New grog cops to start next year

The NT Estimates hearings were told this week Alice Springs would receive the first allocation of the new liquor inspectors followed by Katherine.

The hearings were told the first auxiliaries are likely to arrive in Katherine in late January or early February next year.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner, who is also the Police Minister said the allocation of 22 auxiliaries for Katherine “is based off the historic approach police have taken in Katherine”.

“The first recruit squad has obviously been in Alice Springs for Alice Springs. There are two more recruit squads planned for this year,” Mr Gunner said.

An extra 75 police auxiliaries will be trained as Liquor Inspectors and stationed in front of bottle shops as part of a Government plan to stop alcohol-fueled violence in the NT.

The government expects it will take a year to recruit and train the new inspectors.

Katherine Mayor Fay Miller has led a chorus of criticism across the NT about the rise in anti-social behaviour on the streets from the removal of police (POSI) from bottle shops.

The Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors will form part of a new 97-member strong unit within the NT Police, and will include 12 police officers specifically targeting secondary supply, seven operational staff and three prosecutors.

The measures will be backed by an $11.83 million investment annually.