TheNorthern Territory Police Force is thepolice body that has legal jurisdiction over theNorthern Territory ofAustralia. The police force has 1,552 police officers (2023-24 financial year) made up of 87 senior sergeants, 293 sergeants, 868 constables, 182 auxiliaries, and 55 Aboriginal Community Police Officers.[1] The rest of the positions are officers of commissioned rank. It also has a civilian staff working across the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services.
Police in the Northern Territory are part of a tri-service: the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services with the Commissioner of Police as the CEO of the tri-service.
The Northern Territory Police traces its roots back to the South Australian Mounted Police from 1870 when InspectorPaul Foelsche and six other police officers arrived in the Territory. A small rural constabulary (part-time force) had existed earlier but was disbanded. TheNative Police Corps was formed in 1884. Their role was mostly as a security force to protect the early inhabitants of the Northern Territory than as a police force. The current NTP came into existence in 1911. In 1931, the two Territories Central and Northern became the Northern Territory of Australia and the authority of the Commissioner of Police was established in the Administrator of the Northern Territory, in Darwin.
In December 1869, the governor commissioned Paul Foelsche, a Corporal in the SA Mounted Police stationed at Strathalbyn, to be the first sub-inspector of police at Palmerston. He sailed for Darwin soon afterwards. The police uniform then worn in the Territory was the same as that worn inSouth Australia. It consisted of a short cut-away blue serge tunic with nine regulation buttons, silver twisted cord shoulder knots, black braid on the sleeves and silver chevrons for non-commissioned officers. The riding breeches were dark blue corkscrew serge with a white stripe.
The earliest firearms used wereSnider–Enfield rifles and carbines firing a.577 calibre cartridge. Later,Martini–Henry rifles were used, andWebley revolvers were issued. Like their predecessors, the Rural Constabulary atEscape Cliffs, the first detachment of police at Palmerston had as their first responsibility the maintenance of law and order in the community.
The police were frequently engaged following the discovery of gold nearPine Creek in 1872. Stations were established atAdelaide River, Yam Creek,Pine Creek,Roper River and later atDaly River. The first police fatality occurred in 1872 when Mounted Constable Davis, a noted swimmer, disobeyed a local Standing Order and swam in the sea. He was killed by a crocodile. Darwin's first police station was constructed of poles and plaster measuring 6.1 metres (20 ft) by 3.7 metres (12 ft). The inspector lived nearby in three rooms. A small stone building with two cells was the accommodation for those in custody. These are now incorporated in the Administrator's offices on the Esplanade.
InCentral Australia the police were part of the South Australian Mounted Police. Mounted Constable Shirley was the first mounted trooper in charge at Alice Springs (first called Stuart). At one time there were two Commissioners of Police in the Northern Territory: one for the Territory ofNorth Australia and one for the Territory ofCentral Australia. In 1931, the two Territories became the Northern Territory of Australia and the authority of the Commissioner of Police was vested in theAdministrator of the Northern Territory, inDarwin.
On 1 July 1964, Clive William Graham, a police officer of long standing in the Territory, was appointed as Commissioner and the force as a whole was administered as part of the Public Service of the Northern Territory. In recent years, various cases have made national and international headlines: the end of the Petrov Affair occurred in Darwin; the 1968 month-long bush search for Larry-Boy who murdered his wife and seriously injured a stockman atElsey Station; and the 1971 attempted hijack of a plane at Alice Springs airport in which a Territory police officer, who was badly wounded, displayed great heroism. Events connected with search and rescue operations at sea, in swamps and the desert have also made the news.[3] Auxiliaries and Aboriginal Community Police Officers. The Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre in Darwin has instant contact with all stations, vehicles, aircraft and vessels and provides for the Police, Fire, Emergency Services and St John Ambulance Service.
