| Agencyname: | Northern Territory Police Force |
| Abbreviation: | NT Police |
| Badge: | File:Logo of the Northern Territory Police.svg |
| Badgecaption: | Badge of the Northern Territory Police |
| Flag: | NTPoliceFlag.png |
| Flagcaption: | Flag of the Northern Territory Police |
| Motto: | To Serve and Protect |
| Formedyear: | 1911 |
| Country: | Australia |
| Divtype: | Territory |
| Map: | Northern Territory in Australia.svg |
| Sizepopulation: | 250,398 (Estimated 2022) |
| Legaljuris: | opsjuris |
| Governingbody: | Government of Northern Territory |
| Police: | Yes |
| Oversightbody: | Independent Commissioner Against Corruption |
| Headquarters: | Peter McAulay Centre, Berrimah , NT |
| Sworntype: | Sworn officer |
| Sworn: | 1,607 (June 2022) |
| Electeetype: | Minister |
| Minister1name: | Kate Worden |
| Minister1pfo: | Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services |
| Chief1name: | Michael Murphy |
| Chief1position: | Commissioner |
| Unittype: | Unit |
| Officetype: | Service area |
| Stationtype: | Station |
| Stations: | 70 police stations and shopfronts |
The Northern Territory Police Force is the police body that has legal jurisdiction over the Northern Territory of Australia. This police service has 1,607 police members (2021-22 financial year) made up of 83 senior sergeants, 228 sergeants, 912 constables, 220 auxiliaries, and 64 Aboriginal Community Police Officers. The rest of the positions are members of commissioned rank and inoperative positions (2021-22 financial year). It also has a civilian staff working across the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services.
Police in the Northern Territory are part of a tri-service: the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services with the Commissioner of Police as the CEO of the tri-service.
The Northern Territory Police traces its roots back to the South Australian Mounted Police from 1870 when Inspector Paul Foelsche and six other police officers arrived in the Territory. A small rural constabulary (part-time force) had existed earlier but was disbanded. The Native Police Corps was formed in 1884. Their role was mostly as a security force to protect the early inhabitants of the Northern Territory than as a police force. The current NTP came into existence in 1911. In 1931, the two Territories Central and Northern became the Northern Territory of Australia and the authority of the Commissioner of Police was established in the Administrator of the Northern Territory, in Darwin.
In December 1869, the governor commissioned Paul Foelsche, a Corporal in the SA Mounted Police stationed at Strathalbyn, to be the first sub-inspector of police at Palmerston. He sailed for Darwin soon afterwards. The police uniform then worn in the Territory was the same as that worn in South Australia. It consisted of a short cut-away blue serge tunic with nine regulation buttons, silver twisted cord shoulder knots, black braid on the sleeves and silver chevrons for non-commissioned officers. The riding breeches were dark blue corkscrew serge with a white stripe.
The earliest firearms used were Snider–Enfield rifles and carbines firing a .577 calibre cartridge. Later, Martini–Henry rifles were used, and Webley revolvers were issued. Like their predecessors, the Rural Constabulary at Escape Cliffs, the first detachment of police at Palmerston had as their first responsibility the maintenance of law and order in the community.
The police were frequently engaged following the discovery of gold near Pine Creek in 1872. Stations were established at Adelaide River, Yam Creek, Pine Creek, Roper River and later at Daly River. The first police fatality occurred in 1872 when Mounted Constable Davis, a noted swimmer, disobeyed a local Standing Order and swam in the sea. He was killed by a crocodile. Darwin's first police station was constructed of poles and plaster measuring 20feet by 12feet. The inspector lived nearby in three rooms. A small stone building with two cells was the accommodation for those in custody. These are now incorporated in the Administrator's offices on the Esplanade.
In Central Australia the police were part of the South Australian Mounted Police. Mounted Constable Shirley was the first mounted trooper in charge at Alice Springs (first called Stuart). At one time there were two Commissioners of Police in the Northern Territory: one for the Territory of North Australia and one for the Territory of Central Australia. In 1931, the two Territories became the Northern Territory of Australia and the authority of the Commissioner of Police was vested in the Administrator of the Northern Territory, in Darwin.
On 1 July 1964, Clive William Graham, a police officer of long standing in the Territory, was appointed as Commissioner and the force as a whole was administered as part of the Public Service of the Northern Territory. In recent years, various cases have made national and international headlines: the end of the Petrov Affair occurred in Darwin; the 1968 month-long bush search for Larry-Boy who murdered his wife and seriously injured a stockman at Elsey Station; and the 1971 attempted hijack of a plane at Alice Springs airport in which a Territory police officer, who was badly wounded, displayed great heroism. Events connected with search and rescue operations at sea, in swamps and the desert have also made the news.[1] Auxiliaries and Aboriginal Community Police Officers. The Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre in Darwin has instant contact with all stations, vehicles, aircraft and vessels and provides for the Police, Fire, Emergency Services and St John Ambulance Service.
