Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
As I mentioned, the Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy
yesterday issued a public disorder declaration for Alice Springs, i e.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
A curfew.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Now that declaration includes a restricted movement provision in the
Alice Springs CBD for all residents and visitors to the
town between ten pm and six am, So essentially no
one can be in the CBD unless they've got a
good reason between those hours. Not just dudes this time,
but adults as well. Joining us on the show live
(00:30):
from Alice Springs is the Northern Territory Police Commissioner, Michael Murphy.
Good morning to you, Commissioner.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Now how did things go last night?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Very polating, very well, higher levels of cooperation. That's in contrast,
completely different place than the preceding nights. We had some
dedicated office to the declared area with the disorder the
geographical area. Initially at ten pm there still the large
one hundred people around the CBD that dispersed after engagement.
(01:06):
They continuing on from ten pm, forty four persons were engaged,
twenty three were actually directed to leave the area and comply,
eighteen others had lawful reasons to be there. They were
two youths provided to the youth workers or alongside us.
One of the adults went to night patrol and a
youth was arrested for a serious preacher bail who came
(01:28):
into declared area. So there was obviously a lot of
proactive engagement as well. So I went into the saber
d just after fall this morning just to sense check
and speak to the officers. Made a commitment to help
the community and their colleagues and our springs as well.
Then we saw a number of people getting into the
ATM interstate visitors. They weren't aware of the declaration and
(01:53):
were informed and irrespective or there for a lawful reason.
We had a number of people walking through through the
area just to get home, which is perfectly understandable. Then
we had a particular customing episode from intoxicated mail and
was consuming liquor who was un comprehended and given a
band drinkers order. But realistically it was a pretty good night.
(02:15):
We did have a number of three vehicles and a
the declared area that were monitored bearing a company's logo,
and some police work found out that the business had
been lented and we worked with the owner. The vehicles recovered.
The three vehicles south of town. We haven't made any
arrests yet, but by probably on top of it and
identify who's responsible.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
So there were still three vehicles. Three vehicles still stolen
last night.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
The three vehicles so on last night where they came
through the CB day obviously driving a bit radically mino
monitors south of town. They were basically abandoned, were recovered
to ones I think in a river bed that's bogged
and that'll bit of recovery a bit later on. But
there we haven't actually made an arrest associated with that yet,
but a continent Bible World.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Now Commissioner tell us in terms of the in terms
of the you know the declaration that was made earlier
in the week, why was that decision made for the lockdown.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
I think a cumorably what we saw across a lot
of people coming out of springs from across central Australia
and outside the territory for school holidays, a show which
was on Friday and Saturday. We've seen estimating between five
or over five thousand additional people in town. A lot
(03:36):
of people are sleeping rough and in the river. Access
to alcohol was a concern and visible as well. We
had our officer at the bottle shop. He tried to
engage with a drink driver and was a driver accelerated
in reverse and the officer was run over over his
arm and leat and it was obviously hospitalized and had
(03:58):
to undergo surgery. On Saturday evening, we saw a large
group congregate on the council lawns at the town council
lawns and we were responded to that and we had
to engage with them. Quite disruptive and threatening police there
was ASR was deployed. We eventually dispersed them. They ran
(04:20):
into the river and subsequently as they went down to
the river and as soulded the four off duty police
officers and were walking home on Paris. And then we
saw a stabbing between two women the following day on
the council lawns. So you know, there's a lot of
other little things happening as well, but the amount of
harm and the tolerance, it's not normal. We have to
(04:42):
stop the levels of that type of violence. So this
was very considered and important vision. I had to consider
a lot of things about the impact on the society,
the community, the impact upon movement, of people, the geographical location,
the resource investment, all those things. At the end of
the day, we can provide a really short term relief.
(05:03):
That's what we've done. We'll consider it over the next
few days about what the future holds that are now
engage and provided by to the Minister about an extension.
But what I've got is a whole group of police
here really committed to community safety and working incredibly hard
to make a difference because they live here. Alice Springs
is a great place. We want people to be safe.
