1. law, govt and politics
2. law enforcement
3. police

MARCH 2012
NORTHERN TERRITORY
POLICE NEWS
The Independent Voice of Police in the Northern Territory
1
Police Legacy helps police families. Do you contribute?
Inside • Housing still an issue • Death in Custody
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
• Supreme Court decision on discipline charges
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Executive Editor Vince Kelly
Phone: (08) 8981 8840
Fax: (08) 8981 6219
Web: www.ntpa.com.au
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1
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
COntents: MARCH 2012
03
President’s Message
06
Barkly Region Visit
08Correspondence
09
NT Police Legacy
10
Legal/Industrial News
12 Police History – at the frontline
14
Retirements
17
Police Health – Prostate cancer
18
Southern Field trip
21
Police Credit – Planning for retirement
22
Reunion – Squad 45 of 1987
24
Social –NT Golf Club report
26
National Roundup
29
Chaplain’s Message
30
Book review – Jack Knife
31
Competition
32
Member update
Regional Delegates
acPo reGion
Airport Uniform Policing
Chairman Charlie Pollard
Vice Chairman Francine Elsegood
Secretary Joseph Russell
Ordinary Member 1 Vacant
Ordinary Member 2 Vacant
Chairman Nathan Chalmers
Vice Chairman Mark Fleming
Secretary Roland Kubank
Ordinary Member 1 Colin Ragg
Ordinary Member 2 Gabe Mercep
Alice Springs
Auxiliary Region
Chairman Mark Ashton
Vice Chairman Martin Astridge
Secretary Dan Roberts
Ordinary Member 1 Zach Winkworth
Ordinary Member 2 Mick Fields
Chairman Grayson McKinlay
Vice Chairman Vacant
Secretary Kris Sharkey
Ordinary Member 1 Arthur Gane
Ordinary Member 2 Vacant
Barkly Region
Berrimah
Chairman Denise Goddard
Vice Chairman Darren Gillis
Secretary Carl Marcic
Ordinary Member 1 Cameron Higgins
Ordinary Member 2 Peter Dunne
Chairman Mick Ward
Vice Chairman Patrick Carson
Secretary John Gregory
Ordinary Member 1 Tony Henrys
Ordinary Member 2 Vacant
Casuarina
Central Region
Chairman Vacant
Vice Chairman David Taylor
Secretary Vacant
Ordinary Member 1 John Connor
Ordinary Member 2 Andreas Andreou
Chairman Ronald Millar
Vice Chairman Mark Berry
Secretary Suzanne Hollingsworth
Ordinary Member 1 Tom Newton
Ordinary Member 2 Nathan Finn
Contract Officers Region
Darwin
Chairman Anne Marie Murphy
Vice Chairman David Proctor
Secretary Vacant
Ordinary Member 1 Vacant
Ordinary Member 2 Vacant
Chairman Mark Nancarrow
Vice Chairman Rob De Vos
Secretary Vacant
Ordinary Member 1 Vacant
Ordinary Member 2 Vacant
Gove
Groote Eylandt Region
Chairman Alex Brennan
Vice Chairman Matt Cram
Secretary Nick Allen
Ordinary Member 1 Matt McDonald
Ordinary Mem. 2 Damien Riesenweber
Chairman Adam Van Oosten
Vice Chairman Adam Swift
Secretary Aaron Watts
Ordinary Member 1 Andy Caruana
Ordinary Member 2 Danny Srhoj
Jabiru Region
Palmerston Region
Chairman David Brauns
Vice Chairman Hans Nowak
Secretary Paulo Fernandes
Ordinary Member 1 Kym Chambers
Ordinary Member 2 Brad McCartney
Chairman Brendan Hoga
Vice Chairman Rob James
Secretary Bec O’Brien
Ordinary Member 1 Dave Gregory
Ordinary Member 2 Vacant
Superintendent’s Region
Territory Support Region
Chairman Don Fry
Vice Chairman Tony fuller
Secretary Brent Warren
Ordinary Member 1 Rob Farmer
Ordinary Member 2 Megan Rowe
Chairman Neil Mellon
Vice Chairman Steve Dalrymple
Secretary Richard O’Brien
Ordinary Member 1 Jason Conroy
Ordinary Member 2 Vacant
Executive Members
PRESIDENT
Senior Vice President
NTPA OFFICE
Firearms Examination
Forensic Science Branch
VINCE KELLY
VICE PRESIDENT
TIM LLOYD
David Chalker
OIC Alice Springs
Police Station
Treasurer
Sergeant General
Manager, Darwin Office
governance & accountability
darwin metro
general Duties
Palmerston Police Station
Target Development & Intervention
Australian Crime Commission
Michael Ordelman
Executive Member
Kylie Proctor
Arnhem and Western
Division Katherine
Executive Member
Dave Cubis
water police
Chris Wilson
Executive Member
Stephen Martin
oic water police
Col Goodsell
Executive Member
crispin gargan
GENERAL DUTIES
CASUARINA
Executive Member
Executive Member
National Organised Crime Task Force
(Darwin) Australian Crime Commission
Prosecutions Division
Lisa Bayliss
Sean Parnell
executive sub
committee & panels
2010 / 2011
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Promotions Appeals Board
Office Bearers
Col Goodsell
Louise Jorgensen
Megan Rowe
Tony Henrys
Clint Sims
Shaun Gill
industrial COMMITTEE
Vince Kelly
Tim Lloyd
David Chalker Col Goodsell
Chris Wilson
Hege Ronning-Burns
Legal Assistance COMMITTEE
David Chalker (chair)
Dave Cubis
Kylie Proctor Hege Ronning-Burns
Crispin Gargan
WELFARE COMMITTEE
Vince Kelly
Dave Cubis
Michael Ordelman
Kylie Proctor
Inability/Disciplinary
Appeals Board
Executive Member
Executive Member
Counter Terrorism Security
Coordination Division
Event Planning, Tactical &
Specialist Response, Alice Springs
Hege Ronning-Burns
Shaun Gill
NTPA Staff Members
Louise Jorgensen Megan Rowe
Tony Henrys Clint Sims
NTPA Advisory Committee
on Training,
Career Advancement,
Uniform and Equipment
Vince Kelly Lisa Bayliss
Steve Martin
Rob Perry
Industrial
Legal Officer
Owen Blackwell
Industrial and Field
Services Office
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Deaths in Custody –
a tragedy
vince kelly president
This year marks my 25th year as a member of
There are a number of questions.
the Northern Territory Police Force, a milestone I will
• What did Mr Briscoe’s family and community do to
share with a number of other men and women. I am
proud of our service and during the last 25 years I have
served with some outstanding, dedicated and caring
individuals, including deceased Brevet Sergeant Glen
Huitson with whom I am privileged to have joined the
Police Force on 12 January 1987.
The death of Terrance Briscoe while in police
custody on Thursday 5 January 2012 is a tragedy and
I extend the sympathy of the NT Police Association
assist their countryman, and others like him, to deal
with the scourge of his own alcoholism?
• Why was this young man’s health so poor that he has
died at such a young age?
• How do we help in a meaningful way four
generations of Aboriginal people lost to themselves,
their families, their culture, their community, and
their country?
• Why after over 20 years since the conclusion of the
to his family. It is understandable that his family is
Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
traumatised by his death and understandable that it
are Aboriginal people, particularly Aboriginal men,
is seeking to make sense of this tragedy by making
still over represented in Northern Territory and
allegations of police misconduct. However, it is
Australian jails?
my understanding that there is no evidence in this
• Why despite this Royal Commission and numerous
instance of police misconduct, in particular of police
other enquiries in this and other jurisdictions
assaulting Mr Briscoe.
have we been unable to break the cycle of welfare
There will be a fair and impartial investigation into
dependence and despair that afflicts so many
the circumstances of his death by professional, trained,
Aboriginal people and leads many into police
and dedicated members of the NT Police Force.
custody?
In the event that any inappropriate behaviour
• Why does the community, including a large portion
by police is identified during the course of this
of the Aboriginal community, consider it appropriate
investigation the Commissioner of the NT Police
for alcoholics to be placed into police custody?
Force, John McRoberts, has previously displayed that
Why is there no real alternative?
he is prepared to act against oolice officers who act
inappropriately.
Finally, this investigation is being overseen by the
Coroner. It is being conducted in accordance with the
Coroners Act and strict internal police procedure that
has sadly been developed over more than 20 years due
to previous Aboriginal deaths in custody.
It may be beyond the scope of a single coronial
• Why do some Aboriginal people, particularly some
Aboriginal men, display such violent behaviour
toward their own countrymen - women, children
and men?
• Why do people living in these communities
seemingly accept such appalling behaviour as
the norm?
• Why do we accept that many Aboriginal women,
enquiry, however, perhaps some of the questions that
children, and men are the victims of ongoing
the Coroner and we should consider extend beyond
domestic and personal violence?
this individual tragedy.
The “we” I refer to is the entire Australian
community, including all Aboriginal people.
• Why after the massive increase in resources provided
as part of the NT Intervention has there been so little

real improvement in many Aboriginal people’s lives?
