NTPA June 2019 Magazine by Boo Media Pty Ltd

Police news The Independent Voice of Police in the Northern Territory

JUNE 2019

Territory Take Down How a brave NT cop came to the aid of two Victoria police officers under attack

this month:

Last Shift: farewell to Deputy Commissioner Kate Vanderlaan Christchurch Terror Attack: supporting our colleagues across the ditch From the Archives: examining the 1952 murder of Bill Condon

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New Mazda 3 Revealed Upgraded hardware and software supports a new infotainment system, ensuring better loading times, conversational voice control and a cleaner user interface. A smooth, quiet drive Previously criticised for noise and vibration, the new model employs 49 different noise and vibration reducing techniques. Sound-deadening, different seals and revised engine mounts and dampers reduce tyre and wind noise, resulting in a smoother, quieter ride. Buyers can choose two engine types, the G20 and more powerful G25, and from five model types: • Pure • Evolve • Touring • GT • Astina

Having faced stiff competition from the likes of the Hyundai i30, Toyota Corolla, Kia Cerato and Ford Focus in recent years, the next-gen Mazda 3 has been reoriented for a more premium position in the market. Reflecting customers’ moves away from the entry level model, this new offering brings luxury and safety to the forefront with a chic new exterior design and top of the line safety tech. Now included as standard are a button start, seven airbags and upgraded tech like radar-guided active cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and front and rear autonomous emergency braking. A new outward look Thanks to a sleek new headlight and grille design and a C-pillar fitted at the rear, the bold new exterior has elicited a love or hate reaction. Slightly lower and shorter than the previous model, it still fits well into the ‘small car’ category, but with a sophisticated look you’d expect for a premium buyer. All 5 options come in a range of standard colours, including ‘Snowflake White Pearl’, ‘Sonic Silver’, ‘Machine Grey’, Jet Black’, ‘Titanium Flash’ and ‘Deep Crystal Blue’. Metallics are available at an additional $495, with a choice of ‘Machine Grey metallic’, ‘Polymetal Grey metallic’ and the always popular ‘Soul Red Crystal metallic’.

18-inch alloy wheels are standard, and a subtle body kit’s also on offer with side skirts, a rear diffuser and front spoiler. A rooftop spoiler is standard on the hatch, with twin chrome exhaust standard on both hatch and sedan. A chic interior view Reflecting their new market position, all models now come with a head-up display, 8.8-inch screen, reversing camera, sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with digital radio, Bluetooth and steering wheel mounted controls. The G24 GT and G25 Astina now also boast a 12-speaker Bose stereo, but the standard eight-speaker system on the remaining grades is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Minimalist design is the order of the day in the interior, with high quality feel materials, a dark colour scheme and subtle climate and media control labelling. Cupholders have been moved and are now in front of the shifter, ushering in a longer centre armrest and a bigger console. The centre screen is also now slightly further away, allowing for a more streamlined ‘cockpit’ like feel.

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G20 models come with a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol-fired fourcylinder engine, with a choice of sixspeed manual or six-speed torqueconverter-type auto transmission. G25 models come with the current 2.5-litre petrol four, but with a low-stress cylinder deactivation system designed to reduce fuel use. All Australian models will come with front-wheel drive and are covered by a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty. The new Mazda 3 hatch is on sale now, with the sedan driving into dealerships around July. Time to upgrade? If you are interested in learning more about the new 2019 Mazda 3 range or any other vehicles, the team at Fleet Network have extensive experience in negotiating, procuring and salary packaging vehicles across Australia. Let us show you how to best use your pre-tax salary and SAVE THOUSANDS on your next new car. It’s one of the benefits of being a Police Officer. Call Fleet Network on 1300 738 601 or visit www.fleetnetwork.com.au/ntpa

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Paul McCue Phone (08) 8995 9520 www.ntpa.com.au ADVERTISER ALERT Boo Media is appointed by the Northern Territory Police Association as the authorised publisher of Northern Territory Police News. For enquiries regarding advertising in this magazine, please contact the publishers:

Contents JUNE 2019

PUBLISHER: Boo Media PTY Limited PO Box 19, Narrabeen, NSW 2101 Phone: (02) 8004 8612 Fax: (02) 8004 8611 info@boodigital.com.au ACN: 153 128 860 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS must be supplied on computer disk with hard copy (or by email to reception@ntpa.com.au) addressed to The Editor, Northern Territory Police News, GPO Box 2350, Darwin Northern Territory 0801. Northern Territory Police News is published by the Northern Territory Police Association Inc., Level 2, Suite 209 ‘Spirit on The Avenue’ 12 Salonika Street Parap NT 0820. Contents are subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Organisations which represent sworn police ofﬁcers’ industrial interests, however, may reproduce any part of the content of Northern Territory Police News without written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor. The publisher accepts no responsibility for statements made by advertisers. DISCLAIMER Boo Media (“Publisher”) advises that the contents of this publication are at the sole discretion of the Northern Territory Police Association, and the publication is offered for information purposes only. The publication has been formulated in good faith and the Publisher believes its contents to be accurate. However, the contents do not amount to a recommendation (either expressly or by implication) and should not be relied upon in lieu of speciﬁc professional advice. The Northern Territory Police Association make no representation, nor give any warranty or guarantee concerning the information provided. The Publisher disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any reader relying upon the information contained in the publication whether that loss or damage is caused by any fault or negligence on the part of the Publisher, its directors and employees. COPYRIGHT All advertisements appearing in this publication are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the consent of the owner of the copyright. ADVERTISING Advertisements in this journal are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser.