(05:23):
We've got serious to come here. We don't want to
see the high level of harm we've seen, and you know,
we can't see officers assaulted or they're doing their job
as well.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Well, that's exactly right.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
It's pretty appalling, I think the behavior that you've just
spoken about there. So how many additional officers have been
deployed to Alice.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So I've got fifth day and I spoke to some
officers last night that threw him from Darwin. So he
just to assist with the policing and the zone around
the Claar area. So it's about that engagement and education
and using discussion as well, making sure people know that's
really important as well suggest the platform where the harm occurs,
(06:01):
and it is a very small geographical area. It's a
lot smaller than the restricted the high risk area that
we previously saw in the earlier lockdown. So this is
in essence new legislation that seem tan is to reduce
and prevent and stop the harms we saw, and it's
in a short period of time it's been successful.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
I mean, there'll be some people listening wondering what exactly
the threshold is going to be for something like this
to be enacted. Look to me, I think when you've
got eighty odd people on the lawns across from the
council or near the council there fighting with each other,
it seems like that is quite a high threshold to meet.
Even then when you look at what's happened with those
(06:41):
off duty officers and others, you know, being involved in
different incidents. But what would you consider was the threshold
for you in terms of calling this.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
I think it's about the connectedness in geography, the high
level of people who are not impoused or accommodated, who
are in public spaces and intoxicated. I think that's the
levels of harm we experience. So we see stabbing on
the town council lawns that domestic violence related, which is
(07:14):
someone's been charged with recklessly and danger life. It's probably
lucky that the other party hasn't been killed. We'd see
higher levels of disruption, intoxicated disruption and assault on four
paper irrespective whether they're opp duty police. They could have
been four other citizeners who are trying to do their
own business work hoole and they've been attacked, violently, assaulted
(07:36):
and robbed. We see the fact that an intoxicated driver
who has three times over the limit has run over
one of our post officers doing the job. I think
those whole things connected and the geography of the space
and the consideration and we see the events occurring, and
that's why the time zones between ten and six and
I have to consider about the impact on movement and
(07:58):
liberty do have made off Wete which is a really
important divration and most of the conduct during the day
is pretty good. That's a night as later hours where
we see high levels of harm and that's where we
can inddict successfully and reduce those levels. And that's about
that prevention and reduction structure strategy.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
So the commissioner in relation it is.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
To legislation, and you know it it's you know where
we're going to learn as we apply it and think
through it. And you know, I previously thought about applying
this across Catherine as well, that the Catherine was quite
expansive geographically. We did have some instances of some bagsnatually
and smash windows in the CBD. That the poor Lie
type is domestic violence and high levels of it expansion
(08:41):
across Catherine and the region. So you know, it is
a careful consideration and as we work through the application
of the legislation, I'll learn, the team, we learn, and
we'll probably work through that threshold.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Means, look, I am keen.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
To talk about Catherine, but I might get to that
in just a moment. I want to ask you in
terms of the the four off duty officers who were assaulted,
has there been any arrests now in relation to that?
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Yeah, the Criminal Investigation Brands has still got that matter.
So there are a number of people involved in that.
You know, where we're thinking of over twenty and I
was initially reported as youth. We're learning to want all adults.
But you know, they're the people that were on the
town council lowns, so I've got ACTV. We can examine.
(09:26):
It's dark there as well on the fringes of the river,
so it's identification evidence is something they need to overcome.
But the detectives are working through that at the moment.
But you know, we call the witnesses, anyone with information,
all those responsible who may have some information, just reach
out to us and let us know so we can
we can clearly sharp and get some resolution on it.
(09:47):
Do you work underway?
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Do you believe that those police officers were targeted or
was it just an opportunistic situation.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
There's no indication at all that they were targeted known
to be police officers. Badly was a brand new recruit
who don't graduate on the twin deth consume who the
student to start work tomorrow. She wasn't known to anyone.
There's no indication they were targeted. The fact that the
large group had been engaged with police and basically run
(10:16):
off down the river. They'd come across these fall and
that's an opportunity opportunity and they've just made a really
poor incredise to assault them and rob them.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Commissioner, is she still going to be starting work tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
No, No, she's not spoken into the four officers involved.
Our two officers were at work if today and the
other two who were went to hospital and will be
taking some time off to get to rest. They you know,
they got some moderate physical injuries, but I think you
know the impact about the four of them psychologically, actually
(10:50):
being assaulted and kicked and punished and robbed has had
an impact on them. So they just need some time
just to rest, and we'll get them back on the
ground and support them to look.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
I hope that they make a full and speedy recovery.
