Northern Territory Police
Encyclopedia
The Northern Territory Police (NTP) is the police
body that has legal jurisdiction over the Northern Territory
of Australia
. This police service has 1302 gazetted police positions (as at 31 July 2011) made up of 55 Senior Sergeants, 200 Sergeants, 741 Constables, 159 Auxiliaries, and 84 Aboriginal Community Police Officers. The rest of the positions are members of Commissioned rank and 10 inoperative positions (as of 31 July 2011). It also has a civilian staff of 297 across 48 stations.
Police in the Northern Territory are part of a "Tri-Service": the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Service with the Commissioner of Police, Mr John McRoberts, APM as the CEO of the "Tri Service". Sworn Police Officers can be required to serve anywhere where a police presence is required in the Northern Territory including remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land and outback Northern Territory.
Sworn Police can be recruited in two divisions: Police Constables and Police Auxiliaries. The motto of the Northern Territory Police Force is “To Serve and Protect”.
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 first firearms were a Schneider rifle or carbine
, calibre .577. These were the first breech loaded rifles used in the British Army, and the original cartridges had a cardboard case. 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.
With the discovery of gold near Pine Creek
in 1872 the police found themselves with never a dull moment. 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 had a dip in the sea. He was killed by a crocodile. Darwin’s first police station was constructed of poles and plaster measuring 20 ft by 12 ft. 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. Since 1955 the size of the Northern Territory
Police Force has increased significantly in line with the population. In 1955 there were 80 police officers. Today the establishment numbers 1030 sworn Police, 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.
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 Service.
The headquarters of the Northern Territory
Police is located at the Mitchell Centre on Mitchell Street. The Northern Territory Police maintains over 36 local police stations 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.
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. as a less lethal force option available to each frontline patrol.
Restraints used are Mk-IV and V Saf-Lok 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 and Toyota Hilux dual cab utes as caged vehicles (4x4 and 2wheel)Turbo diesel. 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.
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
body that has legal jurisdiction over the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. This police service has 1302 gazetted police positions (as at 31 July 2011) made up of 55 Senior Sergeants, 200 Sergeants, 741 Constables, 159 Auxiliaries, and 84 Aboriginal Community Police Officers. The rest of the positions are members of Commissioned rank and 10 inoperative positions (as of 31 July 2011). It also has a civilian staff of 297 across 48 stations.
Police in the Northern Territory are part of a "Tri-Service": the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Service with the Commissioner of Police, Mr John McRoberts, APM as the CEO of the "Tri Service". Sworn Police Officers can be required to serve anywhere where a police presence is required in the Northern Territory including remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land and outback Northern Territory.
Sworn Police can be recruited in two divisions: Police Constables and Police Auxiliaries. The motto of the Northern Territory Police Force is “To Serve and Protect”.
History
The NTP 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 CorpsNative Police Corps
An Australian Native Police Corps was first established in 1842 in the Port Phillip District of the Australian colony of New South Wales...
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
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. 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 first firearms were a Schneider rifle or carbine
Carbine
A carbine , from French carabine, is a longarm similar to but shorter than a rifle or musket. Many carbines are shortened versions of full rifles, firing the same ammunition at a lower velocity due to a shorter barrel length....
, calibre .577. These were the first breech loaded rifles used in the British Army, and the original cartridges had a cardboard case. 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.
With the discovery of gold near Pine Creek
Pine Creek
Pine Creek may refer to:*In California, USA**Big Pine Creek **Pine Creek, former name of New Pine Creek, California** Pine Creek, *In Colorado, USA**Pine Creek High School**Pine Creek Golf Course...
in 1872 the police found themselves with never a dull moment. Stations were established at Adelaide River
Adelaide River, Northern Territory
Adelaide River is a town where the Stuart Highway crosses the Adelaide River in the Northern Territory of Australia, upstream of the Adelaide and Mary River Floodplains Important Bird Area. At the 2006 census, Adelaide River had a population of 190...
