1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,160 Speaker 1: Joining me in this studio for the first time this year, 2 00:00:02,360 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole. 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:06,160 Speaker 2: Good morning to your commissioner. 4 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 3: Good morning, Katie. 5 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:08,560 Speaker 2: Good to have you on the show. 6 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:11,960 Speaker 1: And there's quite a bit happening around the Northern Territory today, 7 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: particularly when you look at that flooding. I know that 8 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:17,599 Speaker 1: we've now got residents from the Daily River region who've 9 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:20,240 Speaker 1: been evacuated to Darwin, to the Fosky Pavilion. 10 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:22,119 Speaker 2: How many are we talking. 11 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:26,639 Speaker 4: Yeah, absolutely, Katie. So thanks to our team for doing 12 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 4: incredible planning around this. We were able to get all 13 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 4: of the residents of Daily River out last night. So 14 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:35,200 Speaker 4: you know, in days gone past, we'd wait and we'd 15 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:38,000 Speaker 4: do some assessments and we'd be stuck by flood waters 16 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 4: and we'd have to helicopter took people out. 17 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:41,480 Speaker 3: So last night we. 18 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 4: Were able to evacuate the entire community. Two hundred and 19 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 4: ninety eight people have been taken out of Daily River, 20 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:51,680 Speaker 4: some of those by us. About forty five self evacuated 21 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 4: and drove in as well. So we've got Fosky's pavilions 22 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 4: stood up providing emergency shelter for those people and looking 23 00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:01,200 Speaker 4: after their needs whilst the flooding continues at Daily. 24 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: And Commissioner, I mean, assuming the police everybody are out 25 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:06,400 Speaker 1: or do you keep a fit like what sort of happens? 26 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:09,319 Speaker 1: Does some essential staff stay in the Daily region. 27 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:12,559 Speaker 4: The community, the community itself been evacuated, but we still 28 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 4: have police and some extra police resources at the Daily 29 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:15,680 Speaker 4: River Police station. 30 00:01:15,880 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 3: Okay, but that is isolated as well. 31 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 4: The police stations isolated, but they have access to floodboats 32 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 4: and they're there to be able to respond if there's 33 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 4: anything that is unforeseen that eventuates. We've got cops on 34 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 4: the ground there ready to rest. 35 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, And that's always the tough part I suppose in 36 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 1: the territory is sometimes you know, somebody may rock up, 37 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:35,520 Speaker 1: or I don't know, something might happen, and you need 38 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: the police to be there to be able to help. 39 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 2: Out if required. 40 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:42,039 Speaker 4: That's exactly right, Katie, I suppose. It's probably also important 41 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 4: to note there's about sixty five people across various homelands 42 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 4: that are still out there that didn't evacuate. Now they're 43 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 4: not expected to be inundated by floodwaters, but they will 44 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:55,800 Speaker 4: be isolated. So those people are isolated in their communities 45 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 4: we've made contact. They're well aware of the situation and 46 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:01,480 Speaker 4: we don't have concerns for their safety at the moment. 47 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 3: But this was about the safety of people. 48 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 4: And it was really important that the planning was done 49 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 4: to get people out when we could in the safest 50 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 4: possible manner. 51 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 1: And Commissioner, it's not the first time that the people 52 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 1: of the Daily have had to be evacuated when there 53 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:18,840 Speaker 1: is flooding. I mean it's something that happens, not I 54 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:21,880 Speaker 1: don't want to say yearly, but fairly regularly. 55 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 3: That's right, Katie. 56 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:26,639 Speaker 4: Comes like the territory community is used to a couple 57 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 4: of things that come around every year. That's Christmas, Easter 58 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:31,920 Speaker 4: in the Daily, river flooding. But you know, we've been 59 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 4: lucky in the last couple of years that we haven't 60 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:37,119 Speaker 4: had significant floods at the Daily. We've escaped that they've 61 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:38,880 Speaker 4: been in other parts of the territory and we've had 62 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 4: other communities that have been inundated. But the community is 63 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,960 Speaker 4: well versed in being evacuated. They're quite resilient. They're aware 64 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 4: of working with the police and what it entails to 65 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:51,480 Speaker 4: be evacuated. So they've been remarkable throughout this and really 66 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 4: helpful and have helped our efforts. 