I can't imagine how they must have felt after going
through that and to be frightening for anybody.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Now.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
In terms of this large scale disturbance as well, involving
up to eighty people on those council lawns, the group
had been, as I understand it from the statement that
you guys had issued yesterday at two licensed premises earlier
in the evening before crossing the road to the council
lawns and engaging in disturbances. As I now understand as well,
Northern Territory Police have served a notice of suspension two
(11:31):
licensed premises both located on Todd Street in Nalls. Were
they the locations where those people have been drinking at?
Speaker 3 (11:40):
Yeah, well, we're suggesting there's a connection between the sailor
about whole the licensed premises and the direct linkage two
problems and the civil distandances across the road. But this
isn't just a one off. The management team have engaged
with both these licensed premises on a number of engagements
about how they're conducting their business and the intoxication levels,
(12:04):
responsible service of alcohol and working with licensing. So we
just work together to correct it and we've got powers
available to us, and the commands made a decision which
I support, to issue that forty AUO our suspension others
to close those license premises and all further engage with
them throughout the week.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Is the accusation that they were serving people who are intoxicated,
and you know, like, what exactly was the concern?
Speaker 2 (12:29):
I suppose?
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Yeah, Look, the command has got a brief on it.
He's the one that's typed up the report and serve
the notice. But it's exactly that. It's about the responsible
service and alcohol and then people will leave the premises
their state of intoxication and the behaviors they engage in
which are harmful, which is then leads to the civil disturbances,
the violent conduct and the like. So there's a definite
(12:52):
connection between the alcohol, the liquor, the consumption, responsible service
and the behaviors we see outside that.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Are you expecting any further alcohol restrictions.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
Not at this point in time. No, Look, it's something
we can we can talk to licensing about. We do
have pretty tight restrictions in our springs at the moment.
It is a regulated and lawful substance. Had a business,
that's how we best address that. But we're a lot
pretty tight measures in place, and we do have police
at the bottle shops to help monitor that and about
(13:26):
the sale. Secondary supply is still a problem we need
to monitor as well. That alcohol and the consumption of
which are is still a considerable concern. And in all
the unresse we're saying across the last ninety six.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Hours, So in terms of the curfew or the lockdown,
or the declaration, whatever you want to call it, do
you expect that there could be an extension to that?
Speaker 3 (13:49):
It's probably too early to call. We're assessing that day
by day I'll have to make a decision before the
expiration of the third day. So I haven't made a
call all on that yet. I think it's too early.
It'll be clear probably the completion of tomorrow. But yeah,
I'll be advised as what we see the impact that's made,
(14:10):
how the impacts community, about what approach I make to
the Minister and we extend on mine.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
There has been some sort of questioning I guess as
to whether you know it was your decision to make
this declaration or whether the Police Minister had had any
interference in you making that decision.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Was it yours and yours alone?
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Absolutely, Katie, there's no interference politically. I told the Minister
on Sunday that I was thinking about options available to me,
including the new legislation. He has an influence, man or
it's my decision and my decision alone.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Now.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
You touched on Catherine just a couple of moments ago.
Catherine is an area that had been raised with us
in recent weeks as to whether there should be a
curfew called there. I know that Joe Hersey, the local member,
had said to me on air just a couple of
weeks ago. You know, Katie, things are not good there's
groups of youths running a market nighttime. I mean, we've
we've seen the press releases come out from Northern Territory
(15:02):
Police where you've got youths targeting service stations and various
different things going on. We've just had a caller call
through saying that you know that somebody was trying to
pry through, pry through security screens off his neighbour's business overnight.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
You know the.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Hairdresser there attempt to break ins is Catherine. I mean,
you touched on the geographic sort of concerns I suppose,
but it doesn't sound as though Catherine is an area
that you're looking at implementing a curfew.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
So we're just going to move away from the language
of curfew because we're talking about the public disorder decoration,
so that the time frame is a tool available on
the legislation, but it's enacting some powers to us to
control movements of people for certain reasons. But Catherine is
on a radar and it's the high parodies, and we've
got additional resources and an operation currently running in Catherine
(16:00):
of Territory Safety Division and some other assets for helping
the front line to address some of the problems there.
