1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: So we know that two Northern Territory Police officers, well 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: this week they've received National Police Bravery Awards for twenty 3 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:12,440 Speaker 1: twenty three. Constable Aaron Larson and Constable Deborah Bradley from 4 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Police Force have been recognized for their 5 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:20,079 Speaker 1: heroic actions during violent rioting at what Air in twenty 6 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:24,599 Speaker 1: twenty two. The Northern Territory Police Association President Nathan Finn said, 7 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: the National Police Bravery Award recognizes officers who demonstrate bravery 8 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:33,199 Speaker 1: of the very highest order. And he joins me in 9 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: the studio right now, High Nathan. 10 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:37,560 Speaker 2: Good morning Katy, and good morning to your listeners. 11 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:41,519 Speaker 1: How wonderful that these two Northern Territory Police officers have 12 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:45,840 Speaker 1: been recognized in this way. Tell us what exactly they've 13 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: been recognized for. 14 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:49,839 Speaker 2: So, Katie, obviously it was great to be down there 15 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 2: obviously in Cambra. Obviously carry myself and all the other 16 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 2: staff members of the Northern Churchy Police Association went down 17 00:00:54,560 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 2: to obviously make sure that these members were obviously congratulated 18 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 2: for their efforts, their efforts into an incident obviously dating 19 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 2: back to two thousand and two, twenty twenty two in 20 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 2: me where they're involved in a righteous conflict at what 21 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 2: I these members Unfortunately, it's not. It's a daily incident 22 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 2: that they have out there. And to award that and 23 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 2: to speak to that on the national level in front 24 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:21,319 Speaker 2: of the National MPs, the Attorney General, everyone else, all 25 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 2: the commissions across Australia that could be there were there. 26 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:28,400 Speaker 2: And to provide that level of obviously recognition of what 27 00:01:28,440 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 2: they do and recognize that this is truly a daily 28 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:33,320 Speaker 2: event and to speak to that and to them to 29 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,320 Speaker 2: be rewarded for what they actually do each and every 30 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 2: day for the Northern Territory is great. 31 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: What was the reaction from those two officers? Were they 32 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:42,880 Speaker 1: pretty toffed? Pretty humbled? I'm guessing because that is what 33 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 1: I always find that people who received these awards never 34 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: think that they deserve them. 35 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:49,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. And these two members, obviously Comfortable Last and 36 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 2: the comfortable Bradley, weren't alone in this incident either. That 37 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 2: was the hardest thing to deal with. And obviously the 38 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 2: nominations come through for these two we've seen the nominations 39 00:01:57,280 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 2: come through, but we obviously got to pay respect to 40 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:02,440 Speaker 2: the other staff members as well. Obviously, Sergeant Jamie Coburn 41 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 2: and obviously Constable First Class Matthew Gray. But again these 42 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 2: members didn't want nothing to do with the award. They 43 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:09,840 Speaker 2: just thought it was the day to day business that 44 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:12,520 Speaker 2: they go on. But to be recognized and obviously for 45 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 2: them to stand up in front of this large group 46 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 2: was obviously the National Museum in canber on Tuesday night 47 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 2: was a great testament to not only what they've done, 48 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 2: but what are our Northern Territory Police officers do every day. 49 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:25,679 Speaker 1: I want to just read a small amount out from 50 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 1: the description of exactly what they've done. So the officers 51 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: attempted to disperse the crowd with verbal commands before stating 52 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: that OC would be used if they failed to disperse. 53 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:41,520 Speaker 1: Now time became quite crucial as there was serious concerns 54 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 1: for an injured mail who'd been allegedly well shot in 55 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 1: the leg as I understand it, with a cross across 56 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:53,639 Speaker 1: bow and needed urgent medical attention. So police were fearful 57 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 1: for his and the medical staff safety as well as 58 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 1: their own. Now the large, armed and angry crab beg 59 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,240 Speaker 1: and to circle the local clinic. As the intensity of 60 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 1: that attack increased, multiple projectiles were being hurled towards the 61 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:10,520 Speaker 1: police and the injured mail. There was no opportunity for 62 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: the injured mail or the police to escape or retreat. 