The Northern Territory's Police Minister says recent high-profile suspensions and dismissals of Northern Territory police officers "are isolated incidents" and "not a true reflection" of NT Police.
This year, according to information released by NT Police, a Northern Territory police officer has been charged with rape, two with drug offences and at least four police officers have been dismissed over their conduct.
In recent weeks, a total of three officers have faced court charged with criminal offences.
On September the 19th, two NT Police officers were charged over drug offences and suspended from duty without pay — allegations Deputy NT Police Commissioner Murray Smalpage labelled "very disappointing".
On Thursday, an NT Police officer was charged with sexual intercourse without consent, possessing ammunition without a permit or licence and unlawfully possessing property. He was suspended from duty with pay.
The past 12 months have generated difficult headlines for NT Police, beginning with the murder charge laid against Constable Zachary Rolfe.
In November 2019, Constable Rolfe became only the second Northern Territory Police officer to be charged with murder after Kumanjayi Walker was shot and killed in the remote Central Australian community of Yuendumu.
In May, an NT Police officer was sacked after being convicted of assaulting three Aboriginal Territorians following body-worn camera footage tendered to the court.
Also in May, a 53-year-old officer was dismissed after being charged with a high-range drink driving offence and a 30-year-old was dismissed for "serious breaches of discipline".
In June, NT Police announced it had fired an officer after he had printed singlets emblazoned with the words "Don't wanna get shot … DON'T stab a cop! #bluelivesmatter" — a reference to the police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker.
The incident, according to NT Police Assistant Commissioner Michael White, "[brought] disrepute to the entire police force".
And in August, an NT Police officer resigned after he breached coronavirus restrictions when he entered the Northern Territory without completing the necessary paperwork — an oversight Deputy Commissioner Smalpage also called "very disappointing".
One 30-year-old NT Police officer was suspended in January after he was charged with perverting the course of justice.
The ABC put questions to Northern Territory Police Minister Nicole Manison, including whether she was concerned about the recent dismissals and charges laid against NT Police officers.
In her response, Ms Manison said NT Police "do an incredible job protecting and serving our community".
"These alleged isolated incidents are not a true reflection of all our hardworking men and women in blue — and I believe the public acknowledges that," she said.
"While a number of these matters are currently before court, it will be inappropriate for me to comment further."
The ABC also asked Ms Manison if she had addressed the recent incidents with NT Police, if she wanted to see standards lifted within the police force, or if she was taking any action to minimise behaviour within the force that falls short of community standards.
Ms Manison did not respond directly to these questions.
In a statement, Deputy Commissioner Michael Murphy told the ABC the "vast majority of NT Police officers are professional, honest and work to protect Territorians".
"We have high expectations of our officers' conduct, both on and off duty. The conduct of police is overseen by numerous statutory authorities," he said.
"Those who engage in misconduct are dealt with according to the law."
Deputy Commissioner Murphy said NT Police were seeing an "increase in public confidence" in reporting matters to NT Police that involve police officers.