So it's understanding the problem. Last time when we saw
the high spate of crime there was about six or
eight years. Who are really responsible and that the attacks
on the further stations and the people trying to work there.
Really it is it does concern me. And it's about
(16:20):
the vulnerabilities of those late night retailers. So retail security
is a gender as well. So we've got extra resources
focusing on that, focusing on who's responsible, focusing on the
domestic violence as well, but providing support to the front line.
So that's going to help us understand the demand in Catherine.
When I looked at the data for Catherine, we didn't
(16:41):
see a spike, but what I saw was incredible at
high rates of crime, particularly domestic violence, that are totally unacceptable.
So not just police, but a number of government agencies
and engineers are going to help us reduce that. We've
got the new portfolio, the Domestic and Family Violence and
New Portfolio, who are investing in making a difference. I'm
looking at the prevention engagement and look at the front
(17:02):
end to stop the violence. So that is a high
consumer of our time in Catherine, and we say the
high levels of palm across Catherine that shouldn't be there.
And again, Catherine is a hun or a lot of
visitors in wa and communities and we're preparing that even
for the show circuit. So we've got a bit of
a tempo with resources firing a show up through tending
(17:22):
create to Catherine to go and to make sure we're
there before the show and we're there after the show,
and to make sure that the Territorians can enjoy their
show safely.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Yeah. Well, you know this is the thing obviously, as
we've touched on part of the issue sparking from people
coming from communities for the show in Alice Springs, So
there are going to be by the sounds of preventative
measures taken to stop some similar issues for Darwin and Catherine.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Yeah. Absolutely, So we've got the Amounted Unit and Territory
Remote Policing Unit actually shadowing the show, as well as
some other resources from the Territory Safety Division that will
help the local assets on the ground for the show takeuit.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
I mean, Commissioner, I guess the issue we've got right
across the Northern Territory right now as people feel as
though there's not enough police on the ground they feel
as though, you know, they want that real high visibility policing.
They want the police to be there when they make
a phone call, when their car is stolen, when their
business is broken into, and they really don't feel like
there are enough officers. What do you say to people
(18:24):
listening this morning that are looking at Alice Springs and going,
how is this the new norm that needing to call
a public disorder declaration or you know, you're not wanting
to use the words curfew, but how is this the
new norm that this kind of thing is happening and
it's sort of almost being normalized.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Yeah, I'll tell you what, Katie, It's not normal. And
where invested to making that difference. You know, I totally
understand the community's feeling and frustration, and our priority is
when you pick up the phone to call for police assistance,
we can deploy a car to you. We're working really
hard to reduce the levels of crime. So we say
we don't have enough police. We actually have lots of police.
(19:06):
We just can't meet the demand at the moment. So
we've got to reduce the demand through work cooperabily across
the number of agencies, and then Joe's and we're starting
to do that, but we still have a lot of
work to do. The government has invested a significant amount
of money in policing. Five hundred and seventy million over
four years is an incredible investment. That's going to give
us two hundred extra cops. So we're recruiting lots of police.
(19:26):
We'll have forty three additional police in Alice Springs by
the end of July, which is off the back of
the last graduation and another graduation in July, so significant
investment across the territory. With the current squads, I think
you know in June were one hundred and twenty four
police going through programs and graduations in the college. That
number will continue for the next four years, if not
(19:48):
be higher. Getting police on the ground takes time. We've
got to identify the right people, we've got to put
them in training that takes six months, and then get
them out onto the operation side. But we're really invested
in the uniform making difference, doing engagement and particularly pitching
this cohort representing the community that we're going to serve,
and that will make an absolute difference as well. But
(20:09):
I understand we're trying to achieve. It's a high priority
for us to make sure that we address the call
center as well. We see three hundred and thirty thousand
calls coming to the call center every year. If I
can reduce that by ten percent, that's extraordinary amount of
time every month that's saved, so we can focus on
the demands of the public and get resources too quicker.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Well, Police Commissioner Michael Murphy, we are going to have
to leave it there. Really appreciate your time this morning,
and no doubt we'll probably hear from you later in
the week or we'll certainly hear what is going to
happen in Alice Springs in terms of whether there's to
be an extension or not.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Thank you for having a chat with us today.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Thanks Lendie, Thanks your time.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
We have a nice day you too. Thank you
As I mentioned, the Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy
yesterday issued a public disorder declaration for Alice Springs, i e.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
A curfew.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Now that declaration includes a restricted movement provision in the
Alice Springs CBD for all residents and visitors to the
town between ten pm and six am, So essentially no
one can be in the CBD unless they've got a
good reason between those hours. Not just dudes this time,
but adults as well. Joining us on the show live
(00:30):
from Alice Springs is the Northern Territory Police Commissioner, Michael Murphy.