67 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:56,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, that is good to hear. Any idea how long 68 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 1: they're going to be here, we don't really know. I 69 00:02:57,639 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: suppose do we. 70 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:03,799 Speaker 4: Look that's dependent continued rain. So far, the predictions from 71 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:07,080 Speaker 4: the Bureau have been really accurate with regards to the 72 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 4: rising river rates. 73 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:10,119 Speaker 3: We're currently at moderate flooding. 74 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 4: At the Daily River, which they said would occur overnight 75 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 4: and this morning, and that's exactly what happened. We're currently 76 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:19,640 Speaker 4: at moderate flooding. It's expected to hit major flood levels 77 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 4: over the weekend, and we're obviously preparing and monitoring that 78 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 4: and then recede next week. And after it recedes, then 79 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:28,519 Speaker 4: we can go in and do those assessments and see 80 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 4: what damage was caused and work on getting people back 81 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 4: to their community as quickly as possible so there's a 82 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 4: minimal disturbance to their lives. 83 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 2: And that'll be the next step one. 84 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:38,760 Speaker 1: It's sort of cleaning things up and making sure that 85 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: properties aren't damaged. But we won't really know how that's 86 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 1: going to go until we see what happens over the 87 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 1: next couple of days. That's right, that's correct, Now, Commissioner, 88 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 1: I do want to ask you about the situation in 89 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 1: what Air. We know that Northern Territory Police, as I 90 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: understand it, since January, about twenty six people arrested following 91 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: violence in that community. Weapons seized, including crossbows, bows in 92 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: our and axes. The vision coming out of the community 93 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 1: is pretty frightening. 94 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 2: Staff. 95 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 3: What's the latest, Yeah, Katie, that's exactly right. 96 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 4: So since the beginning of this year, there's been ongoing 97 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 4: violent clashes amongst family groups of what I and every 98 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:17,679 Speaker 4: instance the police have been able to respond and ensure 99 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 4: that there was no significant injuries to people. But the 100 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:24,480 Speaker 4: difficulty with this is when people choose to engage and 101 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 4: continue to engage in violent conduct, the risk of death 102 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 4: or serious injury is very high. Now the police become 103 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:34,359 Speaker 4: frustrated when we continue to stop these disturbances for the 104 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 4: protection of the community and give undertakings that we want 105 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:40,400 Speaker 4: the violence to stop and we're happy to work with 106 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 4: the police, and then those clashes re escalate over very 107 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 4: minor things often and it's very frustrating when we go 108 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:50,839 Speaker 4: out and we respond, but we've got sufficient resources to 109 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 4: respond to it. 110 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 3: We send police out there. 111 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 4: Our police are well trained in being able to stop 112 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 4: these disturbances, So it's not like we don't have control, 113 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 4: But what we're frustrated with is the continue re emergence 114 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,600 Speaker 4: of that violence, and often over new things now that 115 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 4: you know, that have been resolved in the last clash, 116 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 4: and then they reignite. 117 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: So so what kind of things are people fighting about 118 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: out there? 119 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,719 Speaker 4: I mean some very minor things Katie, that you know 120 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 4: you would probably look at and go, why can't this 121 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 4: be resolved with proper consultation and proper talking. Now, we 122 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 4: do work with the elders and we have undertakings that 123 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:23,840 Speaker 4: people want the violence to stop, and that's encouraging, and 124 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 4: that does happen, and violence does stop for a time, 125 00:05:27,440 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 4: but it's very difficult then when somebody that's agreed to 126 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 4: stop the violence as family is involved, and then police 127 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 4: go around to try and stop that and they hide 128 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 4: family members and things. So we get frustrated at that 129 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 4: as well, and we're asking that community community to show 130 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:45,360 Speaker 4: some cultural leadership, show some leadership on the very young 131 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 4: people that are starting to emerge being involved in these 132 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:53,719 Speaker 4: conflicts and often commencing these conflicts through Facebook exchanges and 133 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 4: teasing each other. Very minor things that we'd go this 134 00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 4: should be able to be resolved with proper communication results 135 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 4: in devolving into violence and then high risks to other 136 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 4: people on the community. 