1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:02,480 Speaker 1: Now, as we've been talking about, we know, there were 2 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:06,119 Speaker 1: thirty two recommendations handed down as part of the summary 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 1: of the twelve chapter six hundred odd pages of findings 4 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: into the death of kumen Ji Walker, the coroner obviously 5 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:19,079 Speaker 1: breaking those findings down into three key sections, calling on 6 00:00:19,079 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory government to review youth services in New 7 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:26,800 Speaker 1: and Demu, expand night patrols, provide on country rehabilitation and 8 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: youth diversion, as well as develop a ten year plan 9 00:00:29,880 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: for youth addressing the factors that contribute to crime. We 10 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,239 Speaker 1: know as well, there are a number of recommendations for 11 00:00:36,280 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Police, the Police Force issuing a statement 12 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:43,879 Speaker 1: acknowledging those findings and the recommendations. Now joining us on 13 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: the show is the Northern Territori's Acting Police Commissioner, Martin Dole. 14 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:49,560 Speaker 1: Good morning to you. 15 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie. 16 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 1: Now, Acting Commissioner, what was your reaction to the recommendations 17 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 1: that were handed down. 18 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 2: Well, there's no real surprises in there for us, Katie, 19 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 2: But I suppose what I want to say is it's 20 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 2: not about defending the organization. It's about acknowledging the past, 21 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 2: understanding community expectations, and improving the way that we please. 22 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 2: So we know that trust doesn't come from a press 23 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:16,559 Speaker 2: release or a single moment. It's earned slowly and genuinely 24 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 2: over time. 25 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:20,959 Speaker 1: I mean, it's I guess it's a difficult juggle in 26 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 1: a lot of ways at the moment because you've got 27 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:25,680 Speaker 1: real issues in the community when it comes to crime 28 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,480 Speaker 1: that the police are dealing with every single day. You know, 29 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: you've got a situation where where this tragic incident has unfolded. 30 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: The coroner obviously recommending a number of different measures. Is 31 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:46,080 Speaker 1: it going to take quite some time to work through 32 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 1: these measures but also sort of work through what can 33 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,279 Speaker 1: realistically be implemented in what can't. 34 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, Katie, So we acknowledge the aiding recommendations for the 35 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 2: Norn Territory Police and we'll give each one of them 36 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 2: serious consideration moving forward. Some reforms are already underway, including 37 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 2: the finalization of an anti racism strategy. But this case 38 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 2: has already caused deep reflection and change within the Northern 39 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 2: Territory Police Force. But this change must continue. So this 40 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 2: moment reinforces the work that is still needed. 41 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:23,799 Speaker 1: Acting Commissioner, we know that the coroner found institutional racism 42 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: inside the Northern Territory Police Force. She'd said, thanks in 43 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 1: part to mister Rolf's revelations at the inquest about the 44 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 1: Anti Elite Tactical Response Group's past practice of giving out 45 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 1: awards at the end of year celebration, she said, I 46 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 1: find that mister Rolf was racist and that he worked 47 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 1: in and was the beneficiary of an organization with hallmarks 48 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 1: of institutional racism. What do you say to. 49 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 2: That, Well, Katie, we're not shying away of the findings 50 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:58,920 Speaker 2: or what's been said by the coroner, and we understand 51 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 2: that what's been said due this inquest will stay with 52 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,800 Speaker 2: the public. We accept the challenges that come with that, 53 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 2: and we won't show away from that. Our response is 54 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 2: not about spin. It's about acknowledging what needs to change 55 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 2: and doing the work to fix it. 56 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: Some of the recommendations that have been made, I know 57 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:20,119 Speaker 1: that there is already work that's sort of been gone through. 