Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
As we told you about this shocking news flowing through
late yesterday, five people have now died in a horror
crash on the Stuart Highway south of Darwin. Emergency services
were called to the high speed head on collision about
two kilometers south of the Marrachai Road turnoff just before
one o'clock yesterday afternoon. Police say that both vehicles involved
(00:21):
caught a light on impact and there were no survivors.
The Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole joins me in
the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Good morning, Commissioner, Good morning, Katie, and good morning to
your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Commissioner. This is a shocking situation that unfolded yesterday. Are
you able to give us the latest on this crash?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, absolutely, Katie. So look, as you've already stated, at
about twelve to fifty pm yesterday, please receive multiple calls
from members of the public about a head on collision
on the Stuart Highway, approximately two kilometers south of the
Marrachai turnoff. The crash involved a Ford Ranger utility that
was traveling north and ato a Toyota high Lux high
(01:02):
as van sorry that was traveling southbound. Tragically, five people
have lost their lives in relation to this collision. Initial
investigations indicate that the Ford Ranger crossed onto the incorrect
side of the road for reasons yet to be determined
by investigators, resulting in a high speed head on collision
of catastrophic results. Both vehicles sustained catastrophic damage and caught
(01:28):
fire shortly after the impact.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
It sounds absolutely horrible, Commissioner. Is this one of the
worst crashes we've seen on Northern Territory roads?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
It certainly is, Katie. It's one of the most devastating
loss of lives that we've seen in a single collision
for a number of years. A number of years ago
we had the multiple fatality on the Stuart Hallway in
the vicinity of Pine Creek, but I can't recall one
of this volume of loss of life in a single
event since that time.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Yeah, it's horrible, It's absolutely horrible. And look, I think
of the first responders going out there, all of those
witnesses as well that not only witness what had occurred,
but also helped out at the scene as I understand, Yeah,
absolutely devastating for the people involved, including the first responders
and the members of the public.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
And I just like to shout out for the people
that did stop and offer assistance. I believe that members
of the public were the first to put out the
fire with fire extinguishers from their vehicles. But look, the
impact on people witnessing that type of tragic event, you
can't be understated.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
No, it really can't. And my thoughts and prayers are
with the families of those people whose lives have been lost,
for all of those first responders, everybody that was out there,
whether they're trained or untrained, members of the public. It's
absolutely shocking stuff and I know a lot of people
are going to be hurting today. Commissioner, can you tell
us are those diversions still in place and what's the
(02:50):
process now in terms of the investigation?
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Yes, so, thanks Katie. So look, our detectives are examining
all a valuable evidence from the crime scene. That crime
is remaining closed this morning, and we'll probably remain closed
for the greater part of today. Traffic diversions are in
place for heavy vehicles and light vehicles, so traffic movement
through the area is still possible.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Investigators are calling for any witnesses with CCTV or dash
cam footage. There were several people that called in the
manner of driving of the black Forward utility prior to
the crash, so please had received several calls about that
dangerous driving. But they're appealing for any witnesses that may
have seen that driving or have dash cam footage to
(03:33):
come forward and give us that evidence as well as
part of that investigation.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
All right, So it sounds like there is still quite
a way to go, but as you said, there those
diversions in place, so people are still sort of able
to access the area, but you could expect DeLay's oldest jurn.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
That's correct, you can still travel between Darwen and Catherine.
But yeah, there's obviously traffic control in place around that
crash scene.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah. Well, a hard day for a lot of people
this morning, Commission. I do want to move along. We
know that questions can he knew to be raised about
the way that Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling was arrested
and charged over the alleged assault of the Northern Territory Administrator,
with claims from his lawyer that the matter has been politicized.
(04:13):
Now I know that police have strongly rejected these allegations,
but it is an issue that sparked plenty of discussion.
Commissioner Luke Gosling's lawyer has alleged that there's a degree
of politicization in the way that this investigation has been handled.
