6 March 2025
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) is calling out the integrity of Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy following his stunning admission that he failed to manage a serious conflict of interest.
In 2024, Commissioner Murphy chaired a promotional panel that appointed his friend to an Executive position with the Northern Territory Police Force - while also supplying the candidate with his personal resume and acting as a personal referee to the applicant. This blatant improper conduct raises serious ethical concerns and further erodes trust within the ranks of the Northern Territory Police Force.
NTPA President Nathan Finn said the revelations have ignited widespread frustration and anger amongst our members, who once again find themselves questioning the integrity of their leadership.
“This has triggered deep anger and frustration amongst our members and brings into disrepute the whole police force. Our members are fed up with the lack of integrity shown and question the Commisioners ability to remain in his position.
“This is yet another example of the Northern Territory Police Force Executive failing to uphold the very standards they demand of others. It is a slap in the face to the hardworking men and women on the ground who put their lives on the line every day.
“We are calling out the Commissioner’s integrity with his involvement in not only this Executive appointment, but for all of the other executive appointments referred to in the Commissioner’s broadcast of today.
“We also have grave concerns over the potential complicity of other panel members in the Commissioner’s unacceptable conduct in not properly managing what is an obvious serious conflict of interest. To say that the applicant was awarded the position on merit in this case is not sustainable when such a clear conflict of interest existed and was not managed.
“This is a blatant disregard for the Northern Territory Police Force and the underlying principles of the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, which was signed off by the Commissioner:
Ethical Practice – Holding the highest standards of professional conduct and integrity
Accountability – Taking responsibility of our actions
Impartiality – Ensuring fairness and balance in our advice and decision-making and interaction with others
"It also constitutes a clear violation of the Police Code of Conduct and Ethics, which explicitly outlines the proper handling of conflicts of interest.
"As to the Commissioner’s intended implementation of a written policy for police executive recruitment and managing conflicts of interest, it is not a matter of policy it’s a matter of character, character that this Commissioner lacks.
"The Commissioner’s actions—or lack of—speak louder than any strategic plan or policy. It speaks to a lack of accountability and integrity.
"The trust of our members in this Commissioner is now destroyed. Our members will not forget this betrayal and question his ability to continue as the Commissioner of Police.
"That is why the entire Executive board of the Northern Territory Police Association is unanimously calling upon the Commissioner to tender his resignation."
