Commissioner’s Message

Commissioner Jamie Chalker APM

You’re all leaders regardless of rank. The community looks to us. I call on you to make our muster rooms and workplaces supportive, inclusive, inspiring and somewhere you feel proud to be. I will do everything I can to assist this to happen.

A lot has changed in 12 months but there’s been one constant: your incredible efforts to keep Territorians safe.

We’ve moved into a new phase of the fight against COVID-19. The country is opening up and with that comes increased risk, especially to our vulnerable residents.

Vaccination is our way forward. We’ve seen a small percentage of our population protest against the mandate. Our response requirement just added to our workload.

COVID will continue to keep us busy but we must be given the resources, support and time to devote to our frontline policing. We are often the only ones on the “playing field”. This will change. It has to. We are seen as all things to all people. We lead the Emergency Operations Centre. We lead the efforts to stop a cohort of the Territory’s youth committing crime and engaging in antisocial behaviour. We have bolstered our School Based Policing program. Our services, advice and assistance are sought across Territory society. The scourge of domestic violence must be a focus. So much of this is related to alcohol. Your work in shutting down secondary supply and holding to account those operators who do nothing to slow the rate of assaults is vitally important. I look forward to other agencies working with us and taking the running to allow us to concentrate on policing. A concerted approach is the only way the Territory can start solving some of our ingrained issues that so often lead to outcomes that require our attention. I have great faith in you all and what you bring to your job. In late October I visited remote stations across the length and breadth of the Territory. To a person, I encountered a group of people who were engaged with their communities. We had open and honest discussions and I look forward to more of this in 2022. You’re all leaders regardless of rank. The community looks to us. I call on you to make our muster rooms and workplaces supportive, inclusive, inspiring and somewhere you feel proud to be. I will do everything I can to assist this to happen. For those of you who are on leave over Christmas, enjoy your well-deserved break. To members who remain on duty, your service is greatly appreciated and when you do get a chance to take a holiday, have a terrific time. Happy Christmas everyone. Thank you again for all you have done, and thank you to the families that support you.