Females were accepted as officers prior or from 1960.[4] In 1962, both male and female candidates had to be unmarried, male applicants aged 21 to 30 years of age, up to 35 years with previous police experience; yet female applicants had to be between 25 and 35 (unless previous police experience).[5] By 1970, only female candidates had to be unmarried.[6] Believed-to-be Australia's first female police motorcyclist, in April 1980, Constable Kate Vanderlaan rode a Honda 750 cc police special around Darwin.[7] She later rose to be a deputy commissioner of the force.[8]
In 1955, there were 80 police officers. As of June 2011, the number of sworn Police, Auxiliaries and Aboriginal Community Police Officers in the service was 1,381.[9]
In 1989, the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services were joined to become a Tri-Service. The Commissioner of Police also becoming the Chief Executive Officer for the Fire and Rescue Service and the Emergency Services.[citation needed]
In 2012, the colour of the police uniform changed fromkhaki toblue following a ballot in 2011 in which nearly 60% of officers voted in favour of changing the colour to blue. The roll-out of the new blue uniform, with a new design including the word "Police" displayed on the back of the shirt, started in February 2012 and finished in July 2012.[11][12]
In May 2023, commissionerJamie Chalker abruptly resigned shortly before he was due to give evidence against the NT Government.[13]
On 9 March 2025, Michael Murphy's employment as commissioner was terminated following theICAC's finding that Murphy had been engaged in a scandal that involved Murphy employing his close friend.[15] Following this announcement Martin Dole became the acting commissioner.[16]
In June 2025, the Northern Territory government announced that transit safety and public housing safety officers would become part of the NTPF known as Police Public Safety Officers (PPSO), together with police auxiliaries, with training to commence in December 2025 and the officers to be operational in early 2026.[17] PPSOs will wear NTPF uniforms and will be armed with firearms.[18][19]
Casuarina Police StationThe old Palmerston Police Station
The headquarters of the Northern Territory Police is located at NAB House onSmith Street,Darwin. The Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Services is administered from the Peter McAulay Centre inBerrimah. The Northern Territory Police maintains 63 local police stations and 5 police shopfronts coordinated by their respective Local Area Commands.[9]
A number of specialist units have been established, including theTerritory Response Group, Accident Investigation Unit, Computer Crime Unit, Drug Intelligence Unit, Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk (SAID), Indigenous Development Unit, Highway Patrol Unit, Missing Persons Unit, Remote Area Traffic Patrol Unit and Air Support Unit.
The NT Police Air Wing was formed in 1979 with bases in Darwin andAlice Springs, operating two fixed wing aircraft. The area of operation covers 1,346,200 square kilometres (332,700,000 acres), being some 1,610 kilometres (1,000 mi) north to the south and 934 kilometres (580 mi) east to the west. This around one sixth of the Australian landmass, but is very remote, having less than 200,000 residents (1% of the national population). The commonwealth government funded an extra two planes to be based in Darwin. The planes were later handed back due to lack of money.[21]
The CitySafe and Licensing Patrol Unit was forged during New Year's Eve celebrations in 2008/2009. CitySafe was officially launched by the NT Chief MinisterPaul Henderson on 25 February 2009.[22] After this was deemed a success, NT police were looking at establishing a specialist licensing enforcement unit in 2010.[23]
Officers now carry theGlock 22 or theGlock 27.40-calibre pistol for plain clothes members. Other weapons used in the Northern Territory Police include theAR-15 semi-automatic rifle which is used by specialist groups and specifically trained members in rural areas. Officers also carryRemington model 870 pump action shotgun andRemington model 700 (.308) bolt-action rifle, which is gradually replacing the older BRNO model 601 bolt-action rifles in the same calibre. The NT Police introduced the Model X-26 AdvancedTASER into operational service for General Duties members in February 2008, distributing 74 units. The X26 Taser has now been replaced with the Taser X-2.[25] as a less-lethal force option available to each frontline patrol.
Restraints used areADI Saf-Lok Mark-IV and Vhandcuffs and Flexi-cuffs. Mk-6 and Mk-9 First Defense oleoresin capsicum (OC)spray are also general issue.
The Northern Territory Police mostly use LAC response vehicles includeFord Falcon sedans,Holden VE Commodore[26] and Toyota Hilux dual cab utes as caged vehicles (4x4 and 2WD) Turbo diesel.[27] Specialist vehicles include theToyota Land Cruiser 4WD.