137 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 1: How young are some of the young people that are 138 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 1: involved at the moment. 139 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 4: When you look at the footage, you can see some 140 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 4: very young people in that, but we're talking kids in 141 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 4: the vicinity of ten years old are out there not 142 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,919 Speaker 4: just observing, but participating in this violence and watching it. 143 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 3: And I suppose it's really scary stuff. 144 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:23,840 Speaker 4: When you're exposed to that all of the time, it 145 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 4: becomes commonplace. And we want that cycle to stop, and 146 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,159 Speaker 4: we want people to start working effectively and communicate with us. 147 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:32,839 Speaker 4: And we're happy to assist, but we're also happy to 148 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 4: send out resources and lock people up if they don't listen. 149 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 4: And when they decide to turn on the police and 150 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:39,280 Speaker 4: turn on the clinic staff and turn on people that 151 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 4: are there to serve the community, that won't be tolerated, 152 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 4: and we'll go and take action like we've done this 153 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 4: January and put people in custody if they continue to 154 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 4: behave like that. 155 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: Is there any concern that the nurses or any support 156 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: staff that are out in what are at the moment 157 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:54,600 Speaker 1: are going to need to be evacuated no Okatie. 158 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 4: So we work quite closely with other government agencies and 159 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 4: we've got good working relationships. I have great working relationship 160 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:03,360 Speaker 4: with the other sees, so we keep them informed if 161 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:08,480 Speaker 4: there's risks to their staff. Generally, obviously there's heightened fear 162 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 4: and anxiety on the community because nobody likes to see that. 163 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 4: Nobody likes to be around when that's occurring, and it 164 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 4: does put people on the community at risk. And that's 165 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 4: why we act swiftly and we de escalate that situation 166 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 4: and we resolve it at the time. 167 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 3: But what we're frustrated on is. 168 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 4: The continue re emergence of that violence off and open 169 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 4: new issues. 170 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, it would be incredibly frustrating. I mean, how many 171 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: additional police have you got out there at the moment. 172 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 4: I believe there's five or six cardently at the moment, But. 173 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 2: Is that sustainable? 174 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 4: Look what I is probably the most heavily resourced police 175 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 4: station across the Northern Territory, So we've got high numbers 176 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 4: of police. Police numbers is a difficult thing to come 177 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:51,400 Speaker 4: in on because it changes at a daily rate. We 178 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 4: have vacancies, we have people moving weekly. But we've got 179 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 4: sufficient resources within the Northern Territory to deploy resources at 180 00:07:57,920 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 4: need at what I And we're not going to leave 181 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 4: our officers out there stranded on their own without assistance 182 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 4: and back up, no. 183 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: Which is fair enough. You've got to make sure that 184 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 1: everybody's safe out there. G It's difficult though, if you've 185 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: got sort of ongoing issues that you think are being resolved, 186 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 1: you know, liaising with those community leaders and then winding 187 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 1: up in a situation where it blows back up again. 188 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 1: I really hope that things do come down a bit, Commissioner. 189 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 1: I'll move along because I know that earlier this week 190 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 1: it was flagged by the Chief Minister that the OC 191 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 1: spray trial might become permanent. Can you tell me how 192 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 1: things tracking with the OC spray from a policing perspective. 193 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, Katie. 194 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:37,120 Speaker 4: So we've been keeping a really close eye on that. 195 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 4: We are responsible for managing that project and that trial 196 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 4: as the people that obviously owned the Weapons Control Acts. 197 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 4: So we gave recommendations to government on the mechanism that 198 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,560 Speaker 4: was available to implement that trial, and we're keeping a 199 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:57,560 Speaker 4: close eye on it so that we have identified throughout 200 00:08:57,559 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 4: the trial some people that shouldn't purchase it. 201 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:01,720 Speaker 3: But yeah, people, but we've. 202 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 4: Been really successful in identifying very swiftly anybody that does 203 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 4: purchase it that shouldn't purchase it. And look, sometimes Katie, 204 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 4: that can be a mistake as well. It's not always 205 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:13,679 Speaker 4: deliberate and willful. I'm going to get it and I'm 206 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 4: not entitled to it because all the sales are recorded. 