Cover photo: Constable Lucas-John O’Donoghue with his partner, Brooke and their baby daughter, Harper.

Christchurch Terror Attack

20 Farewell to Deputy Commissioner Kate Vanderlaan APM

38 Incident at the ‘Green and Cream Café’

President’s Report

Southern Field Officer’s Report

Northern Field Officer’s Report

Industrial Report

Christchurch Terror Attack

Northern Exposure

Farewell to Deputy Commissioner Kate Vanderlaan APM

Patricia Anne Brennan Award – Congratulations to Naomi Beale

Welcome Auxiliary Squad 58

Remembering Glen Huitson: 20 years on

Snap Happy: 150 years of Territory policing photo comp

Water Police rescue – Darwin

Farewell Julie Spurling

Farewell Owen Auricht

From Parliament

Incident at the 'Green and Cream Cafe: the 1952 murder of Bill Condon

Resignations & Retirements

The NT Police Association is proudly supported by:

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

REGIONAL DELEGATES ACPO

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

Chairperson Michelle Gargan Vice Chairperson Lisa Burkenhagen Secretary Rebecca Brogan Ordinary Member 1 Ellen Moore Ordinary Mem. 2 Danielle Chisholm

Chairperson Craig Barrett Vice Chairperson Warren Jackson Secretary Lauren Hill Ordinary Member 1 Janelle Tonkin Ord. Member 2 Hege Ronning-Burns

AUXILIARY

DARWIN

Chairperson James Green Vice Chairp. Vacant Secretary Sue Seears Ord. Member 1 Melissa Bridgeman Ord. Member 2 Lynette McGrath

Chairperson Michael Valladares Vice Chairperson Nicholas Carter Secretary Vacant Ord. Member 1 Vacant Ord. Member 2 Jason Conroy

BARKLY

NORTH EASTERN

Chairperson Darryl Beckmann Vice Chairperson Vacant Secretary Luke O'Connor Ord. Member 1 Vacant Ordinary Member 2 Peter Cousins

Chairperson Leighton Arnott Vice Chairperson Kim Chambers Secretary Brentley Holmes Ord. Member 1 Peter Hansen Ord. Member 2 Stephen Nalder

BERRIMAH

PALMERSTON

Chairperson Kyle Ferricks Vice Chairperson Tim Hatton Secretary Matt Allen Ordinary Member 1 Alicia Harvey Ord. Member 2 Stephen McWilliams

Chairperson Colin Quedley Vice Chairperson Steve Downie Secretary Adam Goldsmith Ordinary Member 1 Joanna Stephan Ordinary Member 2 Ben Coleman

CASUARINA

SOUTHERN

Chairperson Malcolm Marshall Vice Chairperson Anthony C. Jones Secretary Dean Elliott Ordinary Member 1 Bryan Duffy Ordinary Member 2 Vacant

Chairperson Brodie Anderson Vice Chairperson Philip Emmett Secretary Greg Burns Ordinary Member 1 Michael Court Ordinary Member 2 Adam Swift

CENTRAL

SPECIALIST SERVICES

Chairperson Matthew Ridolfi Vice Chairperson Nick Byrne Secretary Jason Dingle Ordinary Member 1 Stephen P. Jones Ordinary Member 2 John Tickner

Chairperson Neil Mellon Vice Chairperson Troy Harris Secretary Stuart Short Ord. Member 1 Mark Clemmens Ord. Member 2 Michael Budge

PAUL McCUE PRESIDENT

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

OWEN BLACKWELL

CHRIS WILSON

NTPA Office

Alyangula Station

Command Training, Alice Springs

CRISPIN GARGAN

BRETT COTTIER

VICE PRESIDENT

IAN NANKIVELL

TREASURER

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

Darwin Metro Support Division

Serious Crime

Katherine Station

JOSH CUNNINGHAM EXECUTIVE MEMBER Darwin Station

LEE MORGAN

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

LISA BAYLISS

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

Territory Duty Superintendents Professional Standards Command

Delegates as at 24 January 2019

MARK TURNER

KIERAN WELLS PATRICK 'PADDY' CARSON

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

DFU Casuarina Police Station

Major Crime

Territory Intelligence & Security Division

EXECUTIVE SUB COMMITTEE & PANELS 2018/2019 SIMONE PETERKEN FINANCE COMMITTEE

MEDAL ELIGIBILITY COMMITTEE

Treasurer Crispin Gargan (Chair, Paul McCue, Owen Blackwell, Chris Wilson, Lisa Bayliss, Matt Marshall

