Northern Territory Police Force is pleased to report a successful outcome from Operation Gunnison at the 2026 Katherine Show and Rodeo, with high-visibility policing operations helping deliver a safe and enjoyable event for Territorians.
Throughout the event, officers maintained a visible presence across the Showgrounds, working alongside organisers, competitors, stallholders and visitors to ensure families could enjoy one of the Big Rivers region’s annual gatherings safely.
Police conducted wanding operations throughout the event, screening thousands of patrons on entry:
- 4,320 people wanded
- 7 knives located
- 12 other prohibited items located
- 19 wanding cautions issued
Acting Superintendent Warren Scott said the wanding operations helped prevent dangerous items from entering the family-friendly event.
“By identifying and removing those items before they could become a problem, we were able to help provide a safe environment for everyone attending the Show and Rodeo.”
Throughout the operation, police also undertook a range of enforcement activities, including:
- 5 arrests
- 2 Social Order (s133AB) arrests
- 6 Notices to Appear issued
- 51 licensed premises checked
- 93 litres of alcohol destroyed
- 121 people moved on
Police also embraced the spirit of the Show and Rodeo, with Katherine Police members proudly taking part in the traditional community parade through the Showgrounds to officially open the event.
The event also gave newly graduated Police Public Safety Oficers Geremy and Logan the opportunity to meet hundreds of locals and visitors while assisting with wanding operations and helping police respond to anti-social behaviour.
A dedicated traffic enforcement presence helped keep roads safe for the thousands of additional visitors travelling to and from the Showgrounds.
Police conducted:
- 120 traffic apprehensions
- 29 Random Breath Testing stations
- 928 negative breath tests
- 14 negative and 5 positive drug tests
- 28 Traffic Infringement Notices issued
- 6 Summary Infringement Notices issued
- 8 Defect Notices issued
Speed camera operations also played a key role in the road safety effort, with 4,459 vehicles speed checked and 250 speeding infringement notices issued.
Acting Superintendent Warren Scott said Operation Gunnison delivered strong results both on and off the Showgrounds.
“Our increased police presence allowed officers to engage directly with the community while ensuring strong safety measures remained in place throughout the Show and Rodeo.
“Alongside our wanding and traffic operations, officers spent time speaking with Territory families, visitors and local businesses, helping create a welcoming and safe environment for everyone attending the event.
“While the event was overwhelmingly successful, the number of speeding infringements detected shows there is still work to do on our roads. We continue to urge motorists to slow down, drive responsibly and make road safety their priority.
“I am incredibly proud of our members, including our new PPSOs, and I thank the Katherine community for the way they embraced the event and worked with police to make this year’s Show and Rodeo such a success.”