Good morning to you, Commissioner.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Now how did things go last night?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Very polating, very well, higher levels of cooperation. That's in contrast,
completely different place than the preceding nights. We had some
dedicated office to the declared area with the disorder the
geographical area. Initially at ten pm there still the large
one hundred people around the CBD that dispersed after engagement.
(01:06):
They continuing on from ten pm, forty four persons were engaged,
twenty three were actually directed to leave the area and comply,
eighteen others had lawful reasons to be there. They were
two youths provided to the youth workers or alongside us.
One of the adults went to night patrol and a
youth was arrested for a serious preacher bail who came
(01:28):
into declared area. So there was obviously a lot of
proactive engagement as well. So I went into the saber
d just after fall this morning just to sense check
and speak to the officers. Made a commitment to help
the community and their colleagues and our springs as well.
Then we saw a number of people getting into the
ATM interstate visitors. They weren't aware of the declaration and
(01:53):
were informed and irrespective or there for a lawful reason.
We had a number of people walking through through the
area just to get home, which is perfectly understandable. Then
we had a particular customing episode from intoxicated mail and
was consuming liquor who was un comprehended and given a
band drinkers order. But realistically it was a pretty good night.
(02:15):
We did have a number of three vehicles and a
the declared area that were monitored bearing a company's logo,
and some police work found out that the business had
been lented and we worked with the owner. The vehicles recovered.
The three vehicles south of town. We haven't made any
arrests yet, but by probably on top of it and
identify who's responsible.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
So there were still three vehicles. Three vehicles still stolen
last night.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
The three vehicles so on last night where they came
through the CB day obviously driving a bit radically mino
monitors south of town. They were basically abandoned, were recovered
to ones I think in a river bed that's bogged
and that'll bit of recovery a bit later on. But
there we haven't actually made an arrest associated with that yet,
but a continent Bible World.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Now Commissioner tell us in terms of the in terms
of the you know the declaration that was made earlier
in the week, why was that decision made for the lockdown.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
I think a cumorably what we saw across a lot
of people coming out of springs from across central Australia
and outside the territory for school holidays, a show which
was on Friday and Saturday. We've seen estimating between five
or over five thousand additional people in town. A lot
(03:36):
of people are sleeping rough and in the river. Access
to alcohol was a concern and visible as well. We
had our officer at the bottle shop. He tried to
engage with a drink driver and was a driver accelerated
in reverse and the officer was run over over his
arm and leat and it was obviously hospitalized and had
(03:58):
to undergo surgery. On Saturday evening, we saw a large
group congregate on the council lawns at the town council
lawns and we were responded to that and we had
to engage with them. Quite disruptive and threatening police there
was ASR was deployed. We eventually dispersed them. They ran
(04:20):
into the river and subsequently as they went down to
the river and as soulded the four off duty police
officers and were walking home on Paris. And then we
saw a stabbing between two women the following day on
the council lawns. So you know, there's a lot of
other little things happening as well, but the amount of
harm and the tolerance, it's not normal. We have to
(04:42):
stop the levels of that type of violence. So this
was very considered and important vision. I had to consider
a lot of things about the impact on the society,
the community, the impact upon movement, of people, the geographical location,
the resource investment, all those things. At the end of
the day, we can provide a really short term relief.
(05:03):
That's what we've done. We'll consider it over the next
few days about what the future holds that are now
engage and provided by to the Minister about an extension.
But what I've got is a whole group of police
here really committed to community safety and working incredibly hard
to make a difference because they live here. Alice Springs
is a great place. We want people to be safe.