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
3
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
“
…we demand our police remove the visible evidence of
our social and community failure. This demand prevents
police from doing what I consider to be our “core” role to
serve and protect the vulnerable in our community.
• W
hy do we accept that many Aboriginal children do
not attend school, particular in remote and
a lack of hope?
”
There is also another important question and that is,
why are many Aboriginal people, such as my wife, her
rural Australia?
• Why do we accept that many Aboriginal children who
attend school emerge without basic literacy skills?
immediate family, friends, and many work colleagues,
not stuck in this cycle of despair?
• Why do we accept that teenage pregnancy in the
I agree with Mr Briscoe’s relatives. It is disgusting
Aboriginal population is commonplace – teenage
that Mr Briscoe died while in our custody, however,
parents who do not have the life skills to care for
my disgust is that police are used to manage the
themselves?
manifestations of our failure as a community. To put it
• Why do we accept that many young Aboriginal
people are unemployed?
• Why do we accept the poor health which exists in
many Aboriginal Communities?
• In short why do we accept that many Aboriginal
people live in a cycle of grinding poverty suffering a
more simply we demand our police remove the visible
evidence of our social and community failure. This
demand prevents police from doing what I consider to
be our “core” role to serve and protect the vulnerable
in our community.
If I have one regret about my 25 years of service in
lack of prospects, a lack of housing, a lack of health
the NT Police it is that I do not have a simple answer to
care, a lack of education, a lack of meaningful work -
these questions and wish I did. 
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Barkly Region Visit
Elliot, Avon Downs and
Tennant Creek
‘The OIC’s Jam’ – Avon Downs SGT Cameron
Higgins and Camooweal SGT Conrad Van Egmond
“Marto, I’ve never heard a good yarn which starts
Trip Lesson 1: Our infrastructure can be fragile and
off with a bloke eating a salad...”
at times tenuous; you can get cut off and isolated
without warning in the NT. The more remote you are,
These words are echoing in my head as I
Arriving safely for the evening, and, cunningly
visits to remote stations in the NT turn out and, more
avoiding the speed trap set for us at the Highway Inn
importantly, what we learn from them. The salad I will
by observing the speed limit, Elliott police station
get to later.
members and their families turned out in full force
I was lucky enough to be on recreation leave
to make us very welcome and discuss the issues
in January when the President asked me to “ride
most affecting them. A number of deficiencies were
shotgun” on a visit to some of our remote stations. The
identified in one of the houses and these were reported
President was lucky Mrs Martin authorised my travel.
to HRM in Darwin in short order.
We kicked off from Darwin on Monday 2 January
for a leisurely drive to Elliott. It became an interesting
trip very quickly, as we crept over the flood damaged
Trip Lesson 2: We may think things are going well
until we see and hear things first hand.
At the close of business, we were well pleased
yet sole remaining bridge over the Edith River and
to share a meal with our hosts and it was here that
surveyed the carnage upstream and around us;
Vince played our trump card. Rather than have the
both the railway bridge and the newer road bridge
members and their families prepare the meal, it was
were destroyed in sections and closed to all traffic.
decided we would bring along some salad making
The power of nature and the force of the water
articles and prepare them before dinner. Given the
were strikingly evident. A quick chat with Senior
wet season temperatures, it was sure to be a winner.
Sergeants Gavin Kennedy and Andrew Littman at
Great care had been taken to bring along the right
the mobile police station parked at the site and we
ingredients and condiments and with a flair and élan
were on our way again.
clearly borne of many trips, ‘Chef de Cuisine’ Vince
Stopping briefly in Katherine to refuel, it was
6
the more resilient and self reliant you have to be.
write and I remain bemused yet still uplifted at how
managed to decant the prepared coleslaw from its
evident the damage at Edith River had very quickly
plastic bag into a plastic bowl and apply just the right
resulted in shortages of everything from fuel to milk
amount of dressing from the plastic bottle, attaining
in the town and down the track.
“Bib Gourmand” status in Elliot in a matter of seconds.
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
STEVE MARTIN
Executive member
the days of large horseback run cattle drives.
Back to Avon Downs, and with Vince repeating his
culinary magic with the coleslaw, I was determined
not to lose my head this time. Sticking with a family
favourite recipe, simple yet tasty ingredients, and an
eye for presentation, concluded with a ‘Tour de Force’,
Above. Elliott Police Station members Lawrie
Devanney , Danny Sandy and OIC Michael Kent.
Vince and Michael Kent at Lake Woods.
clearly blitzing the salad field on the night. Vince and I
agreed to speak no further on the issue of salads for the
remainder of the tour.
Trip Lesson 5: It’s got to look good, smell good and
taste good, otherwise it’s no good!
Trip Lesson 3: Keep it simple; if it works, stick with it.
Accepting my responsibilities as ‘Chef de partie’, I,
Another very enjoyable and relaxed evening
followed, and the Avon Downs members and their
on the other hand, threw caution to the wind and with
families warmly welcomed us, as did the QLD
scant regard to the basic principles of salad making,
Police Sergeant Conrad Van Egmond and his wife
stormed ahead slicing and dicing the remaining
from Camooweal. Not long after dinner, Cameron
ingredients before chucking them into another bowl
returned from his house toting both a banjo and an
and presented it as ‘Salade Garden de Jour’. Suffice
acoustic guitar which he handed to the QLD sergeant.
to say my efforts were duly noted and the salad was
Vince and I exchanged nervous furtive glances and
politely nibbled at but otherwise roundly avoided.
I wondered if it was some form of cross border
Trip Lesson 4: You may have all the right ingredients
initiation. As it turned out, it was! We attempted just
to achieve your outcome, but lack of planning,
about every song our collective memories could recall,
preparation and a decent recipe will let you down
but alas, if only we had taken in the lyrics and the
every time.
music at the time.
The following morning saw us drive out to Elliot’s
Our third day took us straight into Tennant Creek
best kept secret, the nearby Lake Woods. A jewel in
and Vince and I attended and addressed the local
the Barkley’s Crown, the enormous size of this lake
NTPA Branch meeting at the club. It was a good
was hard to comprehend in such an otherwise arid
meeting which was well attended by Tennant Creek,
landscape. Speaking at length with the members, it
Ali Curung and Avon Downs members. This time
was clear that they had developed close bonds with
Sergeant Darren Gillis surprised everyone except
the broader community in the region, in which they
himself with his salad making skills.
take great pride.
Our farewells made, we headed down to the ‘Three
What was very heartening on this trip for both
Vince and me was the level of camaraderie and morale
Ways’ and then East to Avon Downs via the Barkley
amongst our members down the track; all of whom
Homestead.
possessed a willingness to get the job done well.
Dropping our bags off, Vince and I headed over to
Our thanks go to all members and their families
Camooweal briefly to visit the ‘Drover’s Camp’ and the
whom we had the pleasure to spend time with.
resting place of Vince’s father-in-law, Jack ‘Scrubba’
Trip Lesson 6: We’ve got good cops doing great things
Watkins, a well known drover in the NT and QLD in
in and for their communities. 
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
7
correspondence
Do you have an opinion on any of the stories you read in the NT Police
News? Do you have an article you’d like to submit? Or would you like
to write to us? Send your letters or articles to [email protected] or
The Editor, NTPA Police News, PO Box 2350, Darwin NT 0801.
Resignation
It is with great regret I submit my resignation as a
member of the NTPA as of 28th October 2011.
My eight years as an auxiliary with the NT Police has
been the most memorable and fulfilling in my working
life which has now spanned some 48 years.
Representing the NTPA Auxiliary Region for six of those
eight years in the job has to be one of the highlights.
The camaraderie of the NTPA Executive and other
representatives at the many occasions we attended
over this time has been excellent.
I continue to hear of police members who do not think
that being a member of the NTPA is worth it-they need
to think again.
I have seen the changes that have occurred over the
short time I have been a member within the structure
of the force, and it has had an effect on members that
sometimes has claimed or threatened positions due to
procedures not followed or at times misinterpreted or
misunderstood .No such luxury allowed in this job.
The NTPA has been supportive and also offered
guidance to many members who have found
themselves on the wrong side of management.
You cannot afford NOT to be a member of the NTPA.
You would not under insure your house and contents so
do not under insure yourself with your job.
As we set up our home over here on the Sunshine
Coast, we do hope we see some familiar faces
dropping in to share a drink or 5 and some great times.
Kind Regards
Pauline Williams
Senior Auxiliary 4319
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 0407764068
Resignation
I wish to notify you of my resignation from the NT
Police Force effective on the 12th of February 2012.
I have sought advice from the Association on a number
of occasions and appreciate all assistance and advice
provided by your office.
I intend on continuing my Police career with WAPOL.
Thanks again,
Andy Baker
Constable
Casuarina General Duties
Hopefully you will all get through your time in the NT
Police and never need the NTPA, but it is a safe feeling
knowing they are there if you do need their support.
Continue at all costs to support them.
Middle level management continues to be an area that
I have seen has the most weakness in handling people
issues within their troops.
This is where you will fall foul-some managers can
handle the books-the station-the rules, but not the
people.
Look after your mates and your crew-take some time
to notice if they do not seem themselves because the
cutbacks to welfare are having a negative effect on our
troops now.