Crispin Gargan, Lisa Bayliss

Owen Blackwell (Chair), Brett Cottier, Lee Morgan, Mark Turner, Patrick Carson

INABILITY/DISCIPLINARY APPEALS BOARD

SELECTIONS/TRANSFER PANEL OBSERVERS COMMITTEE

Angela Stringer, Antony Deutrom, Craig Barrett, James Gray-Spence, Jason Blake, Lisa Bayliss, Michael Schumacher, Peter Dash, Stuart Short

Andrea Wyllie, Steven Langdon

Territory Intelligence & Security Division, Alice Springs

NTPA STAFF MEMBERS

TRAINING AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE Paul McCue, Andrea Wyllie, Patrick Carson

INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE Paul McCue (Chair), Owen Blackwell, Chris Wilson, Andrea Wyllie, Jakson Evans, Lee Morgan, Lisa Bayliss, Steven Langdon, Simone Peterken

UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT COMMITTEE

LEGAL ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE

WELFARE COMMITTEE

Chris Wilson (Chair), Andrea Wyllie, Brett Cottier, Ian Nankivell, Jakson Evans, Lee Morgan, Mark Turner, Patrick Carson, Terry Simpson

Paul McCue (Chair), Ian Nankivell, Lisa Bayliss, Simone Peterken, Terry Simpson

ANDREA WYLLIE

STEVEN LANGDON

PETER STOWERS

KYRRIE BLENKINSOP

Industrial Officer

Northern Field Officer

Southern Field Officer

Communications Officer

Ian Nankivell, Lee Morgan, Matt Marshall

As at May 2019

06 NT POLICE NEWS

Child Abuse Taskforce, PMC

TERRY SIMPSON

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

PROMOTIONS APPEALS BOARD Angela Stringer, Antony Deutrom, Craig Barrett, James Gray-Spence, Jason Blake, Lisa Bayliss, Michael Schumacher, Peter Dash, Stuart Short

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

TESSA PRINGLE

ZOEY KELLAWAY

Executive & Compliance Officer

Administration Officer

president's Message

president's Message The Treasurer, and Police Minister, The Honourable Nicole Manison MLA, announced the Territory budget on Tuesday 7 May 2019.

Budget 2019 The announcement of an additional $10 million dollars per annum to strengthen the police budget is welcome, given the constraints which have been placed on you over recent times. In addition to the $10 million dollars, other key announcements included: • $15.75 million to maintain recruitment of frontline officers • $12.822 million to continue to support the Alcohol Harm Minimisation Strategy, including maintaining Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspector numbers $9.79 million over four years to • modernise the police radio system • $1.4 million to expand the CCTV network • $ 4.6 million toward upgrading of essential equipment The announcement also included $42 million toward the redevelopment of John Stokes at Nightcliff, including a new police station. While this election promise appears destined to progress, it would appear to neglect the important infrastructure upgrades required in our remote locations. With federal funding toward remote policing reducing year on year, it is imperative the NT Government work urgently with the federal government with a view to obtaining a commitment to replace the numerous broken police facilities which continue to be used in our remote areas well beyond their use by date.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

In this edition of Police News, you can also read about Constable Lucas O’Donoghue from Kintore Station, who was off-duty on holiday in Melbourne, when two police officers came under attack in St. Kilda, in February.

Paul McCue President

Lucas was there while it all unfolded; and when it became clear that the officers could no longer fight back, he steppedin and helped his Victorian colleagues; and even helped catch one of the fleeing offenders, holding him until police backup arrived and took over. Lucas and his family were later invited to The Police Association of Victoria’s (TPAV) Delegates’ dinner, where he was given a standing ovation for helping his fellow officers. On behalf of the NTPA, I thank our colleagues in Victoria for this recognition, which again shows the thin blue line has no borders. Within these pages, we also say farewell to those heading into retirement or seeking new adventures and opportunities elsewhere – we wish them all well; and look forward to welcoming new members as they come through the ranks.

POLICE FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA (PFA) NATIONAL WELLBEING CAMPAIGN

at the PFA website www.pfa.org.au and proceeds go toward supporting those affected officers and their families, both serving and retired. I was also privileged to attend the recent launch of the PFA movie Dark Blue, a look into what our officers, and those across Australia are exposed to, every single day. This is an Australian first and has been developed by the PFA with the help of brave officers across every state and territory. You will also find excellent tools on the PFA website under the mental wellbeing tab, including booklets titled Head Notes, and A Cop in the Family. I encourage you to go online and view these important mental wellbeing tools. Please enjoy the June edition of the Police News.

As always, #NeverWorkAlone #SupportourCops

The PFA National Wellbeing Campaign is in full swing following the release of the song Graduation Day, written by acclaimed award-winning singer song writer, John Schumann. The song was released to high acclaim and serves to tell a story of the impacts of policing to officers and their families. The song can be downloaded JUNE 2019 07

SOUTHERN Field officer's report

NTPA Field Officers, Executives and Regional Delegates are out in the field speaking daily with copious members, providing support and advice, addressing concerns and gaining insight into positive and negative issues that impact the membership.

