The Northern Territory police commissioner, John McRoberts, has resigned following allegations he involved himself in a criminal investigation involving a person with whom he has a personal relationship.
The accusations of a conflict of interest pertain to an ongoing criminal investigation, Guardian Australia was told, although no specifics would be given.
In a press conference on Wednesday afternoon the acting chief minister, Peter Chandler, said the evidence suggested there “may have been some influence” on the part of McRoberts.
Chandler would not say what the nature of the relationship was between McRoberts and the unnamed person involved.
The NT government said it had “lost confidence” in McRoberts and his position was no longer tenable.
“The government had acted swiftly and decisively when it became aware of the matter,” Chandler said in a statement.
“The integrity of the commissioner of police must be beyond reproach. The government has considered the available facts in this matter and believes that resignation is necessary to maintain public confidence on NT police.”
McRoberts is now the subject of a formal police investigation.
Information regarding McRoberts’s actions was given to Chandler on Friday, and the minister spent the following days investigating it, a spokesman for Chandler told Guardian Australia.
The evidence – which was obtained through an ongoing criminal investigation – was then put to McRoberts by the NT government “and his reaction was to resign”.
McRoberts was just one year into a renewed five-year contract as police commissioner.
He was first appointed to the role in 2009, leaving his position in Western Australia as the state’s assistant commissioner in charge of WA police counter-terrorism and state protection.
Reece Kershaw, former assistant commissioner of the Darwin metropolitan service, has been appointed acting commissioner.
Chandler’s spokesman said the government would be conducting a “full and frank recruitment campaign” for a permanent replacement.