63 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 1: The attack was intense. It was sustained for around twenty minutes, 64 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:23,919 Speaker 1: and OC was deployed with little effect on the crowd. 65 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:27,239 Speaker 1: But ultimately the police used their vehicle as a form 66 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,920 Speaker 1: of a shield, reversing up to an entry point of 67 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 1: the clinic and the officers. Then Officer Bradley and Gray 68 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 1: carried the injured Mail inside while Larsen and Coburn attempted 69 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: to disperse the riders. Officers were heavily attacked, with many 70 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 1: projectiles narrowly missing them, including arrows. That sounds like an 71 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 1: unbelievably dangerous situation. 72 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 2: And again the comments from the floor at the National 73 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 2: Museum after I spoke to this on Tuesday night, the 74 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,880 Speaker 2: actual they didn't have an understanding of what we did 75 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 2: with in the Northern Territory and even a number of 76 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 2: commissioners from across Australia go, how do your police put 77 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 2: up with this? How do you actually manage your staff 78 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 2: to provide the support that they need to put up 79 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 2: with this stuff? I said, it's not it's not an 80 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 2: outstanding event for us. And again it's a daily event 81 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 2: that happens in our remote communities. With our resourcing the 82 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,480 Speaker 2: way it is, we're putting our members at danger and 83 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 2: they are truly brave in what they do every single day. 84 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 2: For them to stand up against the adversity of what 85 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 2: they face every day in the remote communities, it is 86 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 2: unbelievable in the testament. 87 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: To themselves well and you know, and then in other 88 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: ways having to work so closely with those you know, 89 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:36,479 Speaker 1: with the elders in the communities to try and quell 90 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: the concerns and quell some of what is incredible, like 91 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,840 Speaker 1: incredibly dangerous situations for the people who live there too, 92 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:43,800 Speaker 1: isn't it correct? 93 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:46,359 Speaker 2: And this dates back the right for this occasion was 94 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:48,839 Speaker 2: as a result of another young mile that actually was 95 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 2: was actually yeah, passed away out there. So it's it 96 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 2: just evolves into the next, into the next argument, into 97 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:57,359 Speaker 2: the next violent obviously confrontation our members have to deal with, 98 00:04:57,640 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 2: and unfortunately this is what they see day to day 99 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 2: and the painted that picture on Tuesday night, everyone in 100 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 2: the room there that this is just unfortunately it occurs 101 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 2: every single day. 102 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: Now, tell me how are the award recipients chosen in 103 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,720 Speaker 1: terms of it's a national panel that actually goes through 104 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 1: and judges everybody. 105 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely, Katie. So it's organized through the Police Federation 106 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 2: of Australia. The nominations are received from right across Australia. 107 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 2: There's a total of over twenty nominations received this year 108 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:25,919 Speaker 2: from right across Australia, from many jurisdictions, from many different events. 109 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:29,760 Speaker 2: That shows it's obviously recognized on the national stage about 110 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 2: how they act, how they behave, the issues that they 111 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 2: deal with on a daily basis. We had an obviously 112 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:38,479 Speaker 2: nomination for the twenty twenty two one as well that 113 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 2: was obviously decided as well, which was for a Western 114 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 2: Australian police officer that actually tackled a man with a 115 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 2: gun wow took him down as well, so he was 116 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 2: recognized as well. But again it was great to see 117 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:53,279 Speaker 2: and they go through a panel process. The panel decides 118 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 2: on obviously what they believe is the best one or 119 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,840 Speaker 2: the best applications that have gone through and dealing with 120 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:02,039 Speaker 2: the situation, and then the sider from that and they're 121 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 2: obviously recognized. 