Police Officer and ACPO of the Year

ACPO Michael James and NT Administrator Vicki O'Halloran

AN INSPIRING CAREER

After more than two decades serving Central Australian communities, Senior Aboriginal Community Police Officer Michael James has become a role model for those who know him.

And his ability to maintain and develop cross-cultural relationships was recognised in October when he was awarded the 2021 Aboriginal Community Police Officer Administrator’s Medal by NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran at a special ceremony in Tennant Creek. He was presented the prestigious award with his wife Nerida and four sons Faron, 32, Garry, 30, Liam, 22 and Peter, 16, by his side. S/ACPO James, who joined the NT Police Force in 1999, said he was shocked and surprised to receive the award. “It was a very special day. I was excited and a bit shocked as well. I didn’t realise people had written such nice things about me,” he said. S/ACPO James said he appreciated Commissioner Jamie Chalker and Deputy Commissioner Michael Murphy travelling to Tennant Creek to be present for the award ceremony. Born in Tennant Creek, S/ACPO James moved back to his home town in 2010 after working in Hermannsburg and has built strong relationships within the Barkly community. S/ACPO James said choosing a career as an Aboriginal Community Police Officer provided an opportunity for him – and any other future officer – to make a difference.

“If you have lived in Tennant Creek and you have grown up here and you want to be an ACPO you can find it really rewarding and help a lot of people. In Tennant Creek, they really look up to me here.” He said he had used his experience, knowledge and communication skills which includes speaking Warumungu to teach younger officers. “We pass on a lot of knowledge to them. I have known a lot of the people in the community for a long time and they look up to me and want to do what I do and build those relationships.” NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran said S/ACPO James’ ability to develop and maintain relationships across communities and within the NT Police allowed him to make a real impact as an Aboriginal Community Police Officer. In her speech at the award ceremony at the Barkly Regional Council office Ms O’Halloran said S/ACPO James’ cultural ties and knowledge played a valuable part in developing these relationships. “I have no doubt that the respect you have as a senior law man, together with your regular attendance at meetings of the Central Land Council, Barkly Regional Council and other key local organisations, ensures your ability to make a real impact as an Aboriginal Community Police Officer,” she said. “And it is clear your experience, professionalism and capability are recognised at all levels of the NT Police Force as well as across the community, with your new mentor role providing exceptional insight and support to less experienced Aboriginal Liaison Officers. “Your commitment to serving all sectors of the community, together with the breadth of operational support you provide, means you are a highly appreciated member of the Tennant Creek team.”

A CARING COLLEAGUE

A compassionate colleague who offers co-workers a shoulder to lean on during the tough challenges a career in the police can provide has been awarded the NT Police Officer of the Year Award.

Alice Springs Senior Constable Brodie Anderson, who works as the station’s Welfare Officer and helps officers throughout the Barkly and Southern Region, was presented the award at a ceremony at Government House in August. Senior Constable Anderson is the first port of call after officers have been assaulted or have responded to a confronting situation on the job. Senior Constable Anderson joined the NT Police 13 years ago and is also the NTPA chairperson for the Southern Region, providing an important role in attending to the mental health of her co-workers. NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran said the role Senior Constable Anderson played gave members “a safe space to be vulnerable, seek support and replenish those depleted resilience stores”. Ms O’Halloran said the job of keeping the Territory community safe had become a lot bigger in the past 18 months during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We want all our frontline workers to stay safe, be supported and feel strong. And that is where this year’s award recipient comes in,” she said. “A person who understands the challenges of the tri-services and offers empathy, compassion and support. Who walks alongside those facing personal and professional challenges to help them carry on. Giving fellow officers a shoulder – sometimes virtually – to cry on when things get tough. “I had the privilege of speaking to the award recipient. She is a wonderful role model who truly exemplifies what this award is about: kindness, understanding, compassion and devotion to duty.” President Paul McCue said, “It is a credit to the work undertaken by Brodie that she has received this Award. It is often the work behind the scenes that goes unnoticed which is of most importance, with both the police officer she is assisting, and their family members. "As a long-standing representative of the NTPA in the Southern Region, Brodie consistently demonstrates a commitment to the wellbeing of the membership which goes above and beyond. In her role as Wellbeing and Health Officer, she has spent numerous years putting others before herself. She does not do that for self-accolades, but to make sure there is always someone there for people in their time of need. "She is a credit to the police force, and I congratulate her on this achievement”.

Senior Constable Brodie Anderson was named the NT Police Officer of the Year. Picture: NT POLICE