1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:00,280 Speaker 1: Now. 2 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:03,320 Speaker 2: The Northern Territory government earlier this week announced that more 3 00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:06,040 Speaker 2: than fifty police officers are going to be rostered on 4 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:09,319 Speaker 2: Operation Drena throughout the summer period in Alice Springs. They're 5 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:11,239 Speaker 2: going to be in a range of roles and at 6 00:00:11,240 --> 00:00:15,160 Speaker 2: different times throughout the season as that demand dictates. The 7 00:00:15,200 --> 00:00:17,560 Speaker 2: government says that Operation Drener is going to have a 8 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 2: particular focus on alcohol related defending, including assaults, unlawful entries 9 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,759 Speaker 2: and domestic and family violence. So how can the police 10 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:29,159 Speaker 2: manage to juggle well to have this many officers in 11 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:31,479 Speaker 2: Alice Springs? Is it going to see more offices? I 12 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 2: mean we spoke to the Minister for Police about this. 13 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:36,280 Speaker 2: But joining me on the show right now is the 14 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 2: Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy. Good morning to you, 15 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 2: Good morning Kenny, thanks so much for your time this morning, Commissioner. Now, 16 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 2: fifty police, how is this being juggled when the Police 17 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 2: Association has been saying for quite some time that we're 18 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:51,480 Speaker 2: facing staff shortages. 19 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 3: So probably a couple of things. We're actually recruiting to 20 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 3: above attrician So we've got above FTA across the whole 21 00:00:58,760 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 3: Northern Churchary Police Force Operation DRAINA is a supplementary operation 22 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 3: to support frontline in Alice Springs. The planning around this 23 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 3: with the fifty additional is locally resourced. It's not drawing 24 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 3: on staff from other areas because as you understand, policing 25 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 3: across the Northern Territory has a high tempo at the moment. 26 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:24,120 Speaker 3: There's many pressing issues and demands with rogue policing, domestic violence, 27 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,840 Speaker 3: social order and property crime. So we've got to manage 28 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 3: that collectively and it is a priority. And what policing 29 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 3: operations do is focus on what's really important to the 30 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 3: community and right now the priority is public safety and 31 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 3: reassuring the members of the Alice Springs community and Central 32 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:43,760 Speaker 3: Australia they are safe and it's about focusing the resources. 33 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 3: So we've got the patrol groups so when people and 34 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:47,560 Speaker 3: we're doing a lot of work and can I say, 35 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 3: it's actually lots of opportunities and that's exciting. You know, 36 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:54,559 Speaker 3: when people pick up the phone and want a police card, 37 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 3: they should be able to see a police car fairly quickly. 38 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 3: So there's a lot of work being done in the 39 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 3: joint Emencity Communication Center as well. The response patrols which 40 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 3: operate twenty four to seven hour springs. They get the 41 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 3: tasking out of the Joint Emergency Communications Center as well. 42 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 3: Then we've got a basically support crew, which is Operation 43 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:14,639 Speaker 3: Drina that's operating twenty four to seven that supports that. 44 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 3: So at any one time you might have up to 45 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 3: six or seven police cars operating per shift across our springs. 46 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:23,640 Speaker 3: And what we're trying to do is reduce the demand, 47 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:28,480 Speaker 3: identify offending patterns, hotspots, what the issues are, and providing 48 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 3: some support to prevent crime and do the engagement even 49 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 3: through our aboriginal the agent officers with community identifying what 50 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 3: the patterns are to minimize and drive down and to 51 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 3: make sure we don't have the spike like we saw 52 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 3: last year. 53 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 2: And Commissioner, I mean, you make a really good point, 54 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 2: and that is one that people want to see police 55 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:48,800 Speaker 2: when they call through. They want to make sure that 56 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 2: if there's a dangerous situation unfolding, that they're able to 57 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 2: actually get police officers out to the scene, whether it's 58 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:57,079 Speaker 2: in Ala Springs or whether it's here in Darwin. Can 59 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 2: I just confirm though, that this operation isn't going to 60 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 2: the officers taken from other locations, So you're not actually 61 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 2: going to need to send them from Darwin or from 62 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 2: remote communities to Alice Springs to deal with their demand. 