To all the friends that I have had the privilege of
working with especially the last two years at Tennant
Creek, thanks for the memories.
8
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
Resignation
As you all know my last day is Friday 27th January
2012 I am Resign from the NT Police Service going to
a green pasture and work with Youth at Edmund Rice in
Alice Springs.
I would like to say I made lots of good friends in NT
Police and the WA Police Service the time I have been
good worked with Policing I wish you all a safe work
environment and keep the street safe and best of Luck
to all and keep up the good work.
Frank Curtis
Senior Aboriginal Community Police Officer 7095
It’s all about
helping the kids
Do you contribute to NT Police Legacy? If not,
you should. And if you already contribute have
you considered increasing the amount?
Police Legacy is there for the children of
Administrator was offered and accepted patronage
members who die. The organisation helps with
of the organisation. The structure of the board has
education grants, offers travel opportunities, helps
changed over the past 20 years but the good work of
with the mundane such as driving lessons. It holds
Legacy goes on.
functions for legatees to get together. Most importantly
When the Chair of the Police Legacy Board, retired
it makes sure that the families of members who have
Assistant Commissioner Mark McAdie, recently stood
died still feel a part of the police family.
down from the position he wrote that “by design, the
When a member dies, either on duty or off, their
family is not forgotten by NT Police Legacy.
In the past year no member was killed on duty but
Peter Weisenneker was tragically killed in a climbing
accident, leaving behind a wife and two children who
were added to the Legacy family.
The NT Police Legacy currently cares for 33 familes,
31 widows or widowers and 53 children of whom 21
are under the age of 21. The youngest Legatee is just
four years old.
The NT Police Legacy was established in 1990 when
delegates at the NTPA’s annual conference, held in
Alice Springs, resolved to establish legacy to look after
work of Legacy is done quietly and without fanfare.
It is intended by the board that Legacy works with
the surviving partners to act, as far as possible, as a
substitute for the member who has passed on”.
The acts of Legacy may seem small; things like a
birthday card, Christmas gifts and education grants. But
it is these acts of generosity that mean so much to the
legatees and helps them feel part of the police family.
Over the years there have been a number of
changes but probably the most important is the
introduction of donations by members via a
payroll deduction.
NT Police Legacy depends greatly on the generosity
the children of members who die whilst serving and
of members. In the Territory more than 80 per cent of
those who have retired.
members contribute, the highest level of any Police
The NTPA committed $20,000 to establish Police
Legacy and vowed to contribute an additional
Legacy in Australia.
But there are still almost 20 per cent of members
percentage of all dues it received from members.
who do not contribute to NT Police Legacy. Are you
The initial ‘subscription’ amounted to 37 cents each
one of them?
fortnight from every member of the Association.
It was proposed that Legacy be governed by a
board consisting of a nominee of the Commissioner,
three nominees of the Association, nominee of the
Minister and a nominee of the then Commissioned
Officers’ Association.
As a result of this work by the Association, NT
Police Legacy began operating on July 5 1990. The
Contributions currently stand at just $3.00 – not
even the price of a cup of coffee. To begin contributing
all you have to do is contact OIC Salaries.
You can contribute more than the minimum $3.00.
Just contact OIC Salaries and nominate an amount
You’d like to think your loved ones will be looked
after if the unthinkable happens. Don’t leave it up to
others. Contribute to NT Police Legacy now. 
Police Legacy helps police families like Lisa Huitson & children Ruby & Joseph (photo). They will always be a part of our family.
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
9
industrial / legal
Time is of the essence when it comes
to laying discipline charges –
Supreme Court Decision
Your Association recently challenged
the Department’s decision to charge two members
Justice Southwood found that members cannot be
with alleged breaches of discipline and proceed to a
subject to disciplinary hearings and have disciplinary
hearing of those charges by seeking injunctive relief
action taken against them when the members have not
in the Northern Territory Supreme Court.
admitted to the allegation of breach of discipline and
The Association wanted to clarify what is meant
the laying of a charge was made outside of six months
by the term ‘action’ in section 162(6) of the Police
from the alleged behaviour being discovered (or such
Administration Act and to confirm the proposed
further time allowed for under S.162 of the Act).
disciplinary action was statute barred.
The matter was heard by Justice Southwood,
The decision of Justice Southwood determined that
“time is of the essence” in determining disciplinary
who found that an ‘action’ is the act of charging a
matters that are deemed serious enough to warrant
member with an alleged breach of discipline and not
action under Part IV of the PAA.
the service of a Notice of Alleged Breach of Discipline -
The decision has repercussions for both the
S.79 Notice.
Department and individual members.
Background to the Court action
• A S.79 Notice must be served on a member as soon
• On or about 12 April 2010 a complaint was made to
as possible after the Commissioner or a prescribed
the NT Ombudsman alleging the members involved
member has formed the requisite belief that the
did certain things that, if found substantiated,
member may have committed a serious breach
would have amounted to breaches of discipline.
The Ombudsman forwarded the complaint to the
Commissioner for investigation.
• EPSC investigators commenced an “investigation”
of the complaint on or around 19 May 2010.
• The investigation process became drawn out and
of discipline.
• An impugned member must respond to a S.79 Notice
within seven days of the Notice being served on them.
• Depending on the response, the Commissioner or
prescribed member may either take action on an
admission or failure to respond to the Notice within
applications were made on two occasions for an
time, or may make arrangements for an investigation
extension to the six month time limitation on the
to be undertaken into the impugned behaviour that is
bringing of an “action” against the members, who
were not served with S.79 Notices until
January 2011.
• Notices of Charge of Breach of Discipline were not
the subject of the Notice.
• Where an investigation into the impugned action is
undertaken, it is to be completed within three months
from the receipt of the response to the Notice, or such
served on either member until 6 and 10 of May
further time on a month by month basis, as allowed
2011 respectively.
by the Commissioner, subject to the overriding
The Association objected to the laying of the
restriction of the PAA requiring a member be
charges and the discipline hearing because more than
charged with a serious breach of discipline within
a year had passed from the time the original complaint
six months of the impugned behaviour or action
had been received by the Ombudsman – well outside
being discovered.
of the six months provided for under the Act.
The department claimed it had legal advice that the
Justice Southwell also suggested that only one
application of time may be granted in any particular
‘action’ referred to in the Act was the service of the
disciplinary matter, however he did not make a
S.79 Notice and planned to proceed with the charging
determination on this point.
and hearing process.
10
Supreme Court Decision
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
Another point in Justice Southwell’s decision
“
time is of the essence in determining disciplinary
matters that are deemed serious enough to
warrant action under Part IV of the PAA
is that the extent of “preliminary investigations”
under S.160A of the Act will vary depending on the
complexity of the case and the nature of the matter:
“In a complex case involving a number of witnesses
who are likely to have been seriously affected by
alcohol there may be merit in conducting a reasonably
full investigation before considering the issue.”
The question then – particularly in disciplinary
matters that are not the subject of an Ombudsman
complaint – is what level of investigation is required
prior to the serving of a S.79 Notice? It has been
the practice of prescribed members undertaking
discipline investigations to subject an impugned
member to a “directed” interview prior to any formal
action being taken against the member by the serving
of a S.79 Notice.
The Association believes that before any such
interview is conducted, investigators must ask
themselves if they have enough evidence of
wrongdoing. If the answer to that question is yes,
then the prescribed member is obliged to serve the
member with the S.79 Notice without subjecting the
member to any such interview.
There are still questions in this process that may
need to be answered with judicial guidance.
1
The belief at this stage need only be based on preliminary investigations carried
out pursuant to s.180 of the PAA and need not be a belief based on sufficient
evidence that would satisfy the balance of probability required for the allegation
to be proven in a disciplinary hearing;
2
Historical practice was that in many instances, particularly where a member is
served with a number of allegations, the member could request (and in most
instances be allowed) an extension of time to respond to the Notice. Such
extension would now be unlikely to be granted.
3
The Interpretation Act provides that the 7 day period runs from the day after
the Notice has been served – e.g. if a S.79 Notice is served on a Wednesday, the
response is not required to be returned until close of business (usually 4.00pm)
the following Wednesday. The time for a response will also be extended where
the 7 day period includes a public holiday.
4
“Service” in this instance is “ordinary service” and may include service on a third
party where the impugned member has given permission for such service and
the third party has acknowledged they will accept such service on behalf of the
member (such as service on the NTPA).
5
There is a significant difference between when an impugned action is executed
and “discovered”. An action (or inaction) that may be the subject of disciplinary
action might not be “discovered” by the Commissioner or a prescribed member
(including Ethical & Professional Standards Command) for a significant period
of time. The 6 month limitation period for action under Part IV of the PAA on
such matters will not commence at the time the impugned behaviour/action was
undertaken if there is a time lag between that behaviour/action and its discovery.
”
rob perry industrial legal
Media coverage of the Supreme Court hearing
The NTPA was extremely disappointed with the
NT News coverage of the Supreme Court action.
We voiced this concern in a letter to the editor.
This is part of the Association’s response.