122 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 1: Well well done to these Northern Territory police officers who've 123 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 1: been recognized and as you said, though not alone in 124 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:11,039 Speaker 1: that incident. Obviously others there as well who did a 125 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 1: phenomenal job, Finny. Before I let you go this morning, though, 126 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: I do just want to ask you, the Northern Territory 127 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:22,159 Speaker 1: Police Association, well, you have just posted on your social 128 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:27,719 Speaker 1: media page that you didn't want to dignify. Well post 129 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,599 Speaker 1: that has been shared or many others with the same 130 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 1: nasty tone with a response. But you can't sit by 131 00:06:35,279 --> 00:06:39,600 Speaker 1: any longer while baseless accusations against the Northern Territory Police 132 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: officers continued to go unchecked. Now this is in relation 133 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 1: to a post on the Action for Alice page about 134 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 1: a situation that had unfolded earlier in the week where 135 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:58,280 Speaker 1: there was a pedestrian struck and allegedly killed. And what 136 00:06:58,360 --> 00:06:59,839 Speaker 1: exactly is the concern here? 137 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 2: The concern is that this is raised publicly in Alice 138 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 2: Springs obviously and causes great concern to the members of 139 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 2: the community, but also cause a lot of work for 140 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 2: our police officer and how to detectives obviously investigating this 141 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 2: matter when there's people out there going well, this is 142 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 2: what happened has related to a domestic violence incident. It 143 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 2: wasn't related to themest domestic violence incident. I'm reliably informed 144 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 2: by the detectives down at Alice Springs. They're frustrated because 145 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 2: now they've had to go through and add extra work 146 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 2: to their plate when they're already stretched enough as it 147 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 2: is to interview other people to find out exactly what 148 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 2: actually happened and obviously delays the response where they have 149 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 2: to actually deal but to have a go at our 150 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 2: police members. I'm sorry, but they come out it was 151 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 2: explained in the media what had happened. Again, he's ill informed. 152 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:45,360 Speaker 2: If he wants to be informed, contact us. I'm more 153 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 2: than happy to take his call and provide some closer 154 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:49,240 Speaker 2: details in relation to it, or if he thinks he 155 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:51,760 Speaker 2: can do better. There's an application there for The police 156 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 2: were short, as everyone knows. 157 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 1: So I'm just trying to wrap my head around because, 158 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: to be honest with you, this is the first time 159 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:01,080 Speaker 1: seeing it. So obviously they had shared a post where 160 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,720 Speaker 1: they are basically saying that the whole truth wasn't being 161 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 1: told in relation to this incident. But from what I'm 162 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:11,880 Speaker 1: gathering from you, you are saying you know that the 163 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: police have taken this as as quite insulting towards en. 164 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely, and it creates a huge amount of work 165 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 2: for these detectives to go back and go back through 166 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 2: just to make sure that they haven't missed anything, which 167 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 2: they hadn't missed anything. Again, they have to rebut what's 168 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 2: obviously being said in the media, what's obviously been said 169 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 2: out there. They've had to go back and interview people, 170 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 2: take statements, etc. Again, have some thought for these police 171 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:38,880 Speaker 2: officer actually dealing with this tragic incident. For them to 172 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 2: go and respond to someone that's been run over on 173 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 2: the road, that's not a nice situation. And we need 174 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 2: to let our members do the job that they need 175 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 2: to do without providing obviously further hurdles for them to 176 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:48,199 Speaker 2: do well. 177 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 1: Nathan Finn, the president of the Northern Territory Police Association, 178 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: I appreciate your time this morning, and no doubt we'll 179 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:55,320 Speaker 1: talk to you again very soon. 180 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:57,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, thank you very much, Kedy, And obviously before we go, 181 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 2: obviously a lot's say congratulations to Constable Aaron Larson and 182 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 2: obviously Deborah Bradley, but also digit Sergeant Jamie Coburn and 183 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:06,199 Speaker 2: Matthew Gray and all the rest of the Wadye team 184 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 2: and all the remote communities across the Northern Territory. Keep 185 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:11,800 Speaker 2: up the great work. You are truly respected and obviously 186 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 2: we'd love seeing you do a great job and be 187 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 2: rewarded for what the job you actually do. 188 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:18,079 Speaker 1: Good on you. Thanks so much for your time this morning, 189 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:19,240 Speaker 1: fitting much appreciated. 190 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:20,600 Speaker 2: As always, thank you, Katie.