58 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:23,520 Speaker 1: As you said, they're the anti Racism Strategy, as well 59 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 1: as the ongoing delivery of cultural awareness and anti racism 60 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 1: training and the creation of a Cultural Reform Command. Do 61 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: you believe that the creation of these things and undertaking 62 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: of this work is going to bridge any gaps where 63 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: you do have members of the community that could ultimately 64 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:47,920 Speaker 1: feel as though some members of the police force act 65 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 1: in a in a racist way. 66 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,120 Speaker 2: Look, Katie, I think we must recognize that trust between 67 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 2: police and Aboriginal communities has been fractured and in some 68 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:00,160 Speaker 2: places definitely more than others. But it's our job to 69 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 2: rebuild that trust through consistent, honest and respectful policing. We 70 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 2: don't expect trust to be given freely, and we know 71 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 2: that it must be. 72 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 1: In how do you also then juggle that when you've 73 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 1: Like the association joined us on the show a little 74 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:18,920 Speaker 1: bit earlier this morning, they said, we also cannot turn 75 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 1: away from the difficult truths. The reality is that police 76 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:26,799 Speaker 1: are left to deal with the consequences of systemic failures, 77 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 1: and they're the ones who are regularly confronted by abusive 78 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,920 Speaker 1: and violent behavior, and they're the ones who must protect 79 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:38,360 Speaker 1: the community, often at a significant personal and emotional cost. 80 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, Katie, Look, so we're committed to reform, and this 81 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:46,800 Speaker 2: includes better training, better engagement with the Aboriginal communities, and 82 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:49,880 Speaker 2: a renewed focus on cultural understanding. But it's also important 83 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 2: to note that the coroner made comment in her findings 84 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:57,679 Speaker 2: on member welfare, and that's also wrapped up in responsibility 85 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 2: for the agency and something that we need to look 86 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 2: at as well. 87 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 1: Look, one of the other recommendations was that the Northern 88 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:07,359 Speaker 1: Territory Government implement mandatory drug and alcohol testing for police 89 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: after crucial incidents to bring us in line with other jurisdictions. 90 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: Is that something that you'd welcome. 91 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 2: Like I said, I probably won't address any of the 92 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 2: individual and in recommendations directed at the police, but to 93 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 2: say that we acknowledge all of those recommendations and we'll 94 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,719 Speaker 2: be working through those with the Northern Territory Government, including 95 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 2: the broader thirty two wider recommendations that are focused on 96 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 2: other agencies in the Northern Territory Government. 97 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:35,039 Speaker 1: I know that the coroner also recommended the Northern Territory 98 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 1: Police Force include policies for officers around carrying AR fifteen 99 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:44,920 Speaker 1: semi automatic assault rifles, strengthening as you've touched on there, 100 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: the anti racism strategy, tailored cultural training, development of a 101 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 1: debrief and welfare policy for deaths in custody, and for 102 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 1: all members to do remote postings of four months in 103 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:00,920 Speaker 1: their first three years of employment with the force. Now 104 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: as I know you have just said there needs to 105 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:07,039 Speaker 1: be some extensive work to get through all of the 106 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:09,840 Speaker 1: recommendations that have been made. But first off, I mean, 107 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:12,599 Speaker 1: what do you make of the concerns around guns in 108 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:16,480 Speaker 1: the community. Do you think that, I mean, like, ultimately 109 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 1: do police need them? 110 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 2: Look, I think rather than go to the individual recommendations again, Katie, 111 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:26,680 Speaker 2: there's been extensive evidence taken in the cronial process on this. 112 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:29,280 Speaker 2: I gave some evidence myself in the cronial process about 113 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 2: guns on communities. I think what I'll do is go 114 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 2: back to what I said is we acknowledge the eight 115 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 2: en recommendations in full directed at the non territory police, 116 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 2: and we'll give each one of them serious consideration moving forward. 117 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: All right, but not committing to them at this point 118 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:43,159 Speaker 1: in time. 119 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 2: Like I said, Well, we acknowledge all of them, and 120 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 2: we'll give each of them serious consideration and we'll see 121 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 2: what's possible moving forward. 122 00:06:50,520 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: The Northern Territory's Aboriginal lead Legal Service say that the 123 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: coroner has not gone far enough in her recommendations. NAJA 124 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:01,359 Speaker 1: reckon that they're disappointed that the coroner has not recommended 125 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 1: an independent oversight body to police the Northern Territory police 126 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 1: and to drive structural change in the police force. Do 127 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 1: you think we need an independent oversight body? 128 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 2: Well, Katie, I think I've been on records talking about 129 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 2: the oversight bodies that already exist within the Northern Territory, 130 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:25,679 Speaker 2: and there's quite strict and rigid controls already that investigate police. 131 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:28,160 Speaker 2: We've got the Independent Commissioner against Corruption and we've also 132 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 2: got the Northern Territory Onwardsman. You know, we acknowledge all 133 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,160 Speaker 2: of the commentary in the findings from the coroner, and 134 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 2: as I said, we'll consider everything that has been said 135 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 2: in that and work towards what can be implemented. I'm 136 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 2: sure as other agencies and I'm sure as the Anti 137 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 2: government will do as well. 138 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 1: Well. Yeah, and look, you know, I sort of you know, 139 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 1: I tend to think the way that you are at 140 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 1: the moment, how many oversight bodies do we actually need 141 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 1: in the Northern Territory. And I get what Najor is saying, however, 142 00:07:57,080 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: you've already got I mean, we've just literally gone through 143 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: this whole coronial process. There's six hundred odd pages to 144 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 1: be able to read through. I just don't really know 145 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,880 Speaker 1: what another independent oversight body would do as I say, 146 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 1: I get what Najor is saying there, but yeah, I 147 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 1: just don't know whether it's actually required. 148 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, Katie, i'd agree. I mean I've talked to 149 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 2: some federal politicians in relation to you know, oversight, independent 150 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 2: oversight of police investigations, and I said, we're not saying 151 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 2: we don't support that, but if that conversation was to 152 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 2: commence federally, then of course we'd be involved in that. 153 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 2: But I don't have a position at the moment. Like 154 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 2: I've said, I think the mechanisms in place already in 155 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory are fairly robust, and we've seen that 156 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 2: born out. 157 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,839 Speaker 1: Acting Commissioner, Can you talk us through some of the 158 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 1: internal reforms that you are currently working on within the 159 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:55,959 Speaker 1: Northern Territory Police Force. I mean, as we touched on earlier, 160 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,480 Speaker 1: we know that many of the findings and many of 161 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: the recommendations probably were a huge surprise in a lot 162 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: of ways, particularly for the Northern Territory Police in terms 163 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:09,040 Speaker 1: of being involved in and sitting through the coronial inquest process. 164 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:14,080 Speaker 1: But what work is actually underway right now to try 165 00:09:14,120 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 1: to make sure that we do not see this situation 166 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 1: happen again. 167 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,959 Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks, Katie. Look, cultural change in any police force 168 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 2: is hard and it takes time. That that's not an 169 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 2: excuse to not confront issues directly, and we're doing that. 170 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 2: So what we've already done is we've built cultural awareness 171 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 2: and any Racism training and that's already started to be 172 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 2: rolled out across the Northern Territory Police Force and territory 173 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 2: wide programs have started to be delivered. We've changed our 174 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 2: recruitment and training reforms and we've got new entry and 175 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 2: training pathways to better prepare recruits for their roles and 176 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 2: responsibilities of policing in diverse communities. And we've created the 177 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:57,679 Speaker 2: Cultural Reform Unit led by Executive Director Leanne Little, and 178 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 2: Leanne is leading a body of work in to a 179 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 2: lot of that cultural competency training that we're doing to 180 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:06,320 Speaker 2: better our police force and better prepare our members for 181 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:08,080 Speaker 2: what they're to expect when they're out there policing. 182 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:10,040 Speaker 1: And is some of that work going to be made 183 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: public so people can see what exactly the Northern Territory 184 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 1: Police are doing in this space. 185 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 2: It absolutely is, Katie, And very soon you'll see our 186 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 2: nearly finalized any Racism strategy out there for public commentary. 187 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 1: Okay, we'll keep an eye out for that. Tell me 188 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: how are the Northern Territory Police going when working towards 189 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:32,440 Speaker 1: that target of thirty percent representation of Aboriginal people within 190 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: the force. 