Peter Stowers Southern Field Officer

Supporting our members in the South

In the Field Officers department, as usual, there is always a raft of disciplinary, industrial, and housing matters that members need assistance with. A tally of the NTPA data base of contacts that I have made during this reporting period show the most prevalent issues relate to the wellbeing and welfare of our membership. This includes wellbeing and welfare checks on members who have been assaulted whilst on duty.

Spitting in particular appears to have become a common modius operandum. One case I have been dealing with involves a Darwin based member who was spat directly to his face on January 12. On the 21st of April, along with being kicked and punched he was spat in the face again. He is still waiting for blood screening test results from both incidents. It is an absolute disgrace. I myself would prefer to be punched in the face, then to have to wait up to ten weeks for the results of a blood screening test, which is what a number of our members are waiting in anticipation on.

FATIGUE AND STRESS MANAGEMENT

In my last report I touched on ‘stress’ being unduly placed on middle management and passed down to our frontline officers. Mental health issues caused by fatigue and stress are concerning. Who is responsible for ensuring that a fatigued member arrives home safety to his family after completing an exhausting extended shift? Who is responsible when a fatigued member unlawfully discharges his service firearm after incorrectly manipulating it before placing it back into his firearm locker? I have been working hard to get something out to our membership that will assist in managing fatigue and stress. The plan which also includes a small booklet has been drafted and is awaiting ratification from the NTPA President and Executive before distribution can begin.

INTERNAL MANAGEMENT NEED TO BE INFORMED AND MADE AWARE

There are not many issues that the NTPA has not dealt with before and already has an agreed position on. These are usually easy fixes that are resolved immediately without too much drama. By going externally through the NTPA, 08 NT POLICE NEWS

NTPA Field Support Visit – Willowra

management have lost the opportunity to respond. Before approaching NTPA I would encourage all members to firstly seek resolution through their immediate line manager and up through the chain of command. I do not say this to discourage members from contacting the NTPA but to ensure that management have been alerted and to allow the opportunity for the internal grievance and complaint process to work.

SORRY, I WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS

Bed in first, an old army saying from the mortar line, you have to dig in the base plate before you can return accurate fire. For whatever reason there will be times when internal resolution or response is inadequate and NTPA assistance is warranted and requested. For the NTPA to respond effectively it is important that all relevant information is provided, this includes any relating e-mail chains. It can be embarrassing when making enquires on behalf of a member to be broadsided with relevant information that you were not aware of.

CONSULTATION BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION

It is understandable that the current financial climate of the Northern Territory has dictated that hard decisions need to

done after the fact. The NTPA is ready and willing to work alongside the NTPF Executive to achieve the best outcomes for the membership.

OUR NUMBERS ARE DECLINING

Current staffing levels are critical, and it is proving more difficult to meet expectations placed upon our members. Concerns raised by our membership that relate to members working out of scope, roster management, leave tolerances and powerlessness of being unable to provide that 2nd GD’s patrol group or a dependable and timely remote relief, are just some of the disturbing indicators that prove this to be so. Recruiting is not keeping up with the current accelerated attrition rate, our numbers are progressively declining. The NTPA are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that we do not repeat the recruitment freeze debacle of the early 90’s.

NTPA Field Support Visit – Papunya

be made to return to budget. In the Act the Commissioner is charged with the Control and Management of the NTPF. In the Consent Agreement the Commissioner also has binding obligations on how to implement Management of Change. In today’s stressful fiscal environment rapid decisions are being made by the NTPF Executive without realising the full impact upon the membership. Consultation of what exactly the finished product will look like in some cases is being

SFO SUPPORT VISITS

Including the five, sometimes manned, Themis Stations there are a total of 22 Police Stations in Southern Command that I am responsible to provide NTPA support for. This is certainly a part of the job that I enjoy and look forward to. I am slowly getting around to the stations (not as quickly as I would like) but by the 5th of November 2019 I hope to be able to say that I visited each station and provided NTPA support to our remote membership on at least two occasions during the year. I have a bit of catching up to do but do not envisage any problems in achieving this.

NTPA Support Visit - Kintore

JUNE 2019 09

Northern Field officer's report

As this is my first article in the Magazine, for those that don’t know anything about me here are a few lines, so you know a little.