Can you categorically assured Territorians that there's been absolutely no
political interference in this.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Case, Katie, I just want to strongly reject that proposition. Again,
the occupation, public position, or political affiliation of people involved
in any criminal investigation does not affect the manner in
which police conduct our investigations. Members of the Northern Territory
Police Force swear an oath to serve without fear or favor,
(04:53):
affection or ill will, and as such, members of the
police Force hold the independent office of Constable and we
can't be directed in the exercise of our powers. They're
individual decisions for the police officers involved.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
I mean, does it make you quite annoyed for this
allegation to be made.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Look, Katie, it's offensive and it's quite frankly, I'm sick
of the attacking of the integrity of members of our
police force continually seems to be in the place, and
the only people that are politicizing this are certain members
of the media and the defense who decided to use
this as a strategy.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Look, I do wonder. I know that there had been
conflicting accounts about attempts to contact mister Gosling before he's arrest,
with reports that there were multiple attempts made by police
to contact him, but he's disputed that. Is there anything
that you can say to clear up that confusion?
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Look, Katie, I think despite what's happened so far in
relation to this case and decisions by mister Gosling to
make certain media statements, the matter is before the court.
These things really should be articulated in the court process,
and I don't think it's really up to me to
come out and comment in relation of those things. We
don't normally do that, but specifically in relation to this,
(06:07):
because it's been alleged that we didn't make contact, I
want to refute that and say we made multiple attempts
to contact mister Gosling on multiple occasions.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
So essentially, what you're saying there is you don't want
this to become a media circus, But the fact is
your officers did actually attempt to arrest him, attempt to
contact him.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Sorry, yes, we did on multiple occasions. So I won't
talk further about the matter. It should be articulated in
court and that's the proper place for this to be ventilated.
But I refute the allegation that we didn't make attempts
to contact him until the day before.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Commissioner, I do just want to ask you. I know
that the Northern Territory News is reporting that the Commonwealth
DPP is going to be taking carriage of the case
over the Northern Territory DPP. Does he need to be
anything you know similar happen from a police perspective in
terms of an independent look at it.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
No, No, that doesn't Katie. The Northern Territory Police are
the law enforcement body in the Northern Territory that investigate matters.
It doesn't matter about the occupation of those involved or
the victim involved, and the carriage of the matter in
the prosecution process doesn't affect the fact that our police
have investigated and submitted a file.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Commissioner, I know that the DPP has cited conflict of interest,
that's what they've identified. Are you confident that for your
officers that is not an issue?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
There is no conflicts identified within the police force at
all in relation to.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
This matter, all right, I do want to move along.
We touched on it last week when Parliament passed and
the Government introduced changes to the Youth Justice and Criminal Code,
which the COLP claims strengthens community safety and provides clearer
authority for frontline staff. So essentially part of those changes
allow now for police, will the police have the powers
to interview young people without an adult present in an
(07:50):
emergency context? Is that something that the police had advocated for?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
It is absolutely catie. So for a long time we
consult with our officers in the frontline say what's causing
its difficulties. I know you regularly have triedent in here
and we call out to the great work that tried
and do and what's impacting their ability to serve the
community and prevent crime. This is one of the changes
that we ask for, you know often. I wrote about
this on the weekend. You know, we advocated for changes
(08:16):
to the Youth Justice Act they were introduced. I thought
it was important to talk about youth justice changes with
the current rhetoric around all of the changes to youth
legislation in the territory and make a distinct difference between
the fact that you've got changes to the Care and
Protection of Children Act. That's not what this is. This
changes to the Youth Justice Act, and it gives us
(08:38):
stronger powers to prevent crime by enabling us to act
on the instant when there's emergency circumstances to talk to
your youth in the absence of a responsible adult and
hopefully prevent further crime from them.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
I mean, has there been concerns over the years, like
where police haven't been able to do their jobs properly
or there's maybe even been a dangerous situation because they've
not been able to question a young person.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Absolutely, And that's where this request came from. So you know,
I've used examples. Will often stop a stolen vick with
multiple people in it. As such, they're often multiple offenders
but not directly involved in the offending or yeah it
was run away. We were limited in how to talk
to them and what we could ask them and how
we could interact with them. These laws make those changes
(09:20):
different and allow us to act on the incident and
I hopefully prevent further offenses from occurring.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Yeah, Commissioner, a couple of quick ones that I still
want to get through. I know a group of current
and former Aboriginal police officers have launched legal action against
the Northern Territory government over allegations they were subjected to
racial discrimination and vilification while serving on the force. That's
according to a report in the ABC. How concerning is
this for you in terms of those allegations of these
(09:48):
current and former officers.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah, Look, Katie, it is concerning. I've done a lot
of work since coming into this role. We've made a
lot of changes in the Northern Territory Police Force in
relation to races within the agency. We've brought on Leanne Little.