191 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 2: Yep, Katie, We've got about thirteen percent Aboriginal employment across 192 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory Police Force and that's made up of 193 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 2: a variety of employees from sworn members to administrative staff 194 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:47,400 Speaker 2: to executive leadership within the Northern Territory Police Force. So 195 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 2: that's something that we're committed to achieving and we're doing 196 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,600 Speaker 2: everything we can to ensure that the police force is 197 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 2: a safe work environment and we can attract as many 198 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 2: Aboriginal people to positions right across the Northern Territory Police Force. 199 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:03,439 Speaker 1: Acting. You faced a bit of criticism earlier this week 200 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:08,199 Speaker 1: from Ned Hargraves and some within the un Demux community 201 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:12,439 Speaker 1: that you'd left before what was reported as a pre 202 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 1: organized meeting with him and other community leaders. 203 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:19,560 Speaker 2: What happened, Yeah, Katie, Look, and I've said I'm sorry 204 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:22,319 Speaker 2: that mister Hargraves feels that way, and there was no 205 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:25,199 Speaker 2: intent to disrespect mister Hargraves or any of the other 206 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 2: community members in relation to that. But I at the 207 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 2: conclusion of the findings, I spoke to several of the 208 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 2: elders of the community and we discussed that the family 209 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:36,559 Speaker 2: were quite occupied in digesting the findings. They were having 210 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:39,760 Speaker 2: meetings with lawyers that were having meetings amongst themselves, and 211 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 2: they advised me in consultation that was probably better for 212 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 2: those conversations to happen at a later date. So I 213 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:48,080 Speaker 2: took that on board and we left, so there was 214 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 2: no running away or disengaging from and Ned, and I 215 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 2: apologized that he was left to feel that. 216 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:58,839 Speaker 1: Way where too from here acting Commissioner, because I feel 217 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: like we're in a difficulty situation in the Northern Territory. 218 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: As I touched on before, we know that we have 219 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 1: got incredibly high rates of crime in the NT. We 220 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: unfortunately see quite a high representation of crime committed by 221 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 1: Indigenous people in the Northern Territory. That has been well documented. 222 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 1: We know that our Northern Territory Police, you know, they 223 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:27,559 Speaker 1: juggle a really tough job and that's also been exemplified 224 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 1: through another coronial inquest, which is still to have those 225 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: recommendations handed down. I mean, how do you, as the 226 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:40,079 Speaker 1: acting Northern Territory Police Commissioner ensure that you are indeed 227 00:12:40,080 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: and that our force is indeed serving the entire Northern 228 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:44,880 Speaker 1: Territory community. 229 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks, Katie. Look, so we know that Crimen Joe 230 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:52,720 Speaker 2: Walker's death has changed how many people see us. We're 231 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 2: not running from that. We're confronting it with honesty and 232 00:12:56,120 --> 00:13:00,559 Speaker 2: a willingness to be better. So we're committed to training, 233 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 2: better engagement with Aboriginal communities, and a renewed focus on 234 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 2: cultural understanding. But it's also important to look at what 235 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 2: we committed to doing for our membership as well, and 236 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:15,400 Speaker 2: that includes our early intervention program and our member welfare program. 237 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:18,719 Speaker 2: This has been a long journey for the family of 238 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 2: Kumen Joe Walker, for the wider U in the Moo community, 239 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 2: in the world, we nation, but also for the wider 240 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 2: Northern Territory Police Force. Here we are nearly six years 241 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 2: after the initial incident occurred, and we started our reform 242 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 2: as soon as this commenced. So we're a very different 243 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 2: police force than we were in twenty nineteen, and that 244 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 2: journey continues. 245 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:40,719 Speaker 1: I know that the Police Association had said on the 246 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 1: show earlier this morning as well. You know that there 247 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:49,320 Speaker 1: are some changes that they'd like to see proactively supporting officers. 