Recruiting will start immediately to boost Northern Territory's police numbers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NT Government wants an extra 131 police and support staff to protect the Territory borders and keep people safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
Recruitment will start immediately with a constable squad commencing in coming weeks.
In one of the last acts before it goes into caretaker government before the August election, the NT 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.
While the borders have been opened to visitors from everywhere but Victoria and NSW hotspots such as Sydney, the border check points are going to remain "indefinitely".
Police are also patrolling NT roads and 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.
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.
All the new police constables are expected to be recruited, trained and on the beat by November next year.
An additional 20 vehicles will also be purchased and deployed across the Territory to assist with operational requirements.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said: "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.
Police Minister Nicole Manison said: "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."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.