrassment follows revelations last year that more than a dozen police personnel — not including Mr Smalpage — were under investigation over their alleged knowledge of the sale and distribution of a T-shirt dubbed “highly inappropriate” by Mr Chalker.

Police command sacked a 61-year-old sergeant in June over the sale of the shirts with the slogan: “Don’t wanna get shot, don’t stab a cop. #Blue Lives Matter”.

The shirts were made after Constable Zach Rolfe was charged with murder following the death of Kumanjayi Walker at Yuendumu in November 2019.

At least 17 other police officers and trainees were served with notices, asking them to explain why they shouldn’t be sanctioned over their knowledge of or involvement in the distribution of the shirts.

Rolfe has pleaded not guilty and his trial has now been pencilled in for February after a series of delays culminating in the High Court’s decision to refer a special leave application in the case to its full bench.

EARLIER: A VIDEO has emerged of NT Deputy Police Commissioner Murray Smalpage appearing to suggest “murder” would be the most appropriate collective noun for a group of police officers.

The video, which appears to have been accidentally posted live to Facebook, shows Mr Smalpage using his phone before making the remarks and then chuckling.

NT Police released a statement on Sunday saying the video was “inadvertently recorded” by Mr Smalpage on his phone as he was walking to a meeting.

Mr Smalpage apologised “for any offence that may have been caused”.

“In no way were the comments intended to be in the context that some others appear to be directing them,” he said.

“I am deeply committed to the Northern Territory police force and all its members.

“Our members work incredibly hard every day to serve and protect our community.

“Again, I apologise if my remarks were construed in any other way than as part of a chat before getting down to the business at hand.”

Originally published as Deputy police commissioner Murray Smalpage caught out in accidental Facebook post