Northern Territory Police Numbers Fudged

The Country Liberal Party Leader, Jodeen Carney today said the Chief Minister and her Government is failing to support, attract and retain Northern Territory Police. Consequently the safety of Territorians is being undermined.

If the numbers released by Police Association President Vince Kelly are correct, the Government has not only misled Territorians about the correct actual numbers of Police "on the beat”.

The Government is also set to break their election promise of 200 more by the end of this year.

"Government needs to ensure Police numbers are sustained and that the community is safe,” Ms Carney said.

If this Government was serious about Policing, it would offer Police the protection, incentives and tools they need to do their job.

"Territorians deserve to know where the Country Liberal Party stands and what we would do to immediately make our streets safer. A CLP Government would:

- Introduce mandatory minimum sentences for those who assault Police
- Rescind recent changes to the Victims of Crime Act
- Increase police car numbers in each Police sector
- Remove spin dry cycle of protective custody bringing habitual drunks to account
- Put in place specific measure to deal with juvenile on our streets

"Police need to know they are supported and feel that they have been effective in serving the Territory Community.

In Mutijulu and Numbulwar, the Police stations are not staffed by fully trained Police officers, which is putting ACPO's at risk. In Karama and Wagaman children roam the streets at night breaking into homes and smashing phone boxes.

"If the Chief Minister was serious about Policing she would put in place a strategy to keep the community safe and give Police the tools and protection they need.

"In the past 12 months, offences against a person are up 24%. Assaults are up 25%. Personal robbery is up by 90% and sexual assaults increased 11%.

"No wonder so many Territorians don't feel safe,” Ms Carney said.

2006-08-21