Females were accepted as officers prior or from 1960.[2] In 1962, both male and female candidates had to be unmarried, male applicants aged 21 to 30 years of age, up to 35 years with previous police experience; yet female applicants had to be between 25 and 35 (unless previous police experience).[3] By 1970, only female candidates had to be unmarried.[4] Believed-to-be Australia's first female police motorcyclist, in April 1980, Constable Kate Vanderlaan rode a Honda 750 cc police special around Darwin.[5] She later rose to be a deputy commissioner of the force.[6]
In 1955, there were 80 police officers. As of June 2011, the number of sworn Police, Auxiliaries and Aboriginal Community Police Officers in the service was 1,381.[7]
In 1989, the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services were joined to become a Tri-Service. The Commissioner of Police also becoming the Chief Executive Officer for the Fire and Rescue Service and the Emergency Services.
In July 2019, Commissioner Reece Kershaw was appointed Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, after being at the helm of NT Police for five years.[8]
In 2012, the colour of the police uniform changed from khaki to blue following a ballot in 2011 in which nearly 60% of officers voted in favour of changing the colour to blue. The roll-out of the new blue uniform, with a new design including the word "Police" displayed on the back of the shirt, started in February 2012 and finished in July 2012.[9] [10]
In 2024, NT Police enforced a series of curfews in Alice Springs.
The headquarters of the Northern Territory Police is located at NAB House on Smith Street, . The Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Services is administered from the Peter McAulay Centre in . The Northern Territory Police maintains 63 local police stations and 5 police shopfronts coordinated by their respective Local Area Commands.
A number of specialist units have been established, including the Territory Response Group, Accident Investigation Unit, Computer Crime Unit, Drug Intelligence Unit, Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk (SAID), Indigenous Development Unit, Highway Patrol Unit, Missing Persons Unit, Remote Area Traffic Patrol Unit and Air Support Unit.
The NT Police Air Wing was formed in 1979 with bases in Darwin and Alice Springs, operating two fixed wing aircraft. The area of operation covers 1346200km2, being some north to the south and east to the west. This around one sixth of the Australian landmass, but is very remote, having less than 200,000 residents (1% of the national population). The commonwealth government funded an extra two planes to be based in Darwin. The planes were later handed back due to lack of money.[12]
The CitySafe and Licensing Patrol Unit was forged during New Year's Eve celebrations in 2008/2009. CitySafe was officially launched by the NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson on 25 February 2009.[13] After this was deemed a success, NT police were looking at establishing a specialist licensing enforcement unit in 2010.[14]
Police Auxiliaries now guard bottle shops in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. They are called liquor inspectors.[15]
Officers now carry the Glock 22 or the Glock 27 .40-calibre pistol for plain clothes members. Other weapons used in the Northern Territory Police include the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle which is used by specialist groups and specifically trained members in rural areas. Officers also carry Remington model 870 pump action shotgun and Remington model 700 (.308) bolt-action rifle, which is gradually replacing the older BRNO model 601 bolt-action rifles in the same calibre. The NT Police introduced the Model X-26 Advanced TASER into operational service for General Duties members in February 2008, distributing 74 units. The X26 Taser has now been replaced with the Taser X-2.[16] as a less-lethal force option available to each frontline patrol.
Restraints used are ADI Saf-Lok Mark-IV and V handcuffs and Flexi-cuffs. Mk-6 and Mk-9 First Defense oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray are also general issue.
The Northern Territory Police mostly use LAC response vehicles include Ford Falcon sedans, Holden VE Commodore[17] and Toyota Hilux dual cab utes as caged vehicles (4x4 and 2WD) Turbo diesel.[18] Specialist vehicles include the Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD.
Highway Patrol vehicles usually consist of a combination of marked and unmarked Holden VY SS Commodores and Ford Falcon XR6II. Other specialist sections and units use a variety of police vehicles including Isuzu trucks, and fixed wing Pilatus PC-12 aeroplanes.
The Northern Territory police recently acquired Kia stingers to add to their Road Policing Command fleet.
See also: Australian police ranks. Northern Territory Police currently use the following ranks.[19] [20]
On 17 August 1980, an infant Azaria Chamberlain and her family members were camping near Ayers Rock. It was alleged the girl was snatched away by a dingo, but for a number of reasons, the parents were extradited to the Northern Territory and their vehicle seized. The parents Michael and Lindy Chamberlain were criminally charged and convicted; later overturned in 1988. A review of the forensic science section,[32] a royal commission, and several inquests were held into the police investigation and cause of Azaria's death.[33]
| Rank | Name | Post-nominals | Term began | Term ended | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioner of the Northern Territory Police | ||||||
| Paul Heinrich Matthias Foelsche | 1870 | 1904 | ||||
| Nicholas John Waters | 1905 | 1923 | ||||
| Major | George Vernon Dudley | 1924 | 1927 | |||
| The Office of Commissioner was held by the Government Resident, a position now known as the Administrator of the Northern Territory | ||||||
| Clive William Graham | 1964 | 1966 | ||||
| Sydney James Bowie | 1966 | 1967 | ||||
| William James McLaren | 1967 | 1978 | ||||
| Commissioner | 1978 | 1988 | ||||
| Commissioner | 1988 | 1994 | ||||
| Brian Charles Bates | 1994 | 2001 | ||||
| Paul Cameron White | 2001 | 2009 | ||||
| John McRoberts | 2009 | 2014 | [34] | |||
| 2014 | 2019 | |||||
| Jamie Chalker | 2019 | 2023 | [35] | |||
| Michael Murphy | 2023 | Incumbent | [36] |