Police represent the best of the Territory and everyday they put their lives on the line for all of us.
The CLP will not be committing to arbitrary police numbers. Instead, the CLP will pledge to support police and enable them to protect Territorians more effectively and efficiently.
The CLP will:
- Make Police a top priority—under a CLP Government the police portfolio will be held by the Chief Minister, ensuring that the public safety are always at the forefront of government decision-making;
- Deliver continuous police recruiting—police resourcing should be demand driven, including recruitment. Under a CLP Government, needs based police recruitment will be funded to ensure that there are enough police to fill vacant positions, particularly in Alice Springs and the Bush, as well as meet attrition rates and keep the police college appropriately skilled and resourced;
- Roll back youth justice changes—the CLP will reverse the watering down penalties for youth offenders and institute a system that ensures that each offence has a consequence, including escalating consequences for repeat offenders;
- Increase penalties for the assault and abuse of police officers—there are an average of 230 assaults on police per years, which is totally unacceptable; the CLP will send a clear deterrent message to those who assault or abuse police officers by introducing stronger and more certain consequences for the assault or abuse of police;
- Focus on remote policing—the CLP will work with the federal government for additional resources to ensure remote police stations are manned as necessary and ensure that housing and stations meet contemporary requirements; and
- Support our own—we will provide greater opportunities for promotion for Territory trained police officers in order to reward the commitment and local knowledge gained through hard work and dedication.