Steven Langdon Northern Field Officer

Welcome to our new Northern Field Officer

I started as a probationary constable for the NTPF in 2008 being posted to Alice Springs. While in General Duties (GD’s) I had the opportunity to relieve in Traffic, as well as remote relief in Kulgera, Finke, Harts Range and Arlparra. From GD’s I went into a relieving position in Crime before landing a permanent role in Major Crash (Southern Region). After several years and at the request of my wife, I headed somewhere green. As she’d only said green, I applied and was successful in going to Groote Eylandt. Again, I was lucky enough to relieve from Groote at Numbulwar and Ngukurr. Making my start here at the NTPA in February, the first time I have returned to Darwin since Graduation. During my time in Alice and on Groote I had always been an active member of the NTPA holding delegate positions in both regions such as Secretary, Chair Person and Ordinary Member. As such I come into my current role as Northern Field Officer with a sound general knowledge of the Consent Agreement (CA), Police Arbitral Tribunal Determination (PATD) and the day to day working of the NTPA office. Starting this role right at the beginning of the 2019 CA Sessions though had me really trying to catch up after a time on the sidelines due to my own Part IV discipline matter. I am thankful for the behind the scenes actions of our NTPA Executive starting back in August 2018 that lead to the CA being agreed on, rolled out, and voted on (83% Yes) all before the NT Government CRUSHED its Public service sector employees (yes, we are in that sector) with an across the board $1000 dollar a year pay rise.

We now have a solid three years for the NT economy to hopefully recover prior to the CA of 2022 having to be negotiated.

During the sessions conducted by the NTPA I got to travel and meet with many members throughout the Territory as I visited, Palmerston, Darwin, Casuarina, Katherine, Yulara, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Ali Curung, Hermannsberg, Ti Tree, Nhulunbuy and Wadeye Stations along with PMC. No sooner had the CA finished than the cancellation of the RKE’s was announced, this as you can imagine created a number of emails and calls into the office for us to return. This was all thrown in at the same time with the announcement of the Territory Relief Pool and the Territory Duty Superintendent debacle. Thus, all contributed to a large volume of calls and emails from the membership into the office keeping me busy. 10 NT POLICE NEWS

At least a date has been set for Tribunal in relation to the RKE’s, hopefully by the time of print this issue has been resolved positively. So, to those I may have missed I do apologise. I am sure now I have settled into the role I am better prepared to handle the large volume of communication raised by these types of issues along with our normal day to day business. As mentioned I have just returned to work after having a substantial stint on the sidelines including a Supreme Court appearance.

I can truly empathise with members knowing firsthand the pressures this place’s on not only the member but also the family and friends of the member as they progress through the discipline process, and continuing as you return to work. Part IV of the PAA has been spoken about for some time with the latest review taking place this year, being concluded in March. This review undertaken by Western Australian Police Force Assistant Commissioner Nick Anticich. Mr Anticich met with our President Paul McCue in March and stated that we (the NTPA) would be provided a copy of his report once it is finalised. Here’s hoping that this report comes through and action is taken to stream line the process for our members. In the meantime, if you find yourself in the situation that Part IV has been applied to you CALL our office immediately and get in touch with our Industrial Officer Andrea Wyllie. When it comes to you and your family’s welfare feel free to give me a call and I can help you while you progress through the matter, I truly can empathise with members in this position. Please remember that ESS is there to help you with Psychologists and Wellbeing and Health Officers. Early interaction with both the NTPA ands ESS can help the stress placed on YOU. As some of the matters I have listed above get resolved I look forward to travelling through the Top End to visit all the stations in the Northern Region. Please in the meantime if you have any questions that you think I can help with, don’t hesitate to get in contact with me: email, phone, carrier pigeon whatever works best for you and I will do my best to have an answer for you.

You can contact Steven Langdon directly at the office on (08) 8995 9520, mobile 0428 881 652, or via email at steven.langdon@ntpa.com.au

Industrial

Managing change and effective consultation Andrea Wyllie Industrial Officer

Management of change: Proposal to introduce a major change, advise affected members, as soon as practicable, impact on members, rationale, intended benefits, relevant information, proposed change, alternative proposals, consideration of alternative proposals, provide feedback = Effective Consultation.

This is a clear outline of the process outlined within the Northern Territory Police Force Consent Agreement regarding the Management of Change. It is enshrined within our industrial instrument to recognise that the Commissioner is bound by legislation to ensure an effective consultation process occurs when considering the implementation of a major change to the structure of the workplace, technology or the existing work practices of members taking into consideration the needs of the NTPF, its members and the broader community. It has become abhorrently clear that your Commissioner and his advisors have complete disregard for this process and are of the belief that consultation is something that can occur retrospectively after the decision has been made if you simply state out loud you are engaging in consultation with the NTPA and members of the NTPF. It is a pattern of decision making that has been taking place over the last 12- 18months which shows complete disregard for the correct process of change management and clearly does not take into effect the impact that such apparent ad-hoc decisions have on the hard working and dedicated members of the NT police force and their families.

We have seen time and time again major decisions being made behind closed doors that will have a significant impact on the way business is done within the NTPF and disappointingly these decisions are consistently being leaked out and then hastily actioned prior to any form of proper consultation taking place. An announcement is then hurriedly made to members followed by a “courtesy phone call” to your Association with the promise of an email or letter to be forthcoming in the very near future outlining the “proposed” changes and asking for feedback and “consultation” to occur. Not only has the consultation process occurred in a retrospective manner which technically means it has not occurred at all, we all know that it is just a tick the box approach to implementing a change that is going to occur regardless of how much logic is thrown at it and how many solid arguments are put forward highlighting that the change is a mistake. It appears that once the train has departed the station, the driver clearly does not

understand nor care that there is a reverse gear available to him and that the passengers that have been left stranded and confused on the platform have paid their fare and do not deserve to be ignored.