207 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:19,200 Speaker 3: And we're right on to checking all of those. 208 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 4: So so far for the trial, there's been thirty four 209 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:26,480 Speaker 4: prohibited buyers identified and we've been able to follow up 210 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:28,720 Speaker 4: very swiftly on all of those and recover all of 211 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 4: those canisters and in some instances prosecute those people if 212 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 4: we deemed that the breach was deliberate. 213 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,199 Speaker 1: And then there's only been is has there only been 214 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:39,920 Speaker 1: one misuse of the spray OC spray? 215 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 2: Is that correct? 216 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:43,200 Speaker 4: Yes, I'm only aware of one incident that occurred in 217 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 4: Darwin in a nightclub and it was used by a 218 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 4: young female against another female during a fight in the nightclub. 219 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:52,199 Speaker 4: It's important to know both people were prosecuted in relation 220 00:09:52,280 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 4: to that incident. So it wasn't used to go out 221 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 4: and commit an offense blatantly. It was as a result 222 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 4: of a fight. It was misuse. It was against the 223 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 4: exemptions available for it, and that person that used it 224 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:04,719 Speaker 4: was prosecuted. 225 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: So would you have any concern with the OC spray 226 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: becoming permanent if things continue on the way that they are. 227 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 3: No. 228 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 4: So, so far, all of our advice to government is 229 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 4: that all of the issues that were flagged as potential 230 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 4: this might happen, we haven't seen. We are quite confident 231 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 4: in recommending the implementation of this trial because other juris 232 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 4: WA's had this available for a long time and so 233 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:30,679 Speaker 4: we consulted with WA and they didn't see any significant 234 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 4: issues in relation to it. So we were comfortable in 235 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 4: making the recommendation and proceeding ahead that we're comfortable with 236 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:37,000 Speaker 4: the way it's traveling so far. 237 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 1: Now, Commissioner, I do want to ask you about the 238 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 1: crime stats. 239 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 2: I know that towards the end of last year you 240 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 2: and I caught up. 241 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 1: We had a bit of a discussion about the crime statistics. 242 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:48,680 Speaker 1: How are things tracking across the Northern territory do you think? 243 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 4: Look, Katie, I'd like to say I'm cautiously optimistic that 244 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:57,120 Speaker 4: things are on the turnaround. I've always for a long 245 00:10:57,120 --> 00:10:58,719 Speaker 4: time I've talked to you about crime stats and I 246 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 4: don't think I've ever hit behind the numbers, but what. 247 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:03,839 Speaker 1: Well, you're one of the few who was always pretty 248 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:07,559 Speaker 1: bloody honest about it, to be blunt, So yeah, I 249 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:09,960 Speaker 1: respect what you tell us when it comes to the 250 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 1: crime stats, because when they were bad, you were actually 251 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:12,839 Speaker 1: honest about it. 252 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 4: I think what's important to note, Katie, is that what 253 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 4: we're doing now is we're comparing sur pro data with 254 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:21,679 Speaker 4: sur Pro data. So for a little while there, when 255 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:24,560 Speaker 4: we intro introduced our new operating system, there was some 256 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 4: you know, reliability questions, and people were unsure if we 257 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 4: could compare apples with apples. I'm happy to say we're 258 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:33,240 Speaker 4: definitely comparing apples with apples. 259 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 3: Now. 260 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:35,959 Speaker 4: We've had sur Prow in place for over two years, 261 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:42,440 Speaker 4: and the crime stats we're comparing now directly comparable to 262 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 4: the way we've collected information for the last two years, 263 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 4: So there's no fludging of stats, there's no changing of 264 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:50,080 Speaker 4: the way that offense is reported. So when we say 265 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:52,680 Speaker 4: we've got a ten percent increase in something from last year, 266 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:56,120 Speaker 4: it's the exact same collection methodology that we've been using. 267 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 1: And so what are some of the key takeouts? Do 268 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 1: you think what are some of the areas where we 269 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:03,280 Speaker 1: need some work. What are some of the areas where 270 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 1: you feel as though things are on the improve. 