248 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 1: You've just touched on that before. The job takes its toll, 249 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:56,680 Speaker 1: including through regular rotation of high stress operational roles and 250 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 1: identifying at risk members to provide early intervention, unseling, fatigue 251 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 1: management and support services, as well as the implementation and 252 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: enforcing clear, consistent policies that address and correct poor behavior 253 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:14,320 Speaker 1: within the force. There's a lot of information for you 254 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 1: as the acting Commissioner to get through, not only with 255 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 1: those recommendations, but of course with what the association has said. 256 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: I mean, how important is it do you think that 257 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 1: you do indeed implement those you know, those measures that 258 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 1: the association are calling for as well, Loo Katie. 259 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 2: We take our relationship with Non Territory Police Association very seriously. 260 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:39,240 Speaker 2: The representative body of over ninety eight percent of our 261 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 2: membership across the police force, so we take that seriously. 262 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 2: But as the commission and police we care about I 263 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 2: care about our entire workforce. So, like I said, we're 264 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 2: listening to the communities and we're listening to what we 265 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,479 Speaker 2: can do better, but we're also listening to our membership. 266 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 2: We can't change what happened in twenty nineteen. But what 267 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 2: we can do can change is how we move forward, 268 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,640 Speaker 2: and that's our responsibility. That's my responsibility, and it's one 269 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 2: I take seriously. 270 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: We've spoken a lot about the people of EU and 271 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:12,640 Speaker 1: Demu and the hurt that they're obviously feeling in that community, 272 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,040 Speaker 1: but I know we hear from a lot of Northern 273 00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 1: Territory police officers as well, and I think that for 274 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 1: some at the moment, they are finding it pretty tough. 275 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:24,360 Speaker 1: I mean, the association's president had said that to us 276 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 1: earlier this morning on the show, said that some are questioning, 277 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 1: you know, heading to work. I mean, what do you 278 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,760 Speaker 1: say to those police officers that listen to this show 279 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 1: and are listening to you this morning, you know that 280 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:40,520 Speaker 1: are feeling I don't know what the right word is, 281 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 1: maybe a bit broken, a bit fragile. 282 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 2: Right now, Look, Katie, I just thank our hard working 283 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 2: police force for the work that they do every day. 284 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 2: We work in some of the most challenging conditions and 285 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:55,600 Speaker 2: environments across Australia and our people keep showing up day 286 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 2: after day, shift after shift. So I just thank them 287 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:00,960 Speaker 2: for the work that they do, that that they have done. 288 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 2: I'll just take this opportunity again to thank all of 289 00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 2: the members of the police force that gave evidence during 290 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 2: this inquest. It's been a three year process. It's been 291 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 2: very hard on the community, the family of Kumu Joe Walker, 292 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 2: but the wider police force, and I thank those officers 293 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 2: for their honesty and their direct evidence and confronting evidence 294 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,920 Speaker 2: at times in the cronial process. But like I said, 295 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:24,880 Speaker 2: this is not about defending the organization or individual people 296 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:28,520 Speaker 2: that feel aggrieved. It's about acknowledging what was borne out 297 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 2: by that evidence, accepting it and saying we're going to 298 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:33,400 Speaker 2: do things better as we move forward. 299 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:37,000 Speaker 1: And just in response to what the Northern Territory Police 300 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:40,000 Speaker 1: Association see with them saying a number of members say 301 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 1: that they can't continue policing after all of this, I mean, 302 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 1: from your perspective, is that the case. 303 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 2: Look, Katie, I think there'll be individual reactions and people 304 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 2: will feel very different to findings and to commentary that's 305 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:59,440 Speaker 2: come out. But it's not about individuals being defensive. It's 306 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 2: about all organization being willing to learn, even when that's uncomfortable, 307 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 2: and doing what we can to address those uncomfortable truths 308 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 2: that have come out and what can we do to 309 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 2: change moving forward. 310 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:15,600 Speaker 1: Well, Acting Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole really appreciate 311 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 1: your time this morning. Thanks for joining us, Thanks Katie, 312 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 1: Thanks for your Tom. Thank you