Your Association is listening to your feedback, we understand your frustration and complete dismay in the way your police force is being managed and the level of distrust many of you are feeling when it comes to the implementation of change and we are taking on the fight for you. On the other hand, it is obvious that senior management within the NTPF are completely ignoring your voice and not even paying attention to their own survey results regarding change management and the communication process. We hear you when you say you have never felt so disillusioned with your police force and how little value is being placed on the work you do, and we recognise the impact that this is having on both you and your family. Your welfare is our top priority and we will do everything we can to offer support to you and your family through these on-going tumultuous times. We agree with you when you say that some of these adhoc decisions that are being made are being put forward by individuals who have no idea on the true impact it will have on day to day policing in the NT. We acknowledge that many of you are saying the grass is definitely looking greener on the other side of anywhere but the NTPF. We understand your confusion when you are told things are going to be “fixed” when in fact they aren’t even broken, and we see very clearly that even after retrospective “consultation” occurs and nearly every single stakeholder points out that it’s not broken the decision is still made to “fix” it anyway because the driver doesn’t want to use the reverse gear and admit that he once again left the station too soon.

If you have any questions about this or any other matter, please contact me directly either at the office on (08) 8995 9520, mobile 0455 104 148, or via email andrea.wyllie@ntpa.com.au

JUNE 2019 11

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From healthy and fit to fighting your own body. Sergeant Chris McLoughlin speaks about his battle with Lymphomas “I was drawn to the police to help defend the defenceless, if you will. But I was always confident I could look after myself, especially with the training the police give you. I’d worked in indigenous communities where you’d have riot situations, and large amounts of people in heated situations and I always thought I’d be right. “I’ve only ever lost one fight and that was to my wife, which was why I married her. "But then I was bitten at work unfortunately, and the subsequent blood test resulted in me being informed that, unrelated to the bite, I had stage 4 lymphoma - and there’s no stage 5."

what’s up?’. He said ‘you’ve got lymphoma and you need to fly to Brisbane immediately’ and I thought, ‘shit that’s bad’. Lymphomas are the sixth most common form of cancer overall (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer).

Chris and his wife had to leave Mount Isa for treatment, and stayed in a 30-unit block at Leukaemia House in Brisbane’s Dutton Park. “When I was feeling poor, in that 30 bed unit I’d find 10 year old little kids with nasal gastric tubes in wheelchairs, and whenever I felt sorry for myself I’d look at these poor little kids who were doing it much, much tougher, and I’d admonish myself and say ‘mate, look at that poor kid who’s actually doing it tough; you pick yourself up and you don’t whinge about what’s going on, you see if you can help that poor kid.’ “It was a formative time for my young son; he was in grades 11 and 12 so essentially he had to look after himself in Mount Isa. He had an older brother looking after him but it’s not the same as having mum and dad home. My other son was working 12 Since being diagnosed with Lymphoma in hour shifts so it was quite difficult for him, 2015, Chris has claimed almost $65,000 in but we had to maintain the family and the benefits from his Police Health cover. family unit. Plus the costs that go with it.” “One of the things that really helped “I didn’t have any symptoms. Yes, you get through all of that was Police Health, night sweats and you get fatigued - but I’ve because I was really worried about the been a shift worker for 30 years and you’re financial cost and I’d say to my wife all the always fatigued, that’s normal, and out here time 'How much is this going to cost?' and in Mount Isa it's 44-45 degrees so you’re she just said 'don’t worry about it, you just going to sweat anyway - so I didn’t notice worry about getting better'. But the whole any changes.” time I’d be sitting there at night thinking “I went from being very healthy and very ‘how am I going to pay for all this stuff?" fit to having to fight my own body. I didn’t “Police Health were really wonderful and know how I could win that fight and that’s supportive, they were terribly transparent just been frightening for me.” and clear about what we could and couldn’t “It was only because this young fella bit do, and they covered so much of our me,” says Chris, “and he was flagged for financial burden, it was just amazing. medical issues, that I went along and had “It sounds silly but for me, as a Dad and a a disease test. I remember getting a call to provider, early on I wouldn’t tell the doctor come and see my local GP." how sick I was or in how much pain I was, “He sat across the room - he’s been our because I was trying to reduce the costs. family GP for ten years – and he was in tears So once I knew that things were covered and I thought ‘that’s a bit odd'." by Police Health, I could actually say how "I had been researching the particular much pain I was in and convalesce finally.” thing that I thought I might contract from “How do you thank that company and say the bite… and if I caught what the other ‘look, you’ve taken so much of the worry, the bloke had, apparently you lose weight financial burden out of the equation, I could which isn’t a bad thing, and I’d be a bit actually just lie there in the bed and just yellow, looking a bit jaundiced. So I thought think about getting well, and not worry that if I got bitten twice I could have had a bit I’m spending my children’s inheritance and of a tan despite being a night shift worker, my wife’s retirement fund selfishly. I’m just which wouldn’t be so bad either." getting better,” Chris says. “So I was joking with my doctor about that “Because that’s how you feel. You go, when he started to cry, and I said ‘mate, there’s X amount in the bank and this is