(05:23):
We've got serious to come here. We don't want to
see the high level of harm we've seen, and you know,
we can't see officers assaulted or they're doing their job
as well.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Well, that's exactly right.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
It's pretty appalling, I think the behavior that you've just
spoken about there. So how many additional officers have been
deployed to Alice.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So I've got fifth day and I spoke to some
officers last night that threw him from Darwin. So he
just to assist with the policing and the zone around
the Claar area. So it's about that engagement and education
and using discussion as well, making sure people know that's
really important as well suggest the platform where the harm occurs,
(06:01):
and it is a very small geographical area. It's a
lot smaller than the restricted the high risk area that
we previously saw in the earlier lockdown. So this is
in essence new legislation that seem tan is to reduce
and prevent and stop the harms we saw, and it's
in a short period of time it's been successful.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
I mean, there'll be some people listening wondering what exactly
the threshold is going to be for something like this
to be enacted. Look to me, I think when you've
got eighty odd people on the lawns across from the
council or near the council there fighting with each other,
it seems like that is quite a high threshold to meet.
Even then when you look at what's happened with those
(06:41):
off duty officers and others, you know, being involved in
different incidents. But what would you consider was the threshold
for you in terms of calling this.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
I think it's about the connectedness in geography, the high
level of people who are not impoused or accommodated, who
are in public spaces and intoxicated. I think that's the
levels of harm we experience. So we see stabbing on
the town council lawns that domestic violence related, which is
(07:14):
someone's been charged with recklessly and danger life. It's probably
lucky that the other party hasn't been killed. We'd see
higher levels of disruption, intoxicated disruption and assault on four
paper irrespective whether they're opp duty police. They could have
been four other citizeners who are trying to do their
own business work hoole and they've been attacked, violently, assaulted
(07:36):
and robbed. We see the fact that an intoxicated driver
who has three times over the limit has run over
one of our post officers doing the job. I think
those whole things connected and the geography of the space
and the consideration and we see the events occurring, and
that's why the time zones between ten and six and
I have to consider about the impact on movement and
(07:58):
liberty do have made off Wete which is a really
important divration and most of the conduct during the day
is pretty good. That's a night as later hours where
we see high levels of harm and that's where we
can inddict successfully and reduce those levels. And that's about
that prevention and reduction structure strategy.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
So the commissioner in relation it is.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
To legislation, and you know it it's you know where
we're going to learn as we apply it and think
through it. And you know, I previously thought about applying
this across Catherine as well, that the Catherine was quite
expansive geographically. We did have some instances of some bagsnatually
and smash windows in the CBD. That the poor Lie
type is domestic violence and high levels of it expansion
(08:41):
across Catherine and the region. So you know, it is
a careful consideration and as we work through the application
of the legislation, I'll learn, the team, we learn, and
we'll probably work through that threshold.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Means, look, I am keen.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
To talk about Catherine, but I might get to that
in just a moment. I want to ask you in
terms of the the four off duty officers who were assaulted,
has there been any arrests now in relation to that?
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Yeah, the Criminal Investigation Brands has still got that matter.
So there are a number of people involved in that.
You know, where we're thinking of over twenty and I
was initially reported as youth. We're learning to want all adults.
But you know, they're the people that were on the
town council lowns, so I've got ACTV. We can examine.
(09:26):
It's dark there as well on the fringes of the river,
so it's identification evidence is something they need to overcome.
But the detectives are working through that at the moment.
But you know, we call the witnesses, anyone with information,
all those responsible who may have some information, just reach
out to us and let us know so we can
we can clearly sharp and get some resolution on it.
(09:47):
Do you work underway?
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Do you believe that those police officers were targeted or
was it just an opportunistic situation.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
There's no indication at all that they were targeted known
to be police officers. Badly was a brand new recruit
who don't graduate on the twin deth consume who the
student to start work tomorrow. She wasn't known to anyone.
There's no indication they were targeted. The fact that the
large group had been engaged with police and basically run
(10:16):
off down the river. They'd come across these fall and
that's an opportunity opportunity and they've just made a really
poor incredise to assault them and rob them.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Commissioner, is she still going to be starting work tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
No, No, she's not spoken into the four officers involved.
Our two officers were at work if today and the
other two who were went to hospital and will be
taking some time off to get to rest. They you know,
they got some moderate physical injuries, but I think you
know the impact about the four of them psychologically, actually
(10:50):
being assaulted and kicked and punished and robbed has had
an impact on them. So they just need some time
just to rest, and we'll get them back on the
ground and support them to look.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
I hope that they make a full and speedy recovery.
