The Territory Labor Government will invest an additional $20 million for an extra 131 police and support staff, and more resources to protect the NT’s borders and keep Territorians safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Policing in the Territory is no doubt one of the most complex and challenging roles one can undertake – and Coronavirus has only made it more difficult.
Our hard borders have helped make the Territory the safest place in Australia. Our hard borders are still in effect 24/7 – with police on our roads and in our airports interviewing arrivals and directing them into mandatory quarantine where necessary.
In addition to manning the borders and arrival ports, police are monitoring and enforcing quarantine compliance, managing the Emergency Operations Centre, and providing extra support and engagement with remote communities, in addition to their existing police work.
We don’t know how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, and our police will continue this work for as long as it is necessary to protect Territorians.
To ensure our police force can remain as strong and supported as possible through this pandemic, Chief Minister Michael Gunner today announced an additional $20 million for the employment of 131 extra staff, training and resources.
The funding will see the force further bolstered through the recruitment of:
· 66 additional frontline Constables to help manage additional tasks brought on by COVID-19 while continuing to tackle youth crime and alcohol abuse;
· 30 Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALO): to ensure stronger relationships between our police and indigenous communities;
· 10 Aboriginal Community Police Officers (ACPO), and;
· 25 Support Staff including policy and administrative support, college support and additional welfare support for officers.
Recruitment will start immediately with a constable squad commencing in coming weeks, and the first ALO squad stating in October. (All ALOs will be on the beat by April 2021, ACPOs by June 2021 and all Constables by November 2021).
An additional 20 vehicles will also be purchased and deployed across the Territory to assist with operational requirements.
As noted by Chief Minister Michael Gunner:
“Our Police do an incredible job, and they are a big part of why the Territory has remained the safest place in Australia.
“From protecting our borders, to quarantine supervision and compliance checks, COVID-19 has seen our police take on many additional tasks – and it is my job as Chief Minister to ensure I look after them, so they can continue to look after us.
“Right now we have more police on the beat than ever before, and that number is only going to increase through the employment of 131 additional police and support staff – making our force as strong as possible.
“Nobody knows how long this crisis will continue for, but Territorians should know we will always do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Our hard borders will be there for as long they are needed, and police will have what they need.
“We will always put the Territory first.”
As noted by Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Nicole Manison:
“Coronavirus has no end date – and we need to ensure our police have all the resources they need to continue to keep Territorians safe.
“No Government has invested more in our police, and this extra support will ensure we remain in the strongest position possible to manage COVID-19 in the Territory, while continuing to tackle youth crime and alcohol abuse.”
