A scandal enveloping the Northern Territory police force has resulted in the suspension of a senior police officer, just one day after police commissioner John McRoberts resigned when presented with allegations he tried to influence a criminal investigation into a person he was in a relationship with.
The Labor opposition has renewed calls for an independent commission against corruption (Icac) similar to other states, as details around the allegations and investigations remain officially secret.
Late on Thursday the acting commissioner, Reece Kershaw, announced the suspension of a senior police officer, later confirmed as the head of the crime and specialist support command, Richard Bryson.
In a press conference on Friday morning, Kershaw said he suspended Bryson in order to “enable a thorough investigation” into circumstances leading to McRoberts’ resignation.
He said police officers were “shocked and no doubt concerned, but we have reassured our people that we will continue on, and that’s why we’ve acted how we have as quickly as we could on the information available, to not only make senior executive changes but also announce that among our people”.
There are now two investigations ongoing – one internal investigation of “serious breaches of discipline” relating to Bryson, and another into McRoberts’ conduct. The latter investigation is not being carried out by NT police or the Australian federal police, and Kershaw directed questions about who was running it to the NT government.
A spokesman for the acting chief minister, Peter Chandler, told Guardian Australia the government could not disclose what body was investigating McRoberts, only that he was being investigated.
Kershaw said “at this stage” no further officers were under investigation or facing suspension.
Labor MLA Laura Moss on Friday renewed opposition calls for the creation of an Icac in the Northern Territory to restore confidence in government and law enforcement.
“This latest saga has left Territorians with questions about the integrity of the Territory’s decision makers,” she told media in Darwin, citing a recent scandal around an alleged Country-Liberal party slush fund as well as the police troubles.
“I think a lot of Territorians would feel it would be more appropriate to know that investigations are occurring through an independent body which they can refer to and they can look to to keep decision makers accountable.”
McRoberts resigned on Wednesday in reaction to allegations by the NT government, which said he had involved himself in a criminal investigation – later reported to be that of fraud charges against a high-profile travel agent and the chair of Crimestoppers NT, Alexandra Kamitsis.
Chandler would not confirm or give details of either the case in question or the nature of the alleged relationship.
The NT government had “lost confidence” in McRoberts, Chandler said on Wednesday afternoon, and his position was no longer tenable.
“The government had acted swiftly and decisively when it became aware of the matter,” he said.
“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 said he didn’t accept that he had a conflict of interest, and that he resigned when the allegations were put to him to allow the NT police, fire and emergency service workers to continue their “important job”.
Kershaw said there was no current concern that any ongoing investigations had been jeopardised by McRoberts’ alleged conduct.
Kershaw and other senior appointments made in the reshuffle following the loss of McRoberts and Bryson will remain in their roles until next month.