I can't imagine how they must have felt after going
through that and to be frightening for anybody.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Now.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
In terms of this large scale disturbance as well, involving
up to eighty people on those council lawns, the group
had been, as I understand it from the statement that
you guys had issued yesterday at two licensed premises earlier
in the evening before crossing the road to the council
lawns and engaging in disturbances. As I now understand as well,
Northern Territory Police have served a notice of suspension two
(11:31):
licensed premises both located on Todd Street in Nalls. Were
they the locations where those people have been drinking at?
Speaker 3 (11:40):
Yeah, well, we're suggesting there's a connection between the sailor
about whole the licensed premises and the direct linkage two
problems and the civil distandances across the road. But this
isn't just a one off. The management team have engaged
with both these licensed premises on a number of engagements
about how they're conducting their business and the intoxication levels,
(12:04):
responsible service of alcohol and working with licensing. So we
just work together to correct it and we've got powers
available to us, and the commands made a decision which
I support, to issue that forty AUO our suspension others
to close those license premises and all further engage with
them throughout the week.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Is the accusation that they were serving people who are intoxicated,
and you know, like, what exactly was the concern?
Speaker 2 (12:29):
I suppose?
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Yeah, Look, the command has got a brief on it.
He's the one that's typed up the report and serve
the notice. But it's exactly that. It's about the responsible
service and alcohol and then people will leave the premises
their state of intoxication and the behaviors they engage in
which are harmful, which is then leads to the civil disturbances,
the violent conduct and the like. So there's a definite
(12:52):
connection between the alcohol, the liquor, the consumption, responsible service
and the behaviors we see outside that.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Are you expecting any further alcohol restrictions.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
Not at this point in time. No, Look, it's something
we can we can talk to licensing about. We do
have pretty tight restrictions in our springs at the moment.
It is a regulated and lawful substance. Had a business,
that's how we best address that. But we're a lot
pretty tight measures in place, and we do have police
at the bottle shops to help monitor that and about
(13:26):
the sale. Secondary supply is still a problem we need
to monitor as well. That alcohol and the consumption of
which are is still a considerable concern. And in all
the unresse we're saying across the last ninety six.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Hours, So in terms of the curfew or the lockdown,
or the declaration, whatever you want to call it, do
you expect that there could be an extension to that?
Speaker 3 (13:49):
It's probably too early to call. We're assessing that day
by day I'll have to make a decision before the
expiration of the third day. So I haven't made a
call all on that yet. I think it's too early.
It'll be clear probably the completion of tomorrow. But yeah,
I'll be advised as what we see the impact that's made,
(14:10):
how the impacts community, about what approach I make to
the Minister and we extend on mine.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
There has been some sort of questioning I guess as
to whether you know it was your decision to make
this declaration or whether the Police Minister had had any
interference in you making that decision.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Was it yours and yours alone?
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Absolutely, Katie, there's no interference politically. I told the Minister
on Sunday that I was thinking about options available to me,
including the new legislation. He has an influence, man or
it's my decision and my decision alone.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Now.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
You touched on Catherine just a couple of moments ago.
Catherine is an area that had been raised with us
in recent weeks as to whether there should be a
curfew called there. I know that Joe Hersey, the local member,
had said to me on air just a couple of
weeks ago. You know, Katie, things are not good there's
groups of youths running a market nighttime. I mean, we've
we've seen the press releases come out from Northern Territory
(15:02):
Police where you've got youths targeting service stations and various
different things going on. We've just had a caller call
through saying that you know that somebody was trying to
pry through, pry through security screens off his neighbour's business overnight.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
You know the.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Hairdresser there attempt to break ins is Catherine. I mean,
you touched on the geographic sort of concerns I suppose,
but it doesn't sound as though Catherine is an area
that you're looking at implementing a curfew.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
So we're just going to move away from the language
of curfew because we're talking about the public disorder decoration,
so that the time frame is a tool available on
the legislation, but it's enacting some powers to us to
control movements of people for certain reasons. But Catherine is
on a radar and it's the high parodies, and we've
got additional resources and an operation currently running in Catherine
(16:00):
of Territory Safety Division and some other assets for helping
the front line to address some of the problems there.