Highway Patrol vehicles usually consist of a combination of marked and unmarkedHolden VY SS Commodores andFord Falcon XR6II. Other specialist sections and units use a variety of police vehicles includingIsuzu trucks, and fixed wingPilatus PC-12 aeroplanes.
The Northern Territory police recently acquired Kia stingers to add to their Road Policing Command fleet.
7 November 1883, Mounted Constable John Shirley, aged 27 years from dehydration while searching for men who had murdered a man at Lawson's Creek.[30]
1 August 1933, mounted constableAlbert Stewart McColl was speared to death at Woodah Island in Arnhem Land.[30]
17 August 1948, Constable Maxwell Gilbert, aged 27 years when the vehicle he was driving overturned just north of Wauchope. He was escorting a prisoner to Alice Springs.[30]
In 1874 ConstableSamuel Gason led a punitive expedition resulting in up to 90 Aboriginal people being shot dead around Barrow Creek.[31]
In 1875 Corporal George Montagu led a punitive expedition resulting in up to 150 Aboriginal people being shot dead around the Roper River.[32]
Constable William George Stretton
In 1878 Constable William George Stretton led a punitive expedition resulting in at least 17 Aboriginal people being shot dead near the Daly River.[32]
In 1882 ConstableAugustus Lucanus and Corporal George Montagu led a punitive expedition where a number of Aboriginal people were shot dead.[33]
In August 1884 ConstableWilliam Willshire led a punitive expedition resulting in around 50 Aboriginal people being shot dead.[31]
In September 1884 Constable William Willshire shot dead at least 3 Aboriginal people.[31]
In September 1884, ex-Constable Augustus Lucanus led a punitive expedition which "dispersed" two large "mobs" of Aboriginal people.[34]
In October 1884 Corporal George Montagu led a punitive expedition resulting in around 150 Aboriginal people being shot dead.[32]
In October 1884 Constable Allan MacDonald shot dead 14 Aboriginal people.[32]
In November 1884 Constable Erwein Wurmbrand shot dead 7 Aboriginal people.[31]
In December 1884 Constable William Willshire shot dead 3 Aboriginal people.[31]
In June 1885 Constable Erwein Wurmbrand led a punitive expedition which resulted in at least 17 Aboriginal people being shot dead.
In October 1885 Constable Cornelius Power shot dead at least four Aboriginal people.[31]
In 1886 Constable William Curtis led a punitive expedition that resulted in 52 Aboriginal people being shot dead and another 12 falling to their deaths.[32][35]
In 1928 ConstableWilliam George Murray led several punitive expeditions resulting in up to 200 Aboriginal people being killed in what is known as theConiston massacre.[39][40] Constable Murray was later acquitted.[41] In 2018 the then Commissioner of NT PoliceReece Kershaw, issued an apology for the agencies involved in the massacre.[42]
In 1933 Constable Cameron Gordon Heaslop Stott tied an Aboriginal woman named Dolly to a tree and beat and starved her to death.[43]
In 1934 Constable Bill McKinnon shot dead an Aboriginal man named Yokununna.[44]
In 1980 Constable Laurence Richard Clifford shot dead Johnny Jabanardi.[45]
In 1990 Sergeant Bruce Grant shot dead a mentally-ill Aboriginal man.[46]
In 2002 Senior Constable Robert Whittington shot dead Robert Jongmin.[47]
In 2009 Constables Corey Brown and Jason Mather dragged Aboriginal man Cedric Trigger along a watch-house floor after he had fallen out of the back of their police wagon onto concrete while handcuffed and left him face-down where he died of a subdural haemorrhage.[48]
Constable William Willshire with an Aboriginal child servant
In 2012 Constable Gareth Evans dragged Aboriginal man Kwementyaye Briscoe along a watch-house floor, threw him into a counter and left him face-down on a mattress with his neck twisted against a concrete block where he died.[49][50]
In 2019 Constable Zachary Brian Rolfeshot dead Kumanjayi Walker after the teenagerstabbed Rolfe. Rolfe was later charged with murder with the prosecution arguing that only the first shot was justified and the second and third shots fired by Rolfe were excessive. Rolfe was acquitted of all charges by a jury that found Rolfe was acting in self-defence.[51] In 2025, a coronial inquest into the shooting found that Rolfe was racist, and that racism was normalised within the Alice Springs police station where he worked, and that the force had "significant hallmarks ofinstitutional racism".[52] During the inquest, grotesque examples of racism were uncovered at the force's tactical unit theTerritory Response Group.[53]
In 2025 two plain clothes police officers arrested Kumanjayi White, a 24 year old Walpri man, after he allegedly assaulted a security guard in a supermarket in Alice Springs. The plain clothes officers subdued him on the ground. Sometime later general duties officers arrived, it was then discovered that he had lost consciousness.CPR was commenced. He later died in the Alice Springs Hospital.[54][55][56]
On 17 August 1980, an infantAzaria Chamberlain and her family members were camping nearAyers Rock. It was alleged the girl was snatched away by a dingo, but for a number of reasons, the parents were extradited to the Northern Territory and their vehicle seized. The parents Michael andLindy Chamberlain were criminally charged and convicted; later overturned in 1988. A review of the forensic science section,[57] a royal commission, and several inquests were held into the police investigation and cause of Azaria's death.[58]
^abAnnual Report 2023–24(PDF) (Report). Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services. 27 September 2024. p. 16.Archived(PDF) from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved11 March 2025.
^"Advertising".The Canberra Times. Vol. 36, no. 10, 171. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 12 March 1962. p. 7. Retrieved19 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Advertising".The Canberra Times. Vol. 45, no. 12, 713. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 3 October 1970. p. 8. Retrieved19 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Policewoman".The Canberra Times. Vol. 54, no. 16, 273. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 15 April 1980. p. 12. Retrieved18 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"New NT Police uniform".The Drum - The Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Service eMagazine. Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Service. 2 February 2012. Archived fromthe original on 2 May 2013.
^"Changeover of the NT Police uniform".The Drum - The Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Service eMagazine. Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Service. 20 July 2012. Archived fromthe original on 2 May 2013.
^Walls, Jason; Atta, Grace (10 March 2025)."NT's acting police commissioner rejects call to review appointments by ousted predecessor, including his own".ABC News.Archived from the original on 11 March 2025. Retrieved11 March 2025.Martin Dole took over as acting commissioner on Saturday after Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro ordered Police Commissioner Michael Murphy to go on leave pending dismissal following his mismanagement of a conflict of interest in promoting a close friend.
^Trifonoff, Allan; Andrew, Rachel; Steenson, Tania; Nicholas, Roger; Roche, Ann M.Liquor Licensing Legislation in Australia: Police Expectations and Experiences(PDF). An examination of Liquor Licensing Legislation in Australia as at December 2010. National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction - Commissioned by the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs through the National Drug Strategy Cost Shared Funding Model.ISBN978-1-876897-45-1. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 25 October 2019. Retrieved24 October 2019.
^abcdefghijNettelbeck, Amanda; Foster, Robert (2007).In the name of the law. Kent Town: Wakefield Press.
^abcdeRoberts, Tony (2005).Frontier justice. St Lucia: UQP.
^"GOLDFIELDS OF THE NORTH".The Daily News. Vol. XLVIII, no. 16, 944. Western Australia. 23 August 1929. p. 6 (HOME FINAL EDITION). Retrieved19 March 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"GOLDFIELDS OF THE NORTH".The Daily News. Vol. XLVIII, no. 16, 942. Western Australia. 21 August 1929. p. 6 (HOME FINAL EDITION). Retrieved19 March 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"OLD TIME MEMORIES".Northern Standard. No. 42. Northern Territory, Australia. 1 June 1934. p. 3. Retrieved18 March 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Misdemeanors".The Farmer And Settler. Vol. XIII, no. 42. New South Wales, Australia. 26 June 1918. p. 4. Retrieved18 March 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^Cribbin, John (1984).The killing times. Sydney: Fontana.
Debnam, Lawrie.(1990)Men of the Northern Territory Police 1870–1914 : who they were and where they were Elizabeth, S. Aust. L. Debnam.ISBN0-949124-62-1
Northern Territory, Australia