It is concerning that there's still these thoughts. But this
action has been underway for some time now, so we've
been aware of it. It's before the court again and
(10:11):
probably can't talk about the specifics, but there's been a
lot of changes and a lot of moving forward in
the police force in that space. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
I was going to ask you, I mean, are you
confident that you're making inroads on the racism strategy within
the police force?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Absolutely? I am. We've got, like I said, we've got
lean Little as our executive director. We've been on a
big journey since the cronial inquest, where you know there
was allegations and evidence that was born out that there
was behaviors in the police force that weren't acceptable. I
accept that and that we've made huge inroads into that
(10:44):
moving forward.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Police Commissioner, I do want to ask you about the ppsos.
They've been on the beat for over a month now.
How effective are they From your perspective? Are you finding
that they're having an impact in terms of, you know,
some of those day to day jobs and getting more
officers out to actually do the jobs probably that they
signed up for.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah, absolutely, Katie. Our ppsos are out and about. Since
their introduction in the twenty ninth of June, they've been
our dedicated social order policing and assisting with major events.
So our ppsos have contributed to the Royal Darwen Show
with patrolling. They've been involved in Operation Pitch Black, flyover,
the Open Day and the Great Northern Darwin Cup. So
(11:29):
they've about dayl money.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Hey tell me, I mean I'm keen to know from
your perspective, how do you feel as though moral is
in the ranks at the moment. I know that there
has been some investigations underway in the executive rank. How
are things going in terms of morale from your.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Perspective, Look, Katie, it's a challenge. I think, please have
a challenging job and they want to ensure that they've
got a strong leadership that supports them and supports their interests.
And we have had some challenges in that space. But
look on positive that we're moving forward. We're filling senior positions.
We recently advertised assistant commissioner positions and that will be
open for a number of weeks before we make some
(12:08):
selections there. And we're in the final stages of finalizing
the selection for deputy commissioners, which should be announced very soon.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
How many of those positions are vacant, those executive.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Roles, so just it's difficult. We've got about eight people
acting in senior roles from commander up. That that changes,
you know, on a day to day basis. So we're
currently absent a deputy commissioner and we've got a couple
of assistant commission of vacancies, but that flows down then
into commanders and superintendent, so everyone ends up acting up.
(12:38):
So it's about eight permanent positions from commander up commissioner.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
I know there's a lot of police that listen to
this show. You know, to any of them listening this
morning that maybe think to themselves, you know, how's the
recruitment process going to go? Have you got measures in
place to make sure that whoever wins that job wins
it on merit, you know, not based on who they
may or may not know their references. I know that
that's certainly been something that's been in the headlines before.
(13:05):
You know, what do you say to those officers listening
this morning that might be listening and thinking, you know,
we want to get this right. We need to make
sure that we get it right.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Yeah, absolutely, Katie. So Justice Blow wrote some recommendations for
the agency. They were fully accepted by the agency. He
highlighted that there wasn't policies in place that ensured that
there was independence in that decision making. All of those
policies have been reviewed and implemented, and the selection panel
for Deputy Commissioner I had two commissioners from across Australia
(13:35):
and myself on that selection panel. So there is independence
in that decision making. There is policy in place, and
all of the recommendations from Justice Blow have been accepted
by our agency and implemented.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Moving forward, well, Police Commissioner Martin Dole really appreciate your
time this morning. I know it's going to be a
very big day for a number of our Northern Territory
police and frontline services following on from that terrible, terrible
fatality yesterday. Appreciate you joining us in the studio.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Thanks Katie, and thanks for your Tom.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Thanks so much.