So it's understanding the problem. Last time when we saw
the high spate of crime there was about six or
eight years. Who are really responsible and that the attacks
on the further stations and the people trying to work there.
Really it is it does concern me. And it's about
(16:20):
the vulnerabilities of those late night retailers. So retail security
is a gender as well. So we've got extra resources
focusing on that, focusing on who's responsible, focusing on the
domestic violence as well, but providing support to the front line.
So that's going to help us understand the demand in Catherine.
When I looked at the data for Catherine, we didn't
(16:41):
see a spike, but what I saw was incredible at
high rates of crime, particularly domestic violence, that are totally unacceptable.
So not just police, but a number of government agencies
and engineers are going to help us reduce that. We've
got the new portfolio, the Domestic and Family Violence and
New Portfolio, who are investing in making a difference. I'm
looking at the prevention engagement and look at the front
(17:02):
end to stop the violence. So that is a high
consumer of our time in Catherine, and we say the
high levels of palm across Catherine that shouldn't be there.
And again, Catherine is a hun or a lot of
visitors in wa and communities and we're preparing that even
for the show circuit. So we've got a bit of
a tempo with resources firing a show up through tending
(17:22):
create to Catherine to go and to make sure we're
there before the show and we're there after the show,
and to make sure that the Territorians can enjoy their
show safely.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Yeah. Well, you know this is the thing obviously, as
we've touched on part of the issue sparking from people
coming from communities for the show in Alice Springs, So
there are going to be by the sounds of preventative
measures taken to stop some similar issues for Darwin and Catherine.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Yeah. Absolutely, So we've got the Amounted Unit and Territory
Remote Policing Unit actually shadowing the show, as well as
some other resources from the Territory Safety Division that will
help the local assets on the ground for the show takeuit.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
I mean, Commissioner, I guess the issue we've got right
across the Northern Territory right now as people feel as
though there's not enough police on the ground they feel
as though, you know, they want that real high visibility policing.
They want the police to be there when they make
a phone call, when their car is stolen, when their
business is broken into, and they really don't feel like
there are enough officers. What do you say to people
(18:24):
listening this morning that are looking at Alice Springs and going,
how is this the new norm that needing to call
a public disorder declaration or you know, you're not wanting
to use the words curfew, but how is this the
new norm that this kind of thing is happening and
it's sort of almost being normalized.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Yeah, I'll tell you what, Katie, It's not normal. And
where invested to making that difference. You know, I totally
understand the community's feeling and frustration, and our priority is
when you pick up the phone to call for police assistance,
we can deploy a car to you. We're working really
hard to reduce the levels of crime. So we say
we don't have enough police. We actually have lots of police.
(19:06):
We just can't meet the demand at the moment. So
we've got to reduce the demand through work cooperabily across
the number of agencies, and then Joe's and we're starting
to do that, but we still have a lot of
work to do. The government has invested a significant amount
of money in policing. Five hundred and seventy million over
four years is an incredible investment. That's going to give
us two hundred extra cops. So we're recruiting lots of police.
(19:26):
We'll have forty three additional police in Alice Springs by
the end of July, which is off the back of
the last graduation and another graduation in July, so significant
investment across the territory. With the current squads, I think
you know in June were one hundred and twenty four
police going through programs and graduations in the college. That
number will continue for the next four years, if not
(19:48):
be higher. Getting police on the ground takes time. We've
got to identify the right people, we've got to put
them in training that takes six months, and then get
them out onto the operation side. But we're really invested
in the uniform making difference, doing engagement and particularly pitching
this cohort representing the community that we're going to serve,
and that will make an absolute difference as well. But
(20:09):
I understand we're trying to achieve. It's a high priority
for us to make sure that we address the call
center as well. We see three hundred and thirty thousand
calls coming to the call center every year. If I
can reduce that by ten percent, that's extraordinary amount of
time every month that's saved, so we can focus on
the demands of the public and get resources too quicker.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Well, Police Commissioner Michael Murphy, we are going to have
to leave it there. Really appreciate your time this morning,
and no doubt we'll probably hear from you later in
the week or we'll certainly hear what is going to
happen in Alice Springs in terms of whether there's to
be an extension or not.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Thank you for having a chat with us today.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Thanks Lendie, Thanks your time.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
We have a nice day you too. Thank you
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