63 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 3: What you will see is support from the mounted unit. 64 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:13,800 Speaker 3: So you'll see the mounted unit in there. When you 65 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 3: see the bikes, they're local officers. You will see the 66 00:03:18,639 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 3: highway patrol and the traffic unit actually bolster in Ala 67 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 3: Springs as well. In early December, they'll roll out across 68 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:27,520 Speaker 3: the territory as part of the festive season and our 69 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 3: road safety operations as well, so you will see traffic coming. 70 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 3: And obviously we do continuency planning so if for some 71 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 3: reason and police do get diverted for other operations or 72 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 3: emergency management or an investigation, if that's required, we've got 73 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 3: some planning in place for a three teet approach to 74 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 3: deploy additional resources anywhere across the territory should they be required. 75 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 2: All right, So you're not actually going to be sending 76 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 2: fifty police officers from Darwin or anywhere else to Alice Springs, 77 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 2: but if there is a demand, you're going to get 78 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 2: those offices there as they need it, absolutely. 79 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 3: And can I just note so that the enormous effort 80 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:05,800 Speaker 3: from the officers in Alice Springs, Tenant Creek and Central Australia, 81 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 3: but the whole territory colickly because we're a team. But 82 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 3: you know that has been some leave management and the 83 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 3: threshold has been fairly tight, and there have been officers 84 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 3: who hadn't had their leave approved and I mean they've 85 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 3: made a sacrifice to work across the Christmas period and 86 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 3: the holiday period to keep territory and safe and I 87 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 3: just want to say thank you. 88 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,280 Speaker 2: So, Commissioner, is leave being canceled for some officers or 89 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 2: are they being told that this is not the time 90 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 2: to go away? 91 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,679 Speaker 3: Yeah? No, leaf hasn't been canceled, it's just not being approved. 92 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:34,160 Speaker 3: So if there's late requests, we'd or a bit of 93 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 3: planning twelve months out. It's called gazetta leave and most 94 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:40,719 Speaker 3: people allows them to plan trips overseas and the like. 95 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 3: But if you've got a late application, we've got thresholds 96 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 3: across different ranks and they'll probably just be disappointed when 97 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:46,679 Speaker 3: it's not approved. 98 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 2: Now, the same day that this announcement was being made, 99 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,280 Speaker 2: there were distressing scenes in Alice Springs. So the man 100 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:55,720 Speaker 2: allegedly smashing up windows of the CBD with an AX 101 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 2: like it was at four o'clock in the afternoon. We're 102 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 2: talking about an axe. It's a pretty violent thing to do. 103 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 2: Are you concerned at the level of, you know, a 104 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 2: violent behavior that you are seeing and the type of 105 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 2: weapons that you're seeing people use on the streets. 106 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 3: Yeah. Over the last couple of years, and it's not 107 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 3: isolated in the Northern Territory. We're seen across Australia prevalence 108 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 3: of serious violence with weapons edged weapons. We've seen different 109 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 3: strategies put in place. Obviously, we've got the wanding. They 110 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 3: did some wanning operations now the springs yesterday were they 111 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,799 Speaker 3: for a twelve hour period but no weapons were detected. 112 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, yea. 113 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 3: So this this bloke obviously was carrying an axe around 114 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 3: like a full sized axe, and then you know, smashed 115 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 3: a car and then stole some items out of the 116 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:42,680 Speaker 3: car and he was pretty quickly apprehended by us once 117 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 3: it was reported. And we had another incident last night 118 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 3: where a seventeen year old youth had a machete at 119 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 3: a service station. Apprehended fairly quickly. But it is concerning 120 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 3: when you see people who are armed. But we're doing 121 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 3: everything we can to obviously detect that and thank the 122 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:58,720 Speaker 3: members of the public for calling as soon as they 123 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 3: see it so we can respond really quickly. 