, Yam Creek, Pine Creek
Pine Creek, Northern Territory
Pine Creek is a small town in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory, Australia. According to the 2001 Australian census 665 people live in Pine Creek, which is the fourth largest town between Darwin and Alice Springs....
, Roper River
Roper River
The Roper River is one of the largest rivers in the Northern Territory, Australia, extending east for over 500 km to meet the sea in Limmen Bight on the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is navigable for about 145 km, until the tidal limit at Roper Bar, and forms the southern boundary of the region...
and later at Daly River
Daly River, Northern Territory
Daly River is the name of a river and a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. At the 2006 census, Daly River had a population of 468.- History :...
. The first police fatality occurred in 1872 when Mounted Constable Davis, a noted swimmer, disobeyed a local Standing Order and had a dip in the sea. He was killed by a crocodile. Darwin’s first police station was constructed of poles and plaster measuring 20 ft by 12 ft. 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
Central Australia
Central Australia/Alice Springs Region is one of the five regions in the Northern Territory. The term Central Australia is used to describe an area centred on Alice Springs in Australia. It is sometimes referred to as Centralia; likewise the people of the area are sometimes called Centralians...
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
North Australia
North Australia can refer to a former territory, a former colony or a proposed state which would replace the current Northern Territory.-Colony :...
and one for the Territory of Central Australia
Central Australia
Central Australia/Alice Springs Region is one of the five regions in the Northern Territory. The term Central Australia is used to describe an area centred on Alice Springs in Australia. It is sometimes referred to as Centralia; likewise the people of the area are sometimes called Centralians...
. 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
Administrator of the Northern Territory
The Administrator of the Northern Territory is an official appointed by the Governor-General of Australia to exercise powers analogous to that of a state governor...
, in Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
.
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. Since 1955 the size of the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
Police Force has increased significantly in line with the population. In 1955 there were 80 police officers. Today the establishment numbers 1030 sworn Police, 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.
Recent History
In 1955 there were 80 police officers. Today the establishment numbers 1081 sworn Police, Auxiliaries and Aboriginal Community Police Officers.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 Service.
Organisational Structure
- Commissioner : John McRoberts
- Deputy Commissioner : Shane Maines
- Assistant Commissioner, Crime and Support Service : Reece Kershaw
- Assistant Commissioner, Darwin Metropolitan: Grahame Kelly
- Assistant Commissioner, Regional Operations: Mark Payne
- Director/Chief Fire Office, Fire & Rescue Service: Steve Rothwell
- Director, Northern Territory Emergency Service: Peter Davies
Commissioners
- 1870 - 1904 Paul Heinrich Matthias Foelsche
- 1904 - 1923 Nicholas John Waters
- 1924 - 1927 Major George Vernon Dudley
- 1927 - 1964 the Office of Commissioner was held by the Government Resident, a position now known as the Administrator of the Northern Territory
- 1964 - 1966 Clive William Graham
- 1966 - 1967 Sydney James Bowie
- 1967 - 1978 William James McLaren
- 1978 - 1988 Ronald (Peter) McAulay
- 1988 - 1994 Michael John Palmer
- 1994 - 2001 Brian Charles Bates
- 2001 - 2009 Paul Cameron White
- 2009 - John McRoberts
Organisation
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
Police is located at the Mitchell Centre on Mitchell Street. The Northern Territory Police maintains over 36 local police stations coordinated by their respective Local Area Commands.
A number of specialist units have been established, including the Territory Response Group
Territory Response Group
The Territory Response Group is the Police Tactical Group of the Northern Territory Police. Part of the Territory Response Section the TRG is tasked to provide general and specialist support to other units of the Northern Territory Police...
, 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.
