NT election 2024: CLP promise up to $20k bonus for long serving police officers

If elected the Country Liberal Party will deliver $3m in bonuses to Territory police in the hopes of keeping more experienced cops in the job. Read the funding breakdown.

The CLP has pledged $3m for retention bonuses aimed at keeping experienced officers in the force. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

If elected the Country Liberal Party will deliver $3m in bonuses to Territory police in the hopes of keeping more experienced cops in the job.

The police retention bonus program would be granted to all NT Police officers who reach 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 year milestones next year.

A $10,000 bonus will be given to those who dedicated 10 years’ service, $15,000 for those who have served 15 years, and $20,000 for those who celebrate 20, 25 and 30 year milestones – and all five year increments following.

The bonus is expected to benefit more than 120 officers.

NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Only the CLP is backing our police force,” Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said.

“Since January this year alone, 80 officers have resigned or retired, taking a staggering 700 years of experience with them.

“This loss of experienced officers has a serious ripple effect throughout the entire force – it means less police, less mentors, less resources and longer wait times for victims of crime.

“This initiative will stem the drain of our best and most experienced police leaving the Territory and provide an incentive for officers to put down roots in the NT for a long career in the police force.

Mrs Finocchiaro said the CLP was committed to increasing police recruitment but the new bonus would boost police numbers while recruitment was underway.

“The best thing we can do to put more police on our streets immediately is give our existing, experienced police officers more reasons to stay in the force,” she said.

According to the Northern Territory Police Association the NT has the highest attrition rate in Australia and New Zealand, sitting at 9.4 per cent for the nine months to March – down from 10.65 per cent in the 2023 financial year.

The bonus would run for an initial trial period of 12 months and would be on top of ongoing police recruitment initiatives.

Police recruitment efforts hit the Mount Isa Rodeo in Queensland. Pic: Supplied.

The NT Police recruitment team recently travelled to the Garma Festival and the Mt Isa Rodeo in Queensland in efforts to attract recruits.

In a statement the team said attending Garma, one of Australia’s most culturally significant Indigenous cultural events, allowed them to share insights into a career working in remote and culturally diverse communities.

“The festival’s atmosphere of cultural exchange and community made it an ideal setting for conversations about the vital role police officers play in fostering safety and understanding within remote Aboriginal communities,” it said.

“And why hit the Rodeo you say? Well there are similarities working on the land and serving in regional and remote areas of Australia.

“You have to be resilient, an excellent problem solver and be part of the local community you work in.

“Attendance at these events underscores NT Police’s commitment to attracting a diverse range of applicants who are passionate about making a difference.”

Originally published as NT election 2024: CLP promise up to $20k bonus for long serving police officers