124 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 2: I mean, excuse my bluntness, but bloody hell, like you're 125 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 2: talking about a massive axe and then you're talking about 126 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 2: a kid with a machete, Like that's dangerous stuff. 127 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:10,679 Speaker 3: Absolutely, it is dangerous and it can do serious harm. 128 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 3: And you know that the role for us is to 129 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 3: make sure that we identify patterns of behavior and controlling 130 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 3: the wanting operations, the mere presence and just going back 131 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 3: to the additional police Whilst we talk about police response, 132 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 3: it's absolutely essential that police are out in a proactive role, 133 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 3: being seen and in places that are actually stopping offenses accrying. 134 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 3: So actually walking them all and going to talk to 135 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 3: shop owners and residents across Ola Springs makes an incredible difference, 136 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 3: and there's some really good feedback about seeing hops and 137 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:41,920 Speaker 3: it's just that level of reassurance too that you're there, 138 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,480 Speaker 3: you're on the spot, and you're actually deterring people from 139 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 3: making bad choices. 140 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:47,960 Speaker 2: Is that something that you're sort of really trying to 141 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 2: push through as the new police commissioner, to make sure 142 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 2: that you know that the police are back out on 143 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 2: the streets doing that proactive policing because it did feel 144 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 2: as though it was something that we were lacking for 145 00:06:57,440 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 2: a few years there. 146 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 3: It absolutely is a priority, the engagement being visible. I'm 147 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 3: talking to people, understanding what's going on and talking to 148 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 3: the you know, the coffee with the cop is just 149 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 3: a really simple step in the right direction to engage 150 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 3: with the community. And when it first kicked off, there 151 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 3: was a lot of frustration, and I understand people's frustration, 152 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 3: but what's really important is for us to listen to 153 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 3: the frustration and adjust our sales to make sure we 154 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 3: deliver a service to the community, because that's what you expect. 155 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 2: One thing that people do seem very frustrated with is 156 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 2: kids behaving in a way that's unacceptable and not seeming 157 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 2: to be too worried about the consequence of their actions. 158 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 2: I mean, last week, and I know that the Northern 159 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 2: Territory Police did apprehend a number of these youths, but 160 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 2: last week we're in a situation where there was youths 161 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 2: allegedly throwing rocks and driving a stolen vehicle at the 162 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 2: Northern Territory Police. 163 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 3: Incredibly, it's just, you know, it's a whole range of 164 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:53,720 Speaker 3: issues there about poor choices, you know what it looks like, 165 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 3: and that's where depending on their age. Obviously, if they're 166 00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 3: above the age of twelve, they can face sanctions, whether 167 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 3: it's through dis version or go into the youth court. 168 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 3: But it's also the important work of Territory Families to 169 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 3: make sure they monitor the youth or what the issues 170 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 3: are is that you know, trauma, is that learning, is 171 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 3: a family issues at home and in guarantee all those boxes. 172 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: Atticked, Commissioner, do we have a situation though as well? 173 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 2: I mean you've got the police out on the beach 174 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 2: at twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. 175 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 2: You know you're apprehending in some cases these young people. 176 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 2: But then if they are under the age of criminal responsibility, realistically, 177 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 2: you know you'd want Territory families to be able to 178 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:34,720 Speaker 2: be there and to be able to help the police 179 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 2: so that your officers then aren't sort of being tied 180 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:40,319 Speaker 2: up or their time is not being taken up for 181 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 2: an extended period with these young people. 