30 January 2024
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) has released results from its latest member survey, which was undertaken to guide the Association’s comprehensive submission to the NT Police Force Resource Allocation Review.
The Review, which is led by former NT police officer and former NTPA President Mr. Vince Kelly APM, is scheduled to be completed and a final report handed to the NT Government by the end of March 2024. The NTPA’s submission was provided to the Review team, Commissioner Murphy and Police Minister Brent Potter on Friday 19 January 2024.
NTPA President, Nathan Finn said the results of the survey should come as no surprise to the Senior Police Executive, nor the NT Government.
“This data reinforces what our members have been saying for years: the NT Police Force doesn’t have enough officers to meet the demand for a policing response right across the Territory, our members don’t feel supported by the NT Government, they are required to undertake excessive levels of overtime, and as a result of chronic understaffing, critical under resourcing and burnout, a significant number of surveyed officers are considering leaving the NT Police Force altogether.
“Whilst we welcome the establishment of the Review, there must be a commitment from the NT Government to appropriately fund the recommendations and consult with the NTPA on the implementation of those recommendations. Otherwise, it’ll just be another review sitting on a shelf collecting dust, like A Review of Northern Territory Police Resource Allocation Efficiency and Operation Capabilities from 2012.
“Our members, and the community deserve better,” said Mr Finn.
In total, there were 713 member responses to the survey, which ran from 09 December to 22 December 2023. That equates to 42.9 per cent of the eligible NTPA membership.
The highest response rates came from Senior Constables (21.46%) and Sergeants (18.09%), and those with five years or less of service (29.87%) and between 6 – 10 years of service (18.51%). The highest number of respondents were gazetted to the Greater Darwin Region (55.40%).
Key results show:
98.04% of respondents do not believe there are enough police to do what is asked of them;
90.18% have been required to work overtime in the last three (3) months;
61.29% performed duties outside of their usual work unit to address resourcing/staffing issues in another unit/section/location;
91.44% do not feel supported by the NT Government;
62.69% rated morale as low, or very low; and
76.44% have considered an exit strategy from the NT Police Force in the last six (6) months.
We also asked members specific questions relating to remote service, and it was identified only 16.97% of respondents were either considering or actively seeking a remote posting. Respondents listed Quality of departmental housing, Adequate staffing levels and Being able to maintain a work-life balance as the top three most important factors that would attract them to a remote posting.
“These results are not surprising given the regular and consistent feedback we receive from members regarding the standard of remote housing, the lack of relief and support for members stationed in remote areas, and the absence of a work-life balance due to the demand volume and resource deficit,” said Mr Finn.
ENDS
Please direct all media enquiries to NTPA Communications Officer +61 (0) 499 017 654 or media@ntpa.com.au
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) is the industrial voice of all members of the Northern Territory Police Force. Read more via www.ntpa.com.au or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NTPoliceAssociation