“I refer to an article in the NT News edition of
Tuesday, 10 January 2012 (“Cop That”)
There are a number of issues that I would like to
clarify on behalf of those members as I believe the
story is factually inaccurate and appears to have
been compiled solely from the transcript of court
proceedings and has taken some aspects of the
matter out of context.
Firstly, the story decries a sub-heading that the
Court “hears police officers punched man, then ran
him down with their wagon” and then goes on to
say “Two Territory police officers allegedly punched
a man in the face before running him down with
their wagon after he tried to escape from protective
custody, a court has heard”. The Court – Justice
Southwood – “heard” no evidence concerning
any allegations of assault or mistreatment by the
members of any person.
The further stated details of the “alleged” actions
by the two police officers similarly have not to date
been tested or found to have any substance to them.
The allegations remain just that – unsubstantiated
and unproven in any court or tribunal.
The article that was published is generally inaccurate
and biased against the presumption of innocence
that the two police officers are entitled to until and
unless the contrary is proven in a court of
competent jurisdiction.
The action commenced by the members in the
Supreme Court and upheld by Justice Southwood
was undertaken to protect their legal rights as
legislated for by the Parliament of the Northern
Territory of Australia. To presume they have
committed any kind of offence or impropriety
without any such finding having been made in any
competent jurisdiction is of itself offensive against
the presumption of innocence.”
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
11
HISTORY
Police at the front line
Part 1 – First Strike
February 19 this year marked the 70th anniversary
house before Stipendiary Magistrate C.K. Ward in
of the bombing of Darwin. In this article, the
the No. 1 Courtroom. Constable Ron Brown stood on
Northern Territory Police Museum and Historical
the verandah of the police station with several other
Society looks at some of the police involved.
officers. There was not a cloud in the sky and they all
stood transfixed by a large flight of aircraft approaching
After the Japanese attack on the US Fleet at
from the south at high altitude. At first everyone
Pearl Harbour during World War II the Japanese
supposed them to be American planes but air raid
continued toward Northern Australia conquering
sirens began to wail and ‘small darts’ started to fall out
everything in their path. Most children and women
of them as they crossed over Darwin’s foreshore.
(except nurses and those who refused to go) were
From the courthouse Jim Fitzgerald saw the
evacuated under the threat of invasion while a hasty
jetty ‘fall to pieces’ just moments before he heard the
military build-up continued.
terrible explosions.
Constable Sandy McNab rushed out
Police Barracks and Station before the
bombing Photograph courtesy of the
Northern Territory Library – PictureNT
to shepherd people into improvised
shelters and slit trenches but then
found them all full and had to lay
flat on the ground as best he could.
Because of the hard rock in the
area many trenches had not been
dug deep enough to provide proper
protection and no one had been
issued tin helmets for head protection.
Bombs fell close, with blast pressure
concussing anyone who was exposed,
and lethal shrapnel filled the air.
Sandy watched more bombs fall
On the morning of the 19 February 1942 the
of the action to those around him as one would a
office on the esplanade with his wife and domestic
sporting event. Sandy later recalled “They were
staff. As the Commissioner of Police and political
like silvery bubbles at first. Then they got bigger. I
leader he delegated responsibility for police operations
remember wondering if they would drift in the wind
to Superintendent Alfred Stretton who was based at
and miss us. The police station was only a block from
the police station and barracks.
the jetty, so we had a full view of the furious attack on
At 9.30am Constable Bob Darken was on his rounds
the shipping. One bomb burst nearby. It made a crater
and stopped near the post office and spoke with Miss
25ft across and 14ft deep. The lip of the crater was
Iris Bald who was the daughter of Postmaster Hurtle
only 20 foot off and I was buried, covered with wood,
Bald. They talked about a book he had promised to
concrete and debris”.
lend her as he walked with her to the post office and
then he continued on to the police station.
Just before 10.00 am Constable Jim Fitzgerald was
prosecuting a charge of keeping a common gaming
12
and others describe how he loudly gave commentary
Administrator Aubrey (Charles) Abbott was at his
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
Constable Leo Law was just about to shower at the
police barracks. He ran out in a towel and jumped into
a partly dug trench only a foot deep. Looking up he
saw the bombers and soon after felt the blast and was
SEAN PARNELL Executive MembeR
covered deeply in clay. Another man in a nearby trench
killed and two other staff almost buried.
was so completely covered he later had to be dug out.
After the heavy bombers the dive bombers took their
Bob Darken remembered that Dave Mofflin, who
turn and the Mitsubishi Zero fighters, having eliminated
had been on night shift the previous night, was still
all resistance in the air, began strafing runs along the
asleep in the police barracks. He raced to his room and
streets especially the esplanade and Mitchell Street.
with some effort roused Mofflin. He pushed him out
Surprisingly there was no loss of life at the police
the back of the barracks just as a bomb landed on the
barracks but the building had been destroyed and
other side and destroyed it. The pair were blown clear
there was also damage to the station. The harbour
by the blast and crawled under a water tower and
was littered with sinking and damaged ships and fires
then a car for cover.
burned out of control. The burning “Neptuna”, loaded
Lionel McFarland was riding his police motorcycle
with mines and other explosives, finally detonated,
into town from Parap when he heard the explosions.
throwing a two metre long shard of inch thick plate
He looked up to see high flying bombers with bombs
steel through the roof of the police station. It was
falling from them over central Darwin. He turned off
embedded nearly upright in the concrete floor.
the road and straight into some long grass where he
hid until after the attack.
The ferocious pattern bombing was focused on
More than 20 civilians and more than 200 military
personnel were killed. Darwin was now on the front
line of the war in the pacific. There was a further raid
the harbour and nearby buildings. 19 bombs fell
that afternoon that focused on the RAAF base and
within 200 yards of the main post office. The
more than 60 more in the coming months.
administrator’s office, the police barracks and the
A contingent of NT Police members remained in
post office were all destroyed.
Darwin, assisting with the recovery and policing until
A bomb scored a direct hit on the bomb shelter and
the military took over complete responsibility in April.
slit trench outside the post office. Ten people were
Those stories have to wait for “Part Two -
killed including Postmaster Bald, his wife Alice and
The Aftermath”.
his daughter Iris.
At the Administrators’ office a bomb landed in
During the ‘Bombing of Darwin’ week this year,
which marks the 70th anniversary of that tragic day,
the grounds 15 metres from the shelter, lifting the
there were a number of displays telling stories from
concrete roof and smashing the iron door which
the bombing and wartime Darwin in the museum, NT
helped protect the occupants from falling concrete.
Library, Council Chambers and on websites including
Aboriginal domestic worker, Daisy Martin, 18, was
the NT Police Museum and Historical Society website. 
Visit www.frontlineaustralia.com.au for the schedule. Visit www.ntpolicemuseum.com.au for more information on police involvement.
The old police station today (after restoration) with
which now serves as the Administrators Offices.
Police Barracks damage sustained during
the bombing. Photograph courtesy of the
Northern Territory Library – PictureNT
RETIREMENTS
Good luck and thanks
On Wednesday, 18 November the NTPA
whole working life. Although I derived great pleasure
farewelled three long-serving members. Between
working with members in a variety of areas, I would
them Superintendent Mike Stephens (36 years),
have to say, without a doubt, that the most enjoyable
Commander Max Pope (35 years), and Sergeant Glen
time of my career was working in the bush out of
McPhee (27 years) represented almost 100 years’
Katherine in the 70s and 80s. I have made many friends
service to the NT Police and NT community.
both within and outside the organisation, and feel
In his letter of resignation to the NTPA President,
Vince Kelly, Mike Stephens said:‘I would like to take this opportunity to express my
very proud to have been a member of such a great
team. Almost everyone I speak with continues to have
positive comments to make as to what the members do,
thanks and appreciation to you and the Association
day in and day out, in often very trying circumstances.
Executive and staff for your collective efforts in
They are a great bunch of hardworking guys and girls.’
supporting the interests of the police force membership
Max Pope spoke of the variety or areas he had
over the years. You are to be applauded personally
worked in across the Territory and the opportunities
for your courage and commitment to the organisation,
that the NT Police had given him. Max reflected on
which has resulted in the members enjoying the
the importance of our Association - the benefits
ongoing benefits you and your staff have achieved in
delivered to all members and in the protection of
terms of wages and conditions across the board.
members’ rights.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the
Max said that in his view police management should
Northern Territory Police, and having joined at the
accept that young, (and not so young), police officers
age of 18, the organisation was pretty much my
will make mistakes and the best course of action is to
Colin Smith retires
by David Proctor with Vince Kelly
Col Smith commenced service with the
Vince Kelly makes a
presentation to Col Smith
Northern Territory Police in August 1981, having
already served six years with the Victoria Police and
working as a Detective Senior Constable in the St Kilda
CIB. Col had also served in the Australian Army prior to
this, serving in Vietnam.
Col initially served in a variety of areas in Darwin,
including General Duties, Traffic Section, Task Force,
Prosecution, the Drug Squad and CIB. As Col was
promoted he served in General Duties and the Criminal
Investigation Branch in both Darwin and Katherine.
As the Detective Senior Sergeant (Officer in Charge)
of the Criminal Investigation Branch he was responsible
for the management of Operation Coconut which
resulted in the arrests of Brenden Abbott and Brendon
Berichon, two of Australia’s most wanted criminals at
the time. This operation was one of the most significant
in the history of the Northern Territory Police and its
success brought national and international recognition.
Following his promotion to Superintendent Col
worked as a Divisional Officer in Darwin, Alice Springs,
14
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
Mike Stephens, Glen Mcphee and
Max Pope with their presentations
make sure they know what the mistake was to prevent
it happening again. Max served our Association as both
an Executive member and Branch Official at various
times during his career.
Glen McPhee worked extensively in TRG and
Water Police during his career. This has meant Glen
has worked across the Territory and met up with
many NT Police characters. Macca appreciated the
opportunities the NT Police had given him. During
his years, Glen was also involved in many sports,
in particular police rugby in the 1990s. Glen spoke
about these years and, fortunately for the NTPA
President he could not recall any tour details form this
period. Like Max, Glen also served on the Executive of
our Association.
Vince Kelly thanked all three for their distinguished
service in the NT Police and their loyalty to our
Association stating, perhaps the obvious, that the
experience of these three members cannot be
replaced overnight.
Tennant Creek and Katherine.
Colin has had an outstanding career; he has
A large contingent of serving members from across
the Territory gathered to farewell Col at the Bill Condon
successfully investigated high profile murders, high
Club Katherine, including serving members Roger Illet,
profile drug offences, and in the latter part of his
Peter Gordon, Geoff Pickering, and Steve Heyworth
career has applied his wealth of policing knowledge,
who all joined the NT Police with Col.
experience and leadership to the challenging task of
After 31 years of policing in the Northern Territory,
managing remote policing divisions in Alice Springs,
Colin is leaving to commence the next phase of his life
Tennant Creek and Katherine.
and to start hobby farming near Bairnsdale, Victoria.
This commitment to policing and to serving the
With his length of service it would be difficult for him
community was recently recognised with Colin
not to leave some kind of legacy behind, whether it
being presented his National Police Service Medal,
is as a mentor to younger officers, a confidant to his
a significant occasion as Colin is one of only three
peers, his reputation as being a ‘good operator’ or just
Northern Territory Police Officers to have had the
the fact that he is a great bloke with a wicked sense of
medal presented and the first to have the medal
humour and a tell it as it is attitude. There can be no
presented in the Northern Territory.
doubt that Colin will be fondly remembered for some
NTPA President Vince Kelly presented Col with
his retirement “wall hanging” and highlighted Cols’
if not all of these traits.
Colin expressed his appreciation and genuine
service as NTPA Vice President between 1999 and 2001.
surprise at the turnout to his farewell and appreciated
Col was always a supporter of our Association and
the opportunity to catch up with many friends
particularly as a manager ensured members obtained
and colleagues before departing for Victoria in mid
advice and support when it was needed.
February this year. 
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
15
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men can begin an annual screening with no family history
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Please contact your doctor if you have concerns
Visit www.prostate.org.au for more information
This article provides a general summary only. Professional advice should
be sought about specific cases. Police Health is not responsible for any
error or omission in this article. The information provided reflects the
view of the organisations from which the information has been sourced
and does not represent any recommendations or views of Police Health
Police Health - Ph: 1800 603 603
www.policehealth.com.au
southern field TRIP
The following morning we headed up to Ti Tree.
There we were met by Emma Hole. The primary
reason for our stop at Ti Tree was to again check
on the progress of the new house being built there.
Needless to say, when inspecting a new house one
would normally expect to be impressed. We weren’t.
The house didn’t have any power connected. Its water
was hooked third party onto another house – resulting
in less then satisfactory water pressure to fill a coffee
mug. The build quality was a fair bit better then the
house at Harts Range though and at least it had a
decent wardrobe in the main bedroom. But like Harts
Crispin and Owen with the Kulgera and Imanpa members
Range – the carport had been made into a veranda and
the veranda was a carport.
From there we skipped across the Mt Denison road
In November NTPA field officer Owen Blackwell
and I boarded our flight and headed down to the
On doing a drive around Yuendumu it became
red centre to conduct some remote station visits.
obvious pretty quickly that the government is going
It was going to be an arduous trip covering some
to have to so do some fast talking to convince anyone
2500km in six days, of mainly rough and flooded dirt
that it should be one of its central hub towns. I doubt
roads through some of the most beautiful
but inhospitable country. On landing, we were
both pretty impressed by the weather.
there would have been 300 people there - hard to
justify even having a station, never alone building a
new major one at that.
We spent an enjoyable night with the Yuendumu,
We headed in to Alice to catch up with the Junior
Papunya and Nyrippi members. The following day
VP David Chalker. It’s been a few years since I’d done a
we agreed to convey Alex Konrad back to her Themis
walk through Alice station and it’s quite clear that the
station at Nyripi. I hadn’t been to the place before so
station is in major need of an upgrade. It’s simply too
there was at least one good reason to go. Owen and I
small for its current functions.
had the chance to catch up with Keenan Quinsee and
Owen and I wanted to see the country where we
both worked in our younger years and. I wanted to
Steve Flynn.
We started to get a feel that there are some
also test my theory that there were a million camels in
management issues in place which are making policing
Central Australia, or as I suspect, not.
in these places harder then it needs to be.
Chalker kept telling us that the roads would be
There is no place for city policing and all its stats
too wet. I was pretty confident we would make it
driven results in outback remote communities. Placing
through. Owen enjoyed my optimism but was a little
minimum numbers on RBTs for the week is pretty
concerned when I insisted we have at least a modicum
ridiculous when there are only five working cars in the
of recovery gear.
community and two of them are police vehicles. It’s
Our first port of call was Harts Range. Officer in
also pretty silly flying members in and out of Themis
Charge, Wayne ‘Tex” Meacham and his wife Michelle
postings and then not allowing them to use the police
put on a great spread. Owen assured me this was
vehicles for limited personal use.
most usual and that I should not be surprised. In any
It brought the situation into stark reality when Alex
case I was impressed. We spent some time conducting
mentioned how she would just like to go to Yuendumu
an inspection of the new OIC house. There are many
for her days off, just to get away. Yuendumu people…
problems including the shower rose which was no
to get away?
more then at chest height. The house was on the
18
and arrived at Yuendumu – still no camels..
After coffee we headed down to Kintore. We were
wrong aspect and the carport was the veranda and the
warmly met by Pete and Lee Stowers and after some
veranda was the carport.
catching up we took a drive out to the community and
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
rustled up Andrew Jabaltjari Spencer. It had been years
a toothbrush to clean out
since I’d seen the fellow and he was in good form. It was
the dirt behind the brake
good to see him and as always had a great big smile on
plates in the cleanest car
his face. He couldn’t tell me where any camels were.
competition. I am sorry Tex,
The station at Kintore still has the new face on it and
even considering how little
it’s obvious that despite the remoteness, the Stowers
dirt Owen has to travel, he
family will have be pried out of there with a crowbar.
wins, by a fair margin.
The following morning we undertook the Sandy
Crispin Gargan
Executive member
Owen showed us the new digs and again, it has to
Blight road, heading down through Western Australia
be said, the new OIC house just was not up to scratch.
to Docker River. Two things happened on this trip of
It seems that every house was built with plans back to
note, actually three. The first and most amusing was
front. Carports and verandas again were an issue. It’s
finding a broken down Toyota stuck and stranded in
fair to say that had Owen not had such involvement
the middle of the track. Some Kintore local fellas had
in building this house at Kulgera, the department may
travelled over 100km on flat tyres and come to a stop
have ended up with anything.
on the third flat, with some 130km left to go.
The main fella there had never been to school, never
NTPA President Vince Kelly had made the journey
down for the night and a great spread was put across
spoken anything but Kriole, and was descendant of a
the table. The Imanpa fellas were able to join us and a
family of people who were the last to walk out of the
great many problems of the world were solved.
desert, but he knew exactly what a satellite phone was
I understand that from time to time these trips
let us assure you. After 20 minutes we finally managed
come under close scrutiny by our members based in
to pry him from talking about the footy to his mother
the larger centres as to their usefulness. The simple fact
and left them some water with the knowledge that
of the matter is that unless NTPA members can get on
help was on its way.
the ground and meet face to face with membership,
The second thing was that I got sick of Owen
the problems are not able to be relayed properly, dealt
stopping all the time taking photos. The third was
with appropriately or in such a timely manner. When
Owen got sick of me talking about camels. We did
it comes to remote serving members, these trips are in
actually see some camels though, which Owen insisted
my mind critical.
on taking photos of.
On landing at the Rock, arrangements were made
I personally was left with a much greater
appreciation of just how much work Owen Blackwell,
to join the station members for dinner. Sgt Annette
the field officer for the NTPA, is required to do both
Cooper had just taken up residence as OIC, having
during and after hours. His phone simply doesn’t stop.
transferred from Crime in Darwin. It was good to see
As soon as you get within a cooee of mobile reception
that such a change can be so healthy.
it just pings constantly.
The following morning we travelled on to Kulgera.
It’s pretty clear to me that one of the challenges
We were fortunate enough to make it across the Mulga
ahead for the NTPA is working out exactly how we
Park Road. Owen was driving again for the most part.
can arrange some assistance. My thoughts are that
On arriving Owen Auricht was under the rear
hubs of the station 4wd using, if I am not mistaken,
Owen Auricht cleaning his brakes
a second southern-based field officer is the only real
answer. Who pays for this is up for debate.
Owen with Nyrippi police members
st
Don’t you ju
.
it
e
lov
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ADVERTISEMENT
Planning for the
retirement you deserve
Financial Planner, Vicki Lamp, believes that the most crucial part of her role is to
educate and empower her clients so that they can make informed choices about
their financial future.
She is well versed in the intricacies of ComSuper CSS, NT
Police Supplementary Benefits Scheme, NTGPASS and
NTSSS, and has strong relationships with police officers.
Options within ComSuper CSS and NTPSS
If you commenced with NT Police prior to 1 October
1986, t’s likely that you are a member of ComSuper CSS.
Before reaching retirement it’s important to consider what
you need from your pension as the way it is structured
can have some very big implications.
Will you need a regular income stream to cover your
everyday expenses? Would you like access to capital
for funding holidays or motor vehicles or to even pay off
debts? Will you be entitled to any Centrelink payments?
And have you thought about how your super will be
distributed to your beneficiaries when you have gone?
Depending on your personal situation, financial planning
can help you achieve your goals for retirement.
Finding out more about NTGPASS and NTSSS
If you started policing between October 1986 and August
1999, it’s likely you are a member of NTGPASS & NTSSS.
As it’s an accumulation fund, your superannuation will
be affected by investment markets and are not going to
be a guaranteed amount. You need to understand the
investment options and ways in which to maximise your
benefits at retirement.
‘Preservation’ rules also apply to the money held in your
NTGPASS. This means that you cannot access these
benefits until you meet a condition of release such as
retirement from the workforce after you have reached
your ‘preservation age’, which varies depending on the
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Will your super provide for retirement?
When younger members come to retire in 30 or 40 years’
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Australia’s ageing population is creating a diminishing
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Vicki can help you to become actively involved in your
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It’s never too late to look after your finances
After working in the industry for over 20 years, Vicki sums
up the need for financial planning.
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• To make an appointment, call 08 8919 2100.
reunion
25 Year Reunion – Squad 45 of 1987
On 12 January Squad 45 of 1987 celebrated 25
Emerald Springs in a hired coaster bus with stops at
years in the job. Apparently age has not wearied the
Noonamah, Squad member Glen Huitson’s Memorial
members as they were not going to be satisfied with
Cairn where Commander Vanderlaan read the Police
just dinner and drinks at a local restaurant. Recruiting
Ode to remember departed Squad 45 members ‘Huey’
the organising assistance of some of their better halves
and Paul Riley, lunch at the Adelaide River War
(Mrs Proctor, Mrs Kelly and Mrs Blackwell) a whole
Cemetery with R/Sergeant Macca McLean and Senior
weekend extravaganza was planned.
Constable Stuart Eddy and a refreshment stop at
Current NTPOL members Commander David
Proctor, Senior Sergeant (and NTPA President) Vince
During the trip down the use of profane language,
Kelly, Sergeant (and NTPA Field and Industrial Officer)
excessive humbugging, tall stories or any other
Owen Blackwell, Sergeant Steve Pfitzner (Drug Squad),
infraction as determined by the driver attracted a fine.
Sergeant Steve Constable (Mutijulu), Sergeant Kath
Needless to say a substantial amount of money was
Brett (G & A) and Senior Constable 1/C Neale Carlon
raised for Police Legacy, in honour of Huey and Paul.
(Nhulunbuy) along with former NTPOL members
The Bent Bull Bar and Grill (Emerald Springs Road
Ian ‘Parksy’ Park (QPOL), Clint McNamee (private
House) was the venue for the evening’s festivities
enterprise) and Elio Valenti (CCC, WA) all attended.
of dining, drinking, dancing and ‘True Blue’ singing.
The Squad was joined its former Squad Coordinator
Dallas and Belinda (the owners) are absolutely
(then Sergeant and now Commander) Kate Vanderlaan
fantastic hosts and their efforts ensured that everyone
and wives Karen Valenti, Deb Blackwell, Andrea Kelly
had a great night.
and Kylie Proctor.
The weekend started with welcome drinks at
Shenannigans on Friday afternoon with Squad
member Senior Constable 1/C Chris Castle (Darwin
GDs), who couldn’t make it for the rest of the festivities.
Saturday morning involved a road trip down to
22
Hayes Creek before arrival at the Springs.
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
After breakfast and a very quiet bus ride back to
Darwin on Sunday the Squad vowed to do it all again
in five years time – if the organising Committee agrees!
Current NTPOL members unable attend the reunion
weekend due to other commitments were Sergeant
Craig Chenhall and Senior Constable Ivan Marinov. 
Vince Kelly, Ian Park, Owen Blackwell, Elio Valenti, Chris Castle, Dave Proctor
Squad members swear this was already here on their arrival!
I t i s a s l o w d ay i n a l i t t l e G r ee k V i l l age …
The rain is beating down and the streets are
deserted. Times are tough, everybody is in debt,
and everybody lives on credit.
On this particular day a rich German tourist is
driving through the village, stops at the local hotel
and lays a $100 note on the desk, telling the hotel
owner he wants to inspect the rooms upstairs in
order to pick one to spend the night.
The owner gives him some keys and, as soon as
the visitor has walked upstairs, the hotelier grabs
the $100 note and runs next door to pay his debt
to the butcher.
The butcher takes the $100 note and runs down
the street to repay his debt to the pig farmer.
The pig farmer takes the $100 note and heads off
to pay his bill at the supplier of feed and fuel.
The guy at the Farmers’ Co-op takes the $100
note and runs to pay his drinks bill at the taverna.
The publican slips the money along to the local
prostitute drinking at the bar, who has also been
facing hard times and has had to offer him
“services” on credit. The hooker then rushes to the
hotel and pays off her room bill to the hotel owner
with the $100 note.
The hotel proprietor then places the $100 note
back on the counter so the rich traveller will not
suspect anything.
At that moment the traveller comes down the
stairs, picks up the $100 note, states
that the rooms are not satisfactory, pockets the
money, and leaves town. No one produced anything.
No one earned anything. However, the whole
village is now out of debt and looking to the future
with a lot more optimism.
And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is how a bailout
package works.
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
23
Golf Club Report
24
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
SOCIAL
By Matt ALLEN
On Friday afternoon 26 August 2011 the
Weekly 9-hole afternoon golf competitions are held
Northern Territory Police Golf Club (NTPGC) hosted
in Darwin, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy and Alyangula.
the annual charity golf day at the Darwin Golf Club.
New members are welcome for a social hit regardless
40 teams totalling 200 competitors from police and
of golfing ability. The 2012 Police Legacy Charity Golf
partner agencies hacked away diligently at Peter
Day will again be held at the Darwin Golf Club on the
Thompson’s pristine championship layout.
24 August this year. 
Tireless volunteers took charge of drink carts,
buttered bread, turned snags, manned static drink
stations, dodged wayward drives, sorted score cards
and above all witnessed some of the best dressed
athletes ever seen in the top end.
Heads were turning when the Shiny Jinies,
Swingers and Katherine’s very own Hicks with Sticks
1 and 2 strutted to their allocated tee blocks. Not
to be outdone, hats went off to Team Sipowicz who
suddenly emerged from a hazard complete with
With thanks from
the Golf Club
moustaches and shaved NYPD hairlines, clearly
demonstrating their commitment to police legacy.
Numerous local businesses supported the day by
donating prizes which were used for fundraising
raffles, overall net and gross winners, place getters,
longest drives and nearest to the pins. The top of the
leaderboard was tied even after the handicap dice roll.
City Tyres won in a ‘dice play off’ and to this day the
players proudly remind other punters of how well the
trophy fits in their shopfront.
The NTPGC donated $12,000 to NT Police Legacy in
2011, bringing the total to $23,000 over the past two
years. The club appreciates the overwhelming support
each year from police members, partner agencies,
volunteers, sponsors and the NTPGC committee.
Exciting times are approaching in 2012 with the
NT Police Golf Club team travelling to Perth in March
for the Australian Championships, playing courses
such as the Vines and Joondalup. This event will be
NTPGC is a non-profit organisation which
provides weekly competitions for police
golfers throughout the Northern Territory.
The NTPGC also provide significant annual
donations to Police Legacy.
The NTPA’s generous support greatly
assisted fundraising at the annual charity
golf day. NTPGC proudly donated $12000
to NT Police Legacy.
A full playing field of 200 (40 teams of
5 players) from NT Police and partner
agencies participated. It was an enjoyable
day and again the event was an
overwhelming success.
The NTPGC Committee appreciates your
support and wishes to formally thank you
for your generous product donation
and sponsorship.
followed by the Australian Matchplay Championships
in November. For the first time we will send a NT
team comprising ten of our best golfers to the
Murray River.
The Australian Police Golf Championships is coming
to Alice Springs in 2014 and the club is about to
commence two years of preparation for this significant
Many thanks on behalf of the
NTPGC Committee,
Matt ALLEN
NTPGC
national event: securing a major sponsor being on the
top of the list.
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
25
NATIONAL Round-up
This is what is happening at police
associations around Australia
Police Association of
New South Wales
The fight for our death
and disability protections
In late 2011, the Police Association of New South
Wales (PANSW) was forced to defend its hardworking
and dedicated police officers after the state
government proposed a raft of changes to the Death
and Disability scheme.
The scheme was established in 2005 after 17 years
of campaigning to provide a level of financial security
to officers injured on duty.
Yet, despite these former safe-keepings, the state
government announced that the scheme was
unsustainable and sought to slash officers’ pay
and protections.
More than 5000 uniformed police officers
descended on New South Wales Parliament on
22 November 2011 to protest the government’s
proposed changes.
Officers marched from Hyde Park to Parliament
House in Sydney, where they were met by applauding
parliamentary supporters and bystanders.
Chanting “Shame, Barry, Shame!” and holding
placards with slogans including “Cops Deserve
government agreeing to amendments of crossbenchers,
the Shooters Party and Christian Democrats.
The achieved amendments, as lobbied by the
PANSW, included a 1.8 percent contribution cap; 100
percent salary top-up for a further 13-week period
(beyond the initial six month period) and 75 percent
income protection for a five-year period (as opposed
to the initial eight months at 75 percent and the
remaining period at 65 percent).
The PANSW suspended Level 4 industrial action in
early December but Association president Scott Weber
said the passing of the legislation was not the end of
the fight.
“Our Death and Disability Protections are much
too important to let go. We have been forced by the
Industrial Relations Commission and the New South
Wales Police Force to suspend industrial action and we
have now implemented a comprehensive, integrated,
political and legal strategy.
“The fight will go on as long as it takes to get a
decent Death and Disability Scheme for all members.”
Police Association of South Australia
and cheered as their executive members - including
Government breaks
recruiting commitment
President Scott Weber, Vice-President Pat Gooley,
The South Australian government announced in
Treasurer Prue Burgun and Assistant Secretary
December that it would go against a pre-election
(Organising) Greg Black - took to a stage on Macquarie
commitment and slow the rate of police recruiting.
Better” and “Protect Our Police”, the officers jeered
Street to address the crowd. Members including
The decision was made as part of a raft of spending
Curlewis Constable Simon Shannon, Springwood
cuts aimed at saving $141 million from the state
Sergeant Allanah Anson and Bathurst Inspector Ross
budget. It goes against a commitment the government
Wilkinson also spoke to the crowd.
made before the last election to recruit an extra 313
“I never thought I’d see the day when we had over
5000 police officers, mostly marching in uniform,
police, over and above attrition, by 2014.
According to Treasurer Jack Snelling, the
against a direction of a commissioner who is not
recruitment of those additional police will now not
supporting us,” Mr Weber said.
be completed until 2016. The government believes
On 25 November 2011, the reforms passed through
parliament with the state’s lower house voting for the
Police Amendment (Death and Disability) Bill 2011,
59 votes to 23.
26
The vote came a day after the upper house
passed the legislation in a late night sitting, with the
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
the delay will deliver a $50 million budget saving,
although it is unclear how that figure was reached.
The decision was made without consultation
with the Police Association or with SAPOL, which
NSW Police Rally in Sydney
is responsible for delivering the outcome. SAPOL
State Budget
has already initiated recruiting campaigns in South
The department recently announced a further
Australia and the UK.
reduction in police vehicles by 31, also increasing
The Police Association called for the election
mileage on vehicles before sale and only allocating
commitment because it believed additional police
Falcon and Commodores for general or traffic duties.
were required to deliver the raft of services the
Vehicles not used for those duties will be 4 cylinder
community and government expect.
vehicles. Specialist and 4WD vehicles will be subject to
Current law-and-order policies, greater
a separate strategy. The Department has also flagged
administrative demands owing to disclosure rules
its intention to withdraw mobile phones except for
and new legislation relating to hoon-driving, illegal
those issued to officers ranked Inspector and above,
firearms, serious and organized crime, alcohol-fuelled
senior executive service positions and staff support.
violence, licensing, and domestic violence all mean that
Consideration is also being given to replacing the
policing has never been more labour intensive.
provision of a mobile phone, for those who retain
Because the additional 313 police had been
access, with an allowance. The Department stated that
earmarked for operational duties, the delay will have
there is no intention to withdraw mobile phones that
consequences for the front line.
are needed for valid operational or safety reasons.
Police Association of Tasmania
Harmonised Work Place Health
& Safety Legislation
The PAT, Barry Sherriff, one of the authors of the
proposed legislation and Unions Tasmania Secretary
Kevin Harkins made verbal submissions before the
Legislative Council in support of the immediate
introduction of the legislation. The Bill was passed
The Police Association Victoria
As we move into 2012, we do so with optimism
that has been absent for many years. Policing in
Victoria has indeed taken massive strides in the
last twelve months, with a range of achievements,
announcements, appointments and, of course, the
successful end of our Enterprise Bargaining.
but was amended to change the operating date from
A quick scan of 2011reveals:
1 January 2012 to 1 January 2013. The Legislative
• A guarantee of 1,700 net additional police officers
Council took into consideration the ability for
employers to prepare for the introduction of the
legislation. The PAT was disappointed with the
amended operating date. The government has not yet
decided whether it will re-present the Bill in 2012 in
an attempt to change the amendment.
that has, so far, already seen a boost in the Force’s
frontline numbers.
• A new (and Victoria Police Force home-grown)
Chief Commissioner, Ken Lay APM.
• Confirmation that the Office of Police Integrity (OPI)
will be shut down and replaced by an Independent

NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
27
NATIONAL Round-up
Broad Based Anti-Corruption Commission, signalling
official realisation that corruption in this state just
might exist outside the police force.
• After nearly 12 months of negotiations and four
months of industrial actions taken by our members,
we have achieved what is, in our eyes, a very
are on a downward trend, not an upward trend.
The development of a Code of Practice for Policing
is aimed at drawing attention to the need for more
focus on police work health and safety and driving
better performance in this key area of policing.
Safe Work Australia is convening a working party
successful EB outcome. A 4.72 per cent compounded
to prepare the Code which would have official status
annual pay-rise and a range of improved conditions
under the harmonized Work Health and Safety Act
for members, including a return to nine weeks
which so far extends federally, and to Queensland,
“leave” for every full-time member. As intended,
South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital
the new salary and conditions began to flow
Territory, although it is expected that all jurisdictions
through to members on 1 December 2011.
will ultimately be covered.
The PFA is a member of the working party, as is
Police Federation of Australia
ANZPAA, the Australian and New Zealand Policing
Advancing police health and safety
Advisory Agency representing all of the nation’s
With the new ‘national’ Work Health and Safety
Police Commissioners.
legislation in five jurisdictions, the Police Federation
of Australia (PFA) is contributing to development of
Commissioners to do all that is reasonably practicable
a Code of Practice for Policing. Our aim is to ensure
to eliminate or minimize the risk to officers of injury
that any Code applying to police drives improvement
or illness from the work that they do. This involves
in safety on the front line and reduces the incidence
identifying hazards, assessing risks and reducing
of injury and illness resulting from the sometimes
those risks. It means that careful planning and
hazardous circumstances that police officers confront.
proper resourcing, along with good intelligence and
Across Australia, 750 police officers have died in the
line of duty, 38 since the year 2000. From 2000
to 2010, workers’ compensation claims for serious
communication, need to go into general duties policing
and operations.
The Act also places an obligation on police officers
injury and illness rose from 1,460 to 1,960, an
(in fact all workers) to take reasonable care for their
increase of 34 per cent.
own health and safety and that of others.
In total there were more than 16,310 police claims
The PFA, with major input from its State and
for serious injury and illness in the last decade.
Territory Branches, is developing a series of practical
These figures from Safe Work Australia are the best
case studies and scenarios to demonstrate, in the Code,
available, but they understate the national picture
practical ways of reducing the risks officers face in
because Western Australian figures do not appear in
general duties policing, and the many things that can
workers’ compensation statistics.
go wrong without effective care. The case studies will
The largest categories of serious claims were for:
• mental stress at 4,410
• body stressing at 4,060
• being hit by moving objects at 2,615
(175 of these incidents in 2010 were from
assaults; 1,685 over ten years)
• falls, trips and slips at 2,460.
28
The new Act puts the primary duty of care on
drive home the need for significant improvement in
police health and safety which is what we believe a
Code should deliver if it is to have value.
The PFA could stand aside from the process of
developing the Code, wash our hands of the task, or we
can contribute with a view to ensuring the outcome
actually makes a difference to police officer work health
and safety. We are committed to the latter course.
When the draft Code is prepared, a wide process of
There is clearly much more that can be done to
consultation with rank and file police officers must take
improve police officer work health and safety across
place before the Code achieves any official status through
the nation and to ensure that serious injury and illness
ministerial approval. This will be well into 2012. 
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE
Why A Chapel
The origin of the Chapel came about more than
peter wright senior chaplain
Spirituality is not necessarily about a particular
1,000 years ago. It was the place where relics were
faith group, but can be. It is also about how we see
stored. It was a place of worship attached to a mother
ourselves, our values and ideals, emphasising the
church. Many palaces have a chapel which is a small
human spirit.
place of worship. They can also be attached to schools,
large homes, institutions, airports or simply a room set
Feemster suggests that spirituality matters to effective
practice and performance in seven primary ways:
aside for private or small group worship / meditation.
Many police establishments have a chapel of one
1 spirituality nourishes the inner being of members,
kind or another. For instance Vicpol has an extremely
inoculating, protecting, and refreshing them from
large chapel, more like a cathedral than a chapel. Other
dangerous levels of multiple stressors
police jurisdictions have chapels built specifically by
the police, or a room where members can come aside.
A number of years ago I was asked about the need
for a chapel for the NT Police. Up until now nothing has
been done to address this question.
The Police Association and I have been stirred
along to now look at the possibility of having a chapel
and we now have an idea of what a chapel in the
NT might look like and the possibility of a chapel
being constructed. Although chapels came out of the
Christian tradition they are very much open to people
of all faith groups and those with no faith traditions.
The chapel is primarily a place of worship for all. It
is a place where weddings, christenings, funerals and
other special events can take place.
It is not a designated denomination or faith group
2 spirituality unleashes vitality by reengaging
members in the spirit of the law
3 spirituality heals the deepest, most invisible trauma
of wounded warriors
4 spirituality provides an antidote from the toxicity of
evil, thereby promoting wellness beyond survival
5 spirituality nurtures longevity in law enforcement
6 spirituality enhances intuitive policing, emotional
intelligence, stress management
7 spirituality, according to new evidence, strengthens
brain function
The chapel is a place for members and others to
come to be reinvigorated, to focus and continue on and
to be of greater value to the organisation. We will have
building, but rather a sacred place for those who wish
a discussion with the Commissioner in the near future
to go there, for whatever reason.
to seek his support and input into our ideas.
It is a place to reflect, to refocus and to be in the
We envisage a building that would seat
presence of God in a quiet place. It is a place just to
approximately 170-200 people, and would be for the
sit and be still. It can also be a place to go following a
Tri –Service and ideally include an office for
critical incident, to get away and have a quiet time.
our Chaplain.
An article I read entitled “Wellness and Spirituality”
The chapel could also be a further place for
reminds us that the whole person needs to be looked
remembrance of those who have lost their lives in
after. That is mind, body and spirit. An FBI Special
the line of duty. 
Agent, Samuel Feemster said, “spirituality does not
weaken the best aspects of policing; rather, it greatly
Peter Wright
accentuates them”.
Senior Chaplain NT PFES
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
29
book review
Jack Knife The crashing
of a policeman
(NSW Police & PTSD)
By Paul ‘Little Jack’ Horner
Published by Zeus Publications
RRP: $32.95
www.zeus.publications.com
Let me say from the outset this story may be
town harmed in some way. Their intense policing
South Wales Senior Constable Paul ‘Jack’ Horner’s
experiences are only tempered by the deep and life-
career is a fine reflection of what has happened to very
long relationships they develop with work mates.
many other former and serving police across all the
This is not to make a judgement on the type of
Australian police jurisdictions. Post Traumatic Stress
‘customer’ encountered in these towns as the
Disorder (PTSD) is very real and is a tragic, irreversible
demolition of social mores and the poverty trap that
side effect for most police arising from them just doing
dominates these places happened long before Paul
the job they loved, a job, in the vast majority of cases,
Horner and his wife, Jenny arrived in the town.
performed with great distinction.
30
Most, if not all who serve in this location leave the
disturbing for some readers. Why? Well, former New
Paul Horner is a very good friend. In this book he
Whereas Paul Horner’s true story in Jack Knife –
talks lovingly of his police friends. He takes the reader
The Crashing of a Policeman may not be dissimilar
on a fast, exciting ride as he details his worst moments
to a plethora of other stories, the difference is that he
and his very best moments in his early postings in
has bravely chosen to make his policing experiences
Sydney and in that career defining country location.
and his subsequent suffering public. There may be
When he hits obstacles from management he ups the
something cathartic for him in doing this, but in
invective. Some may not be attracted to the ‘in your
doing so he is to be highly commended and admired.
face’ approach taken by Paul in this book but there
The psychological demons that are ever-present
is an assured golden thread of truth shining through
and haunting for most, if not all PTSD sufferers, are
his words.
sometimes best left undisturbed. So to take this book
As a piece of pure real life literature Paul may be
on and wake your own unwanted harmful emotional
the first to admit that Jack Knife is not going to win
memories of complex policing experiences should be
many awards. The very blokey and colloquial style of
done with caution.
writing, it could be argued, may reduce the efficacy of
Paul is of a rare breed of New South Wales police
the story. I am not of that view, although you do feel
officer. He chose to perform country service, not in a
at times that if Paul had elaborated a little more his
quiet, little country town full of retired graziers and
messages may have been more effective. There is real
4-wheel drives, but in a medium sized town in far
desire, at times, when reading this story, for Paul to
north-west New South Wales. The reward to taking
explain the bigger picture. He does though consolidate
on this type of general duty is a coastal posting after
your understanding of his reactions to a vast array of
three years, but at what cost to your mental health
operational and managerial harms he suffered during
and dignity?
his 11 years of service. 
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
competitions
Congratulations to Brendan McLinden
from Katherine who came up with the
winning caption for the photo in the
December issue of the NT Police News.
‘The RBT straw that prevented the camel
breaking its back’.
Thanks to all the other contributors.
We were wrong...
In December the NT Police News
inadvertently identified Peter TysonDonnelly as supplying our last
competition photo “Breathalyser
Course”. The photo was supplied
by Neil Mclean.
✂
Who are they?
Do you recognise these
three, fresh-faced young
men? This photo was taken
during their training in
1980. They are still serving.
Be the first person to
correctly name the three
and you will win a NTPA
jacket valued at $50.00.
Send your answer to ‘Who are they?’ NTPA, GPO Box 2350, Darwin, 0801.
The competition closes on Monday, April 6. Executive and NTPA staff are excluded from
this competition. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Answer
Name
Phone
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
31
MEMBER UPDATE
Resignations
NTPA GIFT SHOP
Kelly Seden
ACPO
17-Sep-11
Adam Beecham
Snr Constable
21-Dec-11
Per Henrik Nilsson
Snr Constable
19-Dec-11
Malcolm Passmore
Snr Sgt
30-Dec-11
Anita Newman
Constable First Class
22-Dec-11
Ted Williams
Constable 21-Dec-11
• NTPA and NTPF caps
Katie-Anne Frederickson Auxiliary1
0-Jan-12
Skye Hanson
Snr Constable
23-Jan-12
Dale Howe
Constable First Class
1-Feb-12
Thomas Newton
Constable First Class
20-Jan-12
• Stubby coolers, coffee and
travel mugs, ties, pens,
keyrings, compendiums,
cooler bags, novel bottle
openers, plaques and more!
Robert PocockTrainee Constable
9-Dec-11
Carly Vowels
27-Jan-12
Auxiliary
• Men’s and Women’s Polo Shirts
and Chambray Shirts
• NTPA Windshield Jackets with
removable sleeves
Check our website
www.ntpa.com.au
or come into our store at
5 Foelsche Street, Darwin.
Retirements
Changed your address?
Sanne Baltoft-Henderson Snr Police Auxiliary
18-Nov-11
Frederick Huysse
30-Dec-11
Sergeant
Please let the NTPA know if you
change address or contact details.
Email: [email protected]
or telephone
8981 8840
Thank You
32
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS
TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONALS
511 Tactical is a
Strategic partner
of the F.B.I. national
Academy associates
WOMEN’S
HAND PROTECTION
MEN’S
Our gloves set new standards for dexterity,
fit, comfort and durability whilst maintaining
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Lightweight and fast drying. Get them on!
TAC–A2 or Station Grip Gloves $29.99ea
PATROL READY BAG
FREE SOCKS WITH BOOT PURCHASE
Our boots are famous for their lightweight comfort and quality.
Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes and guaranteed against
defects. Buy a pair of boots featured here and receive a pair of
5.11 socks worth $12.99. 5.11 boots & socks make a great team!
5.11 Taclite 6” Boot or
5.11 A.T.A.C® 6” Boot
$149.99ea
Designed for Patrol Officers.
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it. Functional, durable and great value.
Tactical Patrol Ready Bag $49.99
5.11 TDU PANT
5.11 Taclite 8” Boot or
5.11 A.T.A.C® 8” Boot
$159.99ea
Shop on-line, over the phone or visit one of our stores
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For 30 years our pants have delivered
superior fit and durability. Tough poly-cotton
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ready. Colours & sizes to suit all professionals.
5.11 TDU Pant $59.99ea
PHONE: 1300 668 193
www.511tacticalaustralia.com.au
5.11 Tactical Australia/New Zealand, 19 Clements Ave, Bankstown 2200
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