182 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 3: Absolutely, and there's some conversations occurring right now and the 183 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:49,240 Speaker 3: minister's very interested in as well and talking to the 184 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 3: Minister of the Territory Families about how they can assist 185 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 3: more in the field at a time where it's just 186 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 3: not taking police resource and time. 187 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 2: Now at Tenant Creek, there are some concerns about the 188 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:03,720 Speaker 2: crime levels Tenant Creek and concerns as well that sometimes 189 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:06,840 Speaker 2: they are the forgotten cousin. Is there additional work happening 190 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:08,200 Speaker 2: in Tenant Creek around crime? 191 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, Well, they've got the Investigation's crew there and they've 192 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,719 Speaker 3: actually got a really good team there. They've got a 193 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 3: lot of good numbers and they're doing incredibly important work 194 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 3: and they're definitely not forgotten. I'll be in Tennant Creek 195 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 3: in the second week of January. I'll spend some time 196 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 3: there and visit Ali Kroung tea tree in Elliott and 197 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:25,240 Speaker 3: spend some time on the ground there, and I'll be 198 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:27,080 Speaker 3: heading back to Alis next week. And I'll be spending 199 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 3: three weeks or so in Alice in December as well. 200 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 3: So it's really important you know, we're alive. We've got 201 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 3: representatives there that actually brief in and tell us what's 202 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 3: going on, and if they need extra resources or assistance, 203 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 3: we're there to help. 204 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:42,920 Speaker 2: Now. Commissioner Domestic Violence, it continues to have a massive 205 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 2: impact on our community. How often are the police being 206 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 2: called out to domestic violence incidents each day. 207 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 3: Every single day, we'll receive between seventy and one hundred 208 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 3: calls for assistance across the Northern Territory. Last night we 209 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 3: had ninety calls for assistance across the Northern Territory for 210 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 3: domestic violence assaults and incidents, and sixty of them were 211 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,280 Speaker 3: outside Darwin, So across the regional footprint Alice Springs, Tenant Creek, 212 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:09,719 Speaker 3: Catherine and the remote areas. So you know, we talk 213 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 3: about some of the exciting things going on. So we've 214 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 3: gone to a one deputy commissioner model. We've increased two 215 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:17,559 Speaker 3: assistant commissioners, one of them important will do the important 216 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:21,080 Speaker 3: work of domestic violence and youth, and that leadership position 217 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 3: will be based Alice Springs with an additional commander. 218 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 2: There were some concerns raised about that. We know that 219 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 2: it was reported earlier this month the two highly respected 220 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 2: Territory police officers were pushed out of the police top 221 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 2: brass amid a leadership shakeup which has upset some domestic 222 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 2: violence advocates. I know that acting Deputy Commissioner Michael White 223 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:44,520 Speaker 2: and Assistant Commissioner satch and Sharma will not be continuing in. 224 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:47,080 Speaker 1: Their current roles. Why did you make those moves? 225 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 3: So Satchan Sharma will continue in the domestic violence role. 226 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:53,199 Speaker 3: He's the Commander of Domestic Violence and Youth based in Darwin. 227 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:55,959 Speaker 3: And they haven't been pushed out of the executive they're 228 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:58,840 Speaker 3: still commanders and they're still assistant commissioners. They're part of 229 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:02,199 Speaker 3: the executive team working on a very important aspect of 230 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 3: policing and protection of life, which is domestic violence. And 231 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 3: even as recent of this week, Michael's actually been in 232 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 3: Canberra talking with his counterparts across law enforcement and the 233 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 3: Domestic Violence National Commissioner about the important issue. 234 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 1: So you're saying they haven't been demosor. 235 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 3: No, No, not at all. A lot Michael was acting 236 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 3: Deputy Commissioner. He'll be taking some leave later this year, 237 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 3: and we've got a really important part of the chronology 238 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 3: of law enforcement coming up with summer across and the 239 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 3: tropics in the monsoon emergency management, and we've got Surpro 240 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 3: rolling out in November. So I just need that really 241 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 3: important continuity for the workforce and leadership position to continue 242 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:37,960 Speaker 3: across the whole executive. 