As we told you about this shocking news flowing through
late yesterday, five people have now died in a horror
crash on the Stuart Highway south of Darwin. Emergency services
were called to the high speed head on collision about
two kilometers south of the Marrachai Road turnoff just before
one o'clock yesterday afternoon. Police say that both vehicles involved
(00:21):
caught a light on impact and there were no survivors.
The Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole joins me in
the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Good morning, Commissioner, Good morning, Katie, and good morning to
your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Commissioner. This is a shocking situation that unfolded yesterday. Are
you able to give us the latest on this crash?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, absolutely, Katie. So look, as you've already stated, at
about twelve to fifty pm yesterday, please receive multiple calls
from members of the public about a head on collision
on the Stuart Highway, approximately two kilometers south of the
Marrachai turnoff. The crash involved a Ford Ranger utility that
was traveling north and ato a Toyota high Lux high
(01:02):
as van sorry that was traveling southbound. Tragically, five people
have lost their lives in relation to this collision. Initial
investigations indicate that the Ford Ranger crossed onto the incorrect
side of the road for reasons yet to be determined
by investigators, resulting in a high speed head on collision
of catastrophic results. Both vehicles sustained catastrophic damage and caught
(01:28):
fire shortly after the impact.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
It sounds absolutely horrible, Commissioner. Is this one of the
worst crashes we've seen on Northern Territory roads?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
It certainly is, Katie. It's one of the most devastating
loss of lives that we've seen in a single collision
for a number of years. A number of years ago
we had the multiple fatality on the Stuart Hallway in
the vicinity of Pine Creek, but I can't recall one
of this volume of loss of life in a single
event since that time.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Yeah, it's horrible, It's absolutely horrible. And look, I think
of the first responders going out there, all of those
witnesses as well that not only witness what had occurred,
but also helped out at the scene as I understand, Yeah,
absolutely devastating for the people involved, including the first responders
and the members of the public.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
And I just like to shout out for the people
that did stop and offer assistance. I believe that members
of the public were the first to put out the
fire with fire extinguishers from their vehicles. But look, the
impact on people witnessing that type of tragic event, you
can't be understated.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
No, it really can't. And my thoughts and prayers are
with the families of those people whose lives have been lost,
for all of those first responders, everybody that was out there,
whether they're trained or untrained, members of the public. It's
absolutely shocking stuff and I know a lot of people
are going to be hurting today. Commissioner, can you tell
us are those diversions still in place and what's the
(02:50):
process now in terms of the investigation?
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Yes, so, thanks Katie. So look, our detectives are examining
all a valuable evidence from the crime scene. That crime
is remaining closed this morning, and we'll probably remain closed
for the greater part of today. Traffic diversions are in
place for heavy vehicles and light vehicles, so traffic movement
through the area is still possible.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Investigators are calling for any witnesses with CCTV or dash
cam footage. There were several people that called in the
manner of driving of the black Forward utility prior to
the crash, so please had received several calls about that
dangerous driving. But they're appealing for any witnesses that may
have seen that driving or have dash cam footage to
(03:33):
come forward and give us that evidence as well as
part of that investigation.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
All right, So it sounds like there is still quite
a way to go, but as you said, there those
diversions in place, so people are still sort of able
to access the area, but you could expect DeLay's oldest jurn.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
That's correct, you can still travel between Darwen and Catherine.
But yeah, there's obviously traffic control in place around that
crash scene.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah. Well, a hard day for a lot of people
this morning, Commission. I do want to move along. We
know that questions can he knew to be raised about
the way that Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling was arrested
and charged over the alleged assault of the Northern Territory Administrator,
with claims from his lawyer that the matter has been politicized.
(04:13):
Now I know that police have strongly rejected these allegations,
but it is an issue that sparked plenty of discussion.
Commissioner Luke Gosling's lawyer has alleged that there's a degree
of politicization in the way that this investigation has been handled.