Traffic Enforcement/Crash Investigation
After a record road toll of 75 in the year 2008. NT Police and the NT Government have jointly demonstrated their unwaivering commitment to road safety in the Territory. As a result of this commitment, there are currently 8 members in the Darwin region responsible for traffic enforcement, major crash investigation, special events, traffic campaigns, escort duties and general duties taskings as required.Air Wing
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 1,346,200 km2, being some 1610 km North to the South and 934 km 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).CitySafe
The CitySafe & 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 the 25th of February, 2009. The CitySafe unit is staffed by 10 members being 2 Sergeants and 8 Constables.Firearms and equipment
Officers now carry the Glock 22 or the Glock 27 pistol for plain clothes members. Other weapons used in the Northern Territory Police include the AR-15 semi-automatic rifleAR-15
The AR-15 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle, with a rotating-lock bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is manufactured with the extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials....
which is used by specialist groups and specifically trained members in rural areas, Officers also carry Remington model 870 pump action shotgun
Remington 870
The Remington Model 870 is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is widely used by the public for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense. It is also commonly used by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.-Development:The Remington 870 was...
and Remington model 700 (.308) bolt action rifle
Remington 700
The Model 700 series of firearms are bolt-action rifles manufactured by Remington Arms since 1962. All are based on the same centerfire bolt action. They often come with a 3, 4 or 5-round internal magazine depending on caliber, some of which have a floor-plate for quick-unloading, and some of which...
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. as a less lethal force option available to each frontline patrol.
Restraints used are Mk-IV and V Saf-Lok Handcuffs and Flexi-cuffs. Mk-6 and Mk-9 First Defense Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray are also general issue.
Vehicles
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
sedans, Holden VE Commodore and Toyota Hilux dual cab utes as caged vehicles (4x4 and 2wheel)Turbo diesel. Specialist vehicles include the Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Land Cruiser
The is a series of four-wheel drive vehicles produced by the Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. It is not related to the Studebaker Land Cruiser car produced in the US from 1934-1954....
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
Isuzu
, is a Japanese car, commercial vehicle and heavy truck manufacturing company, headquartered in Tokyo. In 2005, Isuzu became the world's largest manufacturer of medium to heavy duty trucks. It has assembly and manufacturing plants in the Japanese city of Fujisawa, as well as in the prefectures...
trucks, and fixed wing Pilatus PC-12
Pilatus PC-12
The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The main market for the aircraft is corporate transport and regional airliner operators.-Design and development:...
aeroplanes.
Officers Killed on Duty
- 7 November 1883, Mounted Constable John Shirley Died 7 November 1883, aged 27 years from dehydration while searching for men who had murdered a man at Lawson’s Creek.
- 1 August 1933, Mounted Constable Albert Stewart McColl was speared to death at Woodah Island in Arnhem Land.
- 17 August 1948, Constable Maxwell Gilbert Died 17 August 1948, aged 27 years when the vehicle he was driving overturned just north of Wauchope. He was escorting a prisoner to Alice Springs.
- 9 June 1952, Constable William Bryan Condon was shot twice after confronting a gunman.
- 16 June 1967, Inspector Louis Hook died from extensive injuries from a rollover near Pine Creek.
- 9 June 1970, Sergeant Colin Eckert was killed in a head-on collision in KatherineKatherine, Northern TerritoryKatherine is a town situated southeast of Darwin in the "Top End" of Australia in the Northern Territory. It is the fourth largest settlement in the Territory after the capital Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs...
.
- 11 December 1981, Senior Constable Allen Price aged 44 years died of a heart attack while attempting to stop a disturbance in Mataranka.
- 29 January 1984, Detective Sergeant Ian Bradford died when the police vehicle he was a passenger in went over the edge of the wharf in Darwin.
- 3 August 1999, Brevet Sergeant Glen Huitson was killed in a gun battle on the Stuart Highway.
External links
- Annual Reports, Strategic Documents, The Drum
- Licences, Permits & Forms
- Media Centre
- Northern Territory Police
- Northern Territory Police Museum and Historical Society
- Northern Territory Police Twitter page
- Northern Territory Police Facebook page
Further reading
- Debnam, Lawrie.(1990) Men of the Northern Territory Police 1870-1914 : who they were and where they were Elizabeth, S. Aust. L. Debnam. ISBN 0949124621