243 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:41,440 Speaker 2: It was reported though that Women's Safety Services of Central Australia. 244 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 2: Their Chief Executive, Larissa Ellis, had told the coroner that 245 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 2: the sector of loss to senior champions with that reshuffle. 246 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 1: Are you concerned about that? 247 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:53,560 Speaker 3: Not at all. No, they're still in the Police Executive. 248 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 3: They're still contribute to the priorities of the Northern Territory 249 00:11:56,760 --> 00:11:59,680 Speaker 3: of Police, strategic priorities and the safety of the community, 250 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 3: which there's a number of aspects to that, and they 251 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 3: will still contribute as part of the team. 252 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:06,600 Speaker 2: Commissioner, what is I mean you mentioned this a moment ago, 253 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:08,760 Speaker 2: but what is going to be happening with the executive? 254 00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 2: Are there going to be some more changes, more announcements. 255 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's still recruitment that'll continue next year for the 256 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 3: Deputy commissioner position, and we've got two assistant commissioner positions 257 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 3: will recruit to. We've just appointed Commander James gray Spence 258 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 3: to the important position of Southern Command, so he's taking 259 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 3: the lead leaders position into the summer analyis now, so 260 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 3: that's some office stability. And then we've got another commander 261 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:34,319 Speaker 3: position that will be advertised and recruited to internally for 262 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 3: the Domestic Violence and Youth position based in Alice Springs. 263 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:38,319 Speaker 1: All right, when are we expecting that to happen? 264 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 3: So the Acting Deputy Comissioner, Martin Dole is the chair 265 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 3: of that panel that's underway at the moment. 266 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 2: All right now, alcohol issues, it continues to be a 267 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:48,840 Speaker 2: massive issue, particularly well, I guess you'd say right across 268 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:50,240 Speaker 2: the board, but I know that it's something that a 269 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 2: lot of people contact the show about. Why do you 270 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:54,440 Speaker 2: think we're seeing an increase at the moment in that 271 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:55,319 Speaker 2: public drinking. 272 00:12:56,559 --> 00:13:00,319 Speaker 3: I think that, you know, I think the we see 273 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:03,680 Speaker 3: a lot of secondary supplying. So our cohol is a 274 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:08,280 Speaker 3: huge enabler for serious violent crime. We're seeing about sixty 275 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 3: six percent in relation to domestic violence. It's quite prevalent 276 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 3: when people drink in public places, and you know, we 277 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 3: see it in public parks and that's where most of 278 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 3: the crime the vulnerabilities are, whether it's a sexual assault 279 00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:24,400 Speaker 3: or other violent crime that's domestic RELATEDED it's usually intimate partner, 280 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 3: public place and our coals involved or another type of drug. 281 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 3: We're continually working. We've seen the Liquoract review that's underway 282 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:34,600 Speaker 3: at the moment across government about what policing and other 283 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:37,200 Speaker 3: apec is can do to limit the harm associated with 284 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 3: alcohol and substance misuse, and what that looks like is 285 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 3: a part of health. What looks like in law enforcement, obviously, 286 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:48,960 Speaker 3: our focus is reducing availability and helping the regulating authority 287 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:51,640 Speaker 3: control it because we see so prevalent in so many 288 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 3: of our response times. You know, one of the most 289 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 3: important things for us, and when we talk about going 290 00:13:56,640 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 3: back to engagement and proactive policing, is reducing the demand 291 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 3: because that allow us to shift the focus back from 292 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,480 Speaker 3: the demand and the high tempo and the appetite we 293 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 3: have for public course assistance back into a frame where 294 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 3: that's decreased, we'd actually do some good work in the 295 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 3: prevention space. 