271 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 4: I think consistently stats are down slightly across the Northern Territory, 272 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:13,640 Speaker 4: but it's not lost on me that there's a lot 273 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 4: of work to continue. And it's not lost on me 274 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:18,440 Speaker 4: that's because of the great work of the men and 275 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 4: women of the Lord Territory Police Force as well. They're 276 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 4: out there tirelessly driving down crime and having a high 277 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:27,960 Speaker 4: visible presence across the Northern Territory, and that needs to 278 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 4: be continued. It's also not lost on me that we 279 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,160 Speaker 4: do have some spikes and anomalies, and we just had 280 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 4: one recently in TANet Creek where we saw a really 281 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 4: significant increase in crime over the summer period in January. 282 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 4: We were flexible, we deployed quickly, We identified that really quickly. 283 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 4: The commander down in Southern Command, James gray Spence, was 284 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 4: able to he's all over his figures, Katie, and he's 285 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 4: aware of the crime stats coming through and he looked 286 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 4: at he looked at those figures and was able to 287 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:58,200 Speaker 4: react swiftly, send people and get on top of that. 288 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 4: And fortunately, thankfully we haven't had a continuation of that 289 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 4: behavior for the rest of January and into February. 290 00:13:06,280 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 1: Look, I know that you know that crime and the 291 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:11,439 Speaker 1: way you feel about your safety, it's always pretty subjective 292 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: and based on you know. 293 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:14,120 Speaker 2: What might be happening in your patch. 294 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 1: And the Productivity Commission has apparently released a report which 295 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,560 Speaker 1: claims people living in the Northern Territory have reported feeling 296 00:13:21,679 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 1: less safe despite an increased focus on crime. 297 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 2: Now we're reportedly one. 298 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 1: Of the four jurisdictions in which people feel less safe 299 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: at home alone, walking alone, and on public transport. It 300 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:38,480 Speaker 1: also found that people are not always reporting crime. Are 301 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:41,959 Speaker 1: you concerned, as the police commissioner, that some Territorians are 302 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:42,880 Speaker 1: feeling that way? 303 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 4: Yeah, very concerned, Kenny, And I'm always concerned about the 304 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 4: thoughts and feelings of Northern Territory residence. But I think 305 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 4: what's important to note about the rogstarter and that data 306 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:55,360 Speaker 4: is that we're talking about a period for greater than 307 00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 4: twelve months ago that they're reporting on, So whils important 308 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 4: for me to know those thought and perceptions in the community. 309 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 4: We've got to look at the twelve months that have 310 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:06,720 Speaker 4: just gone since that data, and I definitely think there's 311 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:09,559 Speaker 4: been an increase that can be seen and felt across 312 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 4: the community. So whilst I do take that data on 313 00:14:12,679 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 4: board and understand it and know that that was the 314 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 4: thoughts that was expressed by people in the community, We've 315 00:14:17,800 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 4: had significant progress in the last twelve months. There's been 316 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 4: significant legislative change that's given us further tools and great 317 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 4: tools to combat crime, and we're seeing that in the 318 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 4: results such as the crime stats currency. 319 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: So you reckon that report really is focused on older data. 320 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 4: I'm always cautious about reports and data and statistics because 321 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 4: they can be really helpful and successful, but they can 322 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 4: mask and hide things. And when we talk about crime stats, 323 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 4: an increase in certain crime statistical data often isn't always 324 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:51,280 Speaker 4: reflective an increase in that crime type. It can also 325 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:55,640 Speaker 4: mean an increase in trust in the police that matter 326 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 4: will be investigated. So if you look at sexual assault offenses, 327 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 4: for example, an increase in reporting of sexual assaults can 328 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 4: show an increase in people believing that something's going to 329 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 4: be done about it and it should be investigated. 330 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:08,239 Speaker 3: So whilst Roggs tells us people. 331 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:11,160 Speaker 4: Aren't or some people aren't happy to report crime, that's 332 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 4: important to me, but it's also important to analyze what's 333 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:16,320 Speaker 4: currently going on at the moment and what stats are 334 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 4: telling us at the moment. 