going to cost X amount…And as a bloke you go, that’s too selfish to spend that on myself, it’d be cheaper if I died. It wouldn’t be good, but it would be cheaper. And when you know most of the financial burden’s taken away you sit back and you go, how do I thank that person? So much of your worry has gone.” “Some people that we stayed in the accommodation with, they were up to their eyeballs in debt, and husbands and wives and children wouldn’t talk about how sick they were because they just couldn’t afford it. Some people don’t have the luxury of private health insurance so they were on waiting lists for years and some of their stories were terrible. It’s pretty sobering, and we were quite lucky.” “Many of the people in the accommodation didn’t have any family members either, so you’d go out of your way and made sure you spoke with them. You’d call them by their name every time when you saw them at an appointment, catch up with them and find out more about them and become embedded in their life. Chris tells a story about one occasion when he was having an MRI and there was another patient there who was really upset and crying and needed some comforting words. “I said ‘I don’t know what you’ve got, and you don’t know what I’ve got - but what we’ve got is time.’ Because in my capacity as a policeman, I go to road crashes all the time, and people die in my arms regularly and have done for the last 25 years, and all that they want is more time. They want to see their loved ones and they want to tell their partners and their children…and they die in your arms and saying ‘I just want more time to say…’. "So I said to this woman, the other patient, ‘love, we’ve got time…as bad as things are we’ve still got time, so we should use it wisely.’” The experience and the people Chris has met along the way have changed him by making him a better person – both personally and professionally. “As much as I like to talk myself up that I was a good person, I was flawed like any man I guess, and when I did come out and got into remission, there were opportunities that presented themselves for me to be more aware or more supportive of not only my fellow colleagues but the way I dealt with the public as well,” he says. “It’s just changed my focus, it’s not all about me anymore, it’s about all the people I work around and the people I’m lucky enough to live and love with. It’s just changed me a bit.”

Police Health Ph: 1800 603 603 www.policehealth.com.au

NZ TERROR ATTACK

Christchurch Terror Attack The terror attack which took place in Christchurch revealed many things. None more so than the bravery of our first responders, their courage to protect others, and the blatant disregard for their own safety as they went about stopping the attacker as quickly as possible.

14 NT POLICE NEWS

Flowers at a memorial site near the al-Noor Mosque

But it was also the aftermath, the horrific scenes they had to confront to piece together how such a terrible act could take place like it did. The Police Federation of Australia, on behalf of the NT Police Association and our fellow interstate associations and unions, issued the following statement of support to our New Zealand brothers and sisters and the families and friends of those who were killed: The slaughter of 50 innocent worshippers in two New Zealand mosques was one of the worst crimes our nearest neighbour has ever suffered. The dead, along with the many injured, and others who escaped the rampaging gunman, had committed no crime. They had, on a Friday afternoon, simply undertaken the same fundamental right of every Australian and New Zealander – the right to worship. And, in a civilised society, the inhumanity of inflicting death on those in the peaceful practice of their faith was unconscionable.

A source of deep regret to Australia was the revelation that the gunman was Australian. He does not, in the slightest, represent the Australian ethos, culture or values. As police, as unionists and as Australians, we thoroughly condemn him and the killings of which he is accused.

The Police Association extends its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the dead and injured. We also recognise the long and exceedingly difficult task that lies ahead for our New Zealand colleagues. Among them will be first responders, investigators, armed response officers, crime scene examiners, police media officers and others. Their efforts will be critical in establishing how this act of mass murder unfolded.

Immediate aftermath of the terror attack JUNE 2019 15

BRAVE ACTIONS

Northern Exposure How a brave NT cop came to the aid of two Melbourne police under attack in St Kilda By Brendan Roberts

16 NT POLICE NEWS

NT Constable Lucas-John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donoghue with his partner, Brooke and their baby daughter, Harper, in Melbourne, a month after his heroic efforts where he helped to arrest a man who assaulted police in St Kilda. Photo: Darren Tindale

Lucas-John O’Donoghue left the small township of Kintore, 500km west of Alice Springs, and his work there as a local copper to see Eminem in concert in Melbourne.