296 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:12,400 Speaker 1: So how do you do that? 297 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 3: Well, I think it's about having conversations about what we 298 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 3: can see and I'm very mindful, and it's hard because 299 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 3: it's a lawful substance, it's a business, and you know 300 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 3: it's got a regulating body looking after it. But it's 301 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 3: about what we see, and it's just providing that advice 302 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 3: to government to say, this is some options you might 303 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:34,360 Speaker 3: be able to have and explore to help us reduce harm. 304 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 2: I don't know if you've got this darter on you, 305 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 2: but just talking about those ninety call outs for example 306 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 2: last night around DV. What percentage of those callouts would 307 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 2: then be incidents that are happening in public places? 308 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 3: A majority of them? Right, Yeah, there's I mean, we 309 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 3: do say, you know, I don't have those figures, but 310 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:55,000 Speaker 3: a lot of them are in public We do say, 311 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 3: like public places, in even housing estates, those types of 312 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 3: of locations. But there is a lot of public place. 313 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 3: You know, when you look at the domestic violence in quests, 314 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 3: a lot of those harms are occurring in public places. 315 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 2: Like it is terrible really when you think of it 316 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:13,240 Speaker 2: that way, and then when you kind of think to yourself, well, 317 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:15,000 Speaker 2: what can we do to stop that from happening in 318 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 2: the first place, and to stop people from you know, 319 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 2: being out there drinking publicly and then leading to domestic 320 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:24,440 Speaker 2: violence incidents. It's something that, like it is a really 321 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:25,840 Speaker 2: serious issue for us, and. 322 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 3: I think that's something we'reve acknowledged, is we've got a 323 00:15:28,600 --> 00:15:31,239 Speaker 3: lot of work to do, and we've got to translate 324 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 3: our words now into actions and actually make a tangible. 325 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:37,040 Speaker 1: Difference now just on that still on that public drinking. 326 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 2: I know that as part of that review, and we 327 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 2: were just talking about in a moment ago and what 328 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 2: had been you know, what had been basically tabled in parliament. 329 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 2: As I understand it, one of those recommendations that the 330 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,640 Speaker 2: police have wanted to see was changes with the police 331 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:54,640 Speaker 2: able to check ideas of those people that are drinking publicly. 332 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 2: Is that something do you think that would help in 333 00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:58,600 Speaker 2: some ways? I mean, if there is two people that 334 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:02,000 Speaker 2: are sitting together drinking and there is you know, there 335 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:05,320 Speaker 2: is like some kind of restraining order or something that 336 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:08,480 Speaker 2: you're actually then able to check those licenses to ensure 337 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:09,320 Speaker 2: that they're not together. 338 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think of people. So it broadens. So under 339 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 3: the current powers, we can request information or identify person 340 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 3: when they may provide information and relation to an offense 341 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 3: or an investigation or the commission of an offense. This 342 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 3: will allow, for say a public someone drinking in public, 343 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 3: that we can actually ask the question and lawfully have 344 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 3: the ability to get the answer. So that will allow 345 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 3: us to find out if they've got proole orders outstanding, 346 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:37,000 Speaker 3: if they've got domestic violence orders. We do, so it's 347 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 3: about probably managing it so officers act lawfully and the 348 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:46,040 Speaker 3: conversation about human rights and natural justice and fairness like that, 349 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 3: and that's what government does, and that's why we say 350 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 3: we would like an additional power to look at this, 351 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 3: which gives our officers and enhance power, but it needs 352 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 3: to be balanced obviously with the community expectation, but it 353 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 3: will help us. 354 00:16:57,200 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, Woul, it's the a minimization. Do you think in 355 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:00,920 Speaker 2: some degree of what we do see when it comes 356 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 2: to that public drinking. 357 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 3: Well, it goes back to that very prevention piece about 358 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 3: knowing who we're dealing with instead of just moving people on. 359 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 3: We're working really incredibly hard with the patrol on network 360 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 3: as well, but if we can work out who we're 361 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 3: dealing with, where they're from, what enough, they've got a 362 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 3: history of violence, that's a flag for us, and say 363 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 3: what can we do to make sure that person doesn't 364 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 3: commit a crime later on? So I think that's really 365 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:25,679 Speaker 3: that's the intelligence part as well, and about how we 366 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:28,720 Speaker 3: direct resourcing to keep people safe. And when you've got 367 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:33,120 Speaker 3: the vulnerabilities as usually people known to each other, intoxicated 368 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:35,919 Speaker 3: in a public place, So that's where the greatest risk is. 369 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 3: So if we can do things to address that risk 370 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:40,879 Speaker 3: and minimize any of those harms, it's a step in 371 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 3: the right direction. 372 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:43,680 Speaker 2: Now, Commissioner, before I let you go this morning. The 373 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:46,879 Speaker 2: separation of the try service, it's been something you know, 374 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 2: like I worked for in the Police Media Unit, I 375 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 2: guess like eighteen years ago. It's something that's been in 376 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 2: place for such a long period of time. But it 377 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:56,639 Speaker 2: looks like it's all going to be separated. Is this 378 00:17:56,680 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 2: a positive move from your perspective? 379 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 3: Absolutely, it's really exciting. It's exciting for the fire is 380 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 3: its signing for the EMANCI services to have a direct 381 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 3: line and report to the Minister through a foreign Emergency 382 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 3: service commissioner is fantastic in what is future proofing fire 383 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:17,080 Speaker 3: service and emergency services? In the Fire service what independence? 384 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 3: You know, they're hard working, they report through the CEO, 385 00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:21,960 Speaker 3: but they could have a direct line through or a commissioner. 386 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 2: Now. 387 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 3: Emergency services with the intensity increasing in climbactic change and 388 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:30,160 Speaker 3: what that looks like for the territory is really exciting 389 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 3: for them as well. There won't be much change around 390 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:36,119 Speaker 3: the emergency management acts for the territory controller and the 391 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:39,399 Speaker 3: local controllers regional controllers because the police are everywhere, so 392 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:41,199 Speaker 3: when we need to execute the mission will stand up 393 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:44,120 Speaker 3: and do the job. But yeah, it is really exciting now. 394 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 1: In addition, to that. 395 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 2: Is it going to like is it going to be 396 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:51,439 Speaker 2: from your perspective, do you think it's going to make 397 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 2: it a bit different or a bit easier for you 398 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:55,919 Speaker 2: to focus all of your energy on the police and 399 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:58,400 Speaker 2: on the policing issues and on the issues that we've 400 00:18:58,400 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 2: got with crime. 401 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 3: Yeah. Absolutely, Like I'll always have a non emergency management 402 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 3: and obviously what you know, what we explore in the territories, fires, flood, 403 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:11,400 Speaker 3: cyclones and other crisis that's our role. But it will 404 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 3: allow me to have a sharp and focus on policing 405 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:16,200 Speaker 3: activities and you know what the future with the review 406 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:19,600 Speaker 3: of being undertaken, future planning for the Northern Territory of Police. 407 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:23,159 Speaker 3: So we're ready to go when our match fit commissioner. 408 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:25,720 Speaker 2: Just one last question. Somebody's just messaged through and cities. 409 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 2: Is that Is it correct that it's now a new 410 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 2: Alice Alice Springs commander. 411 00:19:30,440 --> 00:19:31,920 Speaker 1: Yes, yes, that's direct. 412 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:35,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, And so obviously you're hoping that he'll come 413 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 2: in with a you know, with an approach to really 414 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:38,920 Speaker 2: just get on top of everything down there. 415 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 3: He already has, he's been acting in the role for 416 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:43,760 Speaker 3: a few months. He's red hot and he's ready to 417 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:45,480 Speaker 3: roll and he's on fire and he's doing a great 418 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:48,240 Speaker 3: job and we'll look after the people of Alice Springs 419 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:49,600 Speaker 3: in central Australia under his command. 420 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:52,760 Speaker 2: Well, Police Commissioner Michael Murphy, we appreciate your time, Thanks 421 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:54,080 Speaker 2: so much for joining us this morning.