Can you categorically assured Territorians that there's been absolutely no
political interference in this.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Case, Katie, I just want to strongly reject that proposition. Again,
the occupation, public position, or political affiliation of people involved
in any criminal investigation does not affect the manner in
which police conduct our investigations. Members of the Northern Territory
Police Force swear an oath to serve without fear or favor,
(04:53):
affection or ill will, and as such, members of the
police Force hold the independent office of Constable and we
can't be directed in the exercise of our powers. They're
individual decisions for the police officers involved.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
I mean, does it make you quite annoyed for this
allegation to be made.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Look, Katie, it's offensive and it's quite frankly, I'm sick
of the attacking of the integrity of members of our
police force continually seems to be in the place, and
the only people that are politicizing this are certain members
of the media and the defense who decided to use
this as a strategy.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Look, I do wonder. I know that there had been
conflicting accounts about attempts to contact mister Gosling before he's arrest,
with reports that there were multiple attempts made by police
to contact him, but he's disputed that. Is there anything
that you can say to clear up that confusion?
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Look, Katie, I think despite what's happened so far in
relation to this case and decisions by mister Gosling to
make certain media statements, the matter is before the court.
These things really should be articulated in the court process,
and I don't think it's really up to me to
come out and comment in relation of those things. We
don't normally do that, but specifically in relation to this,
(06:07):
because it's been alleged that we didn't make contact, I
want to refute that and say we made multiple attempts
to contact mister Gosling on multiple occasions.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
So essentially, what you're saying there is you don't want
this to become a media circus, But the fact is
your officers did actually attempt to arrest him, attempt to
contact him.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Sorry, yes, we did on multiple occasions. So I won't
talk further about the matter. It should be articulated in
court and that's the proper place for this to be ventilated.
But I refute the allegation that we didn't make attempts
to contact him until the day before.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Commissioner, I do just want to ask you. I know
that the Northern Territory News is reporting that the Commonwealth
DPP is going to be taking carriage of the case
over the Northern Territory DPP. Does he need to be
anything you know similar happen from a police perspective in
terms of an independent look at it.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
No, No, that doesn't Katie. The Northern Territory Police are
the law enforcement body in the Northern Territory that investigate matters.
It doesn't matter about the occupation of those involved or
the victim involved, and the carriage of the matter in
the prosecution process doesn't affect the fact that our police
have investigated and submitted a file.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Commissioner, I know that the DPP has cited conflict of interest,
that's what they've identified. Are you confident that for your
officers that is not an issue?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
There is no conflicts identified within the police force at
all in relation to.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
This matter, all right, I do want to move along.
We touched on it last week when Parliament passed and
the Government introduced changes to the Youth Justice and Criminal Code,
which the COLP claims strengthens community safety and provides clearer
authority for frontline staff. So essentially part of those changes
allow now for police, will the police have the powers
to interview young people without an adult present in an
(07:50):
emergency context? Is that something that the police had advocated for?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
It is absolutely catie. So for a long time we
consult with our officers in the frontline say what's causing
its difficulties. I know you regularly have triedent in here
and we call out to the great work that tried
and do and what's impacting their ability to serve the
community and prevent crime. This is one of the changes
that we ask for, you know often. I wrote about
this on the weekend. You know, we advocated for changes
(08:16):
to the Youth Justice Act they were introduced. I thought
it was important to talk about youth justice changes with
the current rhetoric around all of the changes to youth
legislation in the territory and make a distinct difference between
the fact that you've got changes to the Care and
Protection of Children Act. That's not what this is. This
changes to the Youth Justice Act, and it gives us
(08:38):
stronger powers to prevent crime by enabling us to act
on the instant when there's emergency circumstances to talk to
your youth in the absence of a responsible adult and
hopefully prevent further crime from them.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
I mean, has there been concerns over the years, like
where police haven't been able to do their jobs properly
or there's maybe even been a dangerous situation because they've
not been able to question a young person.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Absolutely, And that's where this request came from. So you know,
I've used examples. Will often stop a stolen vick with
multiple people in it. As such, they're often multiple offenders
but not directly involved in the offending or yeah it
was run away. We were limited in how to talk
to them and what we could ask them and how
we could interact with them. These laws make those changes
(09:20):
different and allow us to act on the incident and
I hopefully prevent further offenses from occurring.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Yeah, Commissioner, a couple of quick ones that I still
want to get through. I know a group of current
and former Aboriginal police officers have launched legal action against
the Northern Territory government over allegations they were subjected to
racial discrimination and vilification while serving on the force. That's
according to a report in the ABC. How concerning is
this for you in terms of those allegations of these
(09:48):
current and former officers.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah, Look, Katie, it is concerning. I've done a lot
of work since coming into this role. We've made a
lot of changes in the Northern Territory Police Force in
relation to races within the agency. We've brought on Leanne Little.
It is concerning that there's still these thoughts. But this
action has been underway for some time now, so we've
been aware of it. It's before the court again and
(10:11):
probably can't talk about the specifics, but there's been a
lot of changes and a lot of moving forward in
the police force in that space. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
I was going to ask you, I mean, are you
confident that you're making inroads on the racism strategy within
the police force?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Absolutely? I am. We've got, like I said, we've got
lean Little as our executive director. We've been on a
big journey since the cronial inquest, where you know there
was allegations and evidence that was born out that there
was behaviors in the police force that weren't acceptable. I
accept that and that we've made huge inroads into that
(10:44):
moving forward.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Police Commissioner, I do want to ask you about the ppsos.
They've been on the beat for over a month now.
How effective are they From your perspective? Are you finding
that they're having an impact in terms of, you know,
some of those day to day jobs and getting more
officers out to actually do the jobs probably that they
signed up for.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah, absolutely, Katie. Our ppsos are out and about. Since
their introduction in the twenty ninth of June, they've been
our dedicated social order policing and assisting with major events.
So our ppsos have contributed to the Royal Darwen Show
with patrolling. They've been involved in Operation Pitch Black, flyover,
the Open Day and the Great Northern Darwin Cup. So
(11:29):
they've about dayl money.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Hey tell me, I mean I'm keen to know from
your perspective, how do you feel as though moral is
in the ranks at the moment. I know that there
has been some investigations underway in the executive rank. How
are things going in terms of morale from your.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Perspective, Look, Katie, it's a challenge. I think, please have
a challenging job and they want to ensure that they've
got a strong leadership that supports them and supports their interests.
And we have had some challenges in that space. But
look on positive that we're moving forward. We're filling senior positions.
We recently advertised assistant commissioner positions and that will be
open for a number of weeks before we make some
(12:08):
selections there. And we're in the final stages of finalizing
the selection for deputy commissioners, which should be announced very soon.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
How many of those positions are vacant, those executive.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Roles, so just it's difficult. We've got about eight people
acting in senior roles from commander up. That that changes,
you know, on a day to day basis. So we're
currently absent a deputy commissioner and we've got a couple
of assistant commission of vacancies, but that flows down then
into commanders and superintendent, so everyone ends up acting up.
(12:38):
So it's about eight permanent positions from commander up commissioner.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
I know there's a lot of police that listen to
this show. You know, to any of them listening this
morning that maybe think to themselves, you know, how's the
recruitment process going to go? Have you got measures in
place to make sure that whoever wins that job wins
it on merit, you know, not based on who they
may or may not know their references. I know that
that's certainly been something that's been in the headlines before.
(13:05):
You know, what do you say to those officers listening
this morning that might be listening and thinking, you know,
we want to get this right. We need to make
sure that we get it right.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Yeah, absolutely, Katie. So Justice Blow wrote some recommendations for
the agency. They were fully accepted by the agency. He
highlighted that there wasn't policies in place that ensured that
there was independence in that decision making. All of those
policies have been reviewed and implemented, and the selection panel
for Deputy Commissioner I had two commissioners from across Australia
(13:35):
and myself on that selection panel. So there is independence
in that decision making. There is policy in place, and
all of the recommendations from Justice Blow have been accepted
by our agency and implemented.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Moving forward, well, Police Commissioner Martin Dole really appreciate your
time this morning. I know it's going to be a
very big day for a number of our Northern Territory
police and frontline services following on from that terrible, terrible
fatality yesterday. Appreciate you joining us in the studio.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Thanks Katie, and thanks for your Tom.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Thanks so much.
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