335 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:19,640 Speaker 1: Commissioner, I know a lot of police listen to this 336 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:22,920 Speaker 1: show and someone's just messaged through I'm assuming potentially someone 337 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:25,920 Speaker 1: within the force asking how is the recruitment going for 338 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 1: the Deputy Commissioner and who's sitting in the role at 339 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 1: the moment. 340 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 4: Yes, Katie, So the recruitment for the Deputy Commissioner is underway. 341 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:38,400 Speaker 4: The job was advertised. We also had a report from 342 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:41,880 Speaker 4: Justice Allen Blow that recommended that certain policies be embedded 343 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 4: before further executive recruitment was done. So whilst that job's 344 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 4: been advertised and we have applications, we're still finalizing that 345 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 4: policy and consultation with the Commissioner for Public Employment, just 346 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 4: to make sure it's robust, transparent, covers all of the 347 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 4: recommendations from Justice Blow in his report, before we finalize 348 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:03,840 Speaker 4: that selection process. Currently, James Joseph O'Brien is the current 349 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 4: acting Deputy Commissioner. 350 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 3: I has been in that seat since Monday this week. 351 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:10,200 Speaker 2: All right, so since so has somebody just left? 352 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:11,320 Speaker 3: No? 353 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:15,120 Speaker 4: No, So executive movements are common across the senior executive 354 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 4: and from time to time we move people around for 355 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 4: development opportunities or things that are going on and that 356 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 4: so currently James Joseph is fulfilling that role. 357 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 2: Okay, and so. 358 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:28,600 Speaker 1: Somewhat so another question, why is it a commander not 359 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 1: one of the assistant commissioners who's acting in that role. 360 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 4: Well, but like I said, executive movements happen all the 361 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 4: time across the police force and that's a matter for 362 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 4: me to allocate. And we've had assistant commissioners acting as 363 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,920 Speaker 4: the commissioner previously, so there's nothing unusual in those circumstances 364 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 4: at the moment, and that's who's available and who's the 365 00:16:46,240 --> 00:16:47,520 Speaker 4: best fit for the job at the time. 366 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 1: Just on recruitment, very quickly, I know that I've been 367 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 1: online the other day and there was some recruitment coming 368 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:57,359 Speaker 1: up for South for the South Australian Police Force, obviously 369 00:16:57,400 --> 00:16:59,520 Speaker 1: trying to get people from the Northern Territory to head 370 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:03,200 Speaker 1: across there. How are we tracking are we still sort 371 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:05,280 Speaker 1: of trying to pinch police from everywhere else or are 372 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:06,640 Speaker 1: they trying to pinch ours now? 373 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:10,639 Speaker 4: Look, Katie, there's really competitive recruitment going right across the 374 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:14,399 Speaker 4: country and New Zealand and in saying that, probably internationally 375 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:19,199 Speaker 4: as well, jurisdictions are facing difficulties in attracting people that 376 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 4: want to have long careers in the police force. The 377 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:24,920 Speaker 4: demographics change slightly and people look at some people look 378 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:27,040 Speaker 4: at policing more as a job where you can get 379 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 4: some skills and move on to something else. But happy 380 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,479 Speaker 4: to say that our attention rates are really low compared 381 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 4: to what there had been historically, and we're looking really 382 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:37,440 Speaker 4: good with our numbers, but our recruitment numbers are also 383 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:39,960 Speaker 4: really good. So in the last two point five weeks 384 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:43,920 Speaker 4: we've had one hundred and four applications across all rank streams. 385 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:46,440 Speaker 4: It's important to probably give a plug to our pps 386 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 4: hos that commands Dudy in late February this year, and 387 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:52,680 Speaker 4: that's a new stream of policing that we've introduced to 388 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:54,920 Speaker 4: again work on that community confidence. It's going to be 389 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:59,040 Speaker 4: a high visibility presence in public places dealing with forward 390 00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 4: facing any social behavior and public offenses, and the community 391 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 4: should expect to see more of us out and about. 392 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:08,720 Speaker 1: Well, look, no doubt we'll hear more about those ppsos 393 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 1: as well as they sort of get underway and get 394 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:13,920 Speaker 1: into that work, Commissioner, I really appreciate your time this morning. 395 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:15,119 Speaker 1: I think we're going to try and catch up a 396 00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:16,640 Speaker 1: little bit more often this year, which. 397 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:17,360 Speaker 2: Is excellent to hear. 398 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 3: Sounds great, Katie, Thank you, thanks so much.