But a different headline-making act would shape his weekend away and remind him that even on holiday, a police officer is never really off-duty. The 26-year-old father of three touched down in Melbourne late in February, a day before the MCG concert, and met up with his brother and a group of friends from Tennant Creek. The group caught up at a hotel in St Kilda and were trying to organise a ride home when their night took an unexpected turn. “My brother wears a hearing aid and as we were walking, he lost his hearing aid in a garden bed, so we all started looking for it,” Lucas said. On the other side of Fitzroy Street a commotion piqued Lucas’ interest and his policing instincts. “I saw a police car pull up across the road from where we were and the officers got out and walked up to one of the clubs,” he said. “That’s when the person who police were trying to arrest ran out onto the road and in front of us.” Lucas’ instinct to get involved was tempered by his mates’ insistence that he shouldn’t. “(They) were telling me not to get involved because they could tell by my body language that I was moving into a position where if he came towards me, I was going to do something.” At that point the police appeared to have the situation in hand, outnumbering the offender two to one. But that advantage was soon lost as a group of people, friends of the offender, approached and suddenly set upon the two officers with a savagery rarely seen in Victoria. “As the police officer got to him in the middle of the road and was trying to arrest him, I could hear his friends making noise nearby… soon, four or five of these blokes came running out and that’s when everything lost control.” Graphic amateur footage of the incident, which would lead news bulletins later that night, showed a man bash one of the officers’ head into the pavement six times before others joined in kicking, punching and spitting on the members as they struggled on the ground. “There were 7-8 people around these officers … the police were trying to get off the ground and fight back.” “I saw a bald man standing over one of the officers and I just thought at that moment the situation was turning bad … I was also thinking do I want to involve myself and potentially be another hindrance, because they might think I’m just another person from the group.” Lucas could no longer ignore the potential danger his interstate colleagues were facing. “It reached the point where one of the police officers wasn’t getting up and I thought well if he’s not getting up and someone tries to grab his gun or something else off his belt, it could turn really bad.” “That’s when I just ran out and pretty much shirt fronted the bald man to get him away … I managed to push him far enough back to create a bit of space and I was just telling them all to leave it and move away.” He then readied himself for a possible retaliation from those he was trying to disperse.

“I jumped over a tram stop and saw that someone had tripped this guy over and restrained him by the legs, so I ran over to him and he was trying to fight the guy off, so I jumped on his back and grabbed his arms to hold him, before police arrived to take over.” “For about ten seconds I thought I was about to get into a fight as well.” Thankfully though, back up was arriving. “I started seeing the flashing lights of police cars and I thought ‘thank God’ and the police members got a chance to get up.” He too backed away from the scene and was walking back to his friends, when one of them noticed the original offender trying to flee and alerted Lucas. “I jumped over a tram stop and saw that someone had tripped this guy over and restrained him by the legs, so I ran over to him and he was trying to fight the guy off, so I jumped on his back and grabbed his arms to hold him, before police arrived to take over.” “The police were trying to pull me off the guy and then one of my friends told them that I was a cop, and they handcuffed the guy and arrested him.” With the incident quickly gaining national prominence throughout the day via the shocking phone footage captured of the attack by a passing motorist, Lucas said he developed mixed feelings about his involvement in the incident. “On one hand I did think about the fact that I have three young children at home and I had no equipment on me and I was in an unfamiliar place … but on the other hand, I was happy that I did step in and do something, so at least I could say that I tried to help.” “I just knew that something needed to happen because if one of those people took one of the police officers’ guns, then there could have been a lot of damage caused.” Several hours after the incident, Lucas was at the MCG watching what he had come to Melbourne to see, Eminem. It turned out to be a relatively sedate end to a dramatic weekend.

“I just knew that something needed to happen because if one of those people took one of the police officers’ guns, then there could have been a lot of damage caused.” JUNE 2019 17

Northern Exposure CONT'd

BRAVE ACTIONS RECOGNISED Lucas’ brave action, in coming to the aid of two Victorian colleagues in St Kilda, was honoured at The Police Association’s March Delegates’ Conference, with a certificate of recognition. It was presented to the 26-year-old, who attended the conference with his wife and four-month-old daughter, by TPAV President, John Laird. John told the audience of delegates that Lucas’ instinctive reaction was indicative of the strong bond felt by police across Australia and the world. “Intervening in these situations like this whilst offduty and in plain clothes always carries an inherent risk attached with it,” he said. “Despite those risks, NT Constable Lucas-John O’Donoghue took the initiative to assist two of our members who desperately needed help. In the moments after his intervention, he then went on to assist with the arrest of one of the offenders, some

40-50 metres down the road, securing him until other police arrived.” “With his actions, Constable Lucas-John O’Donoghue personified the universal sense of bravery and comradery that all police respect and appreciate – which knows no jurisdictional boundary.” Lucas humbly accepted the plaudit to a standing ovation, telling the room that he was grateful for the recognition and proud to have stepped in to assist the two members who were under attack. Also invited to the dinner as a mark of TPAV’s appreciation was Inspector Helen Chugg, whose team at SD1 investigated this incident, leading to the apprehension of the alleged perpetrators who were charged with a range of assault-related offences.

A mark of thanks: Lucas accepts a certificate of appreciation from TPAV on behalf of the Victorian police members he assisted on the night they were assaulted. L to R Inspector Helen Chugg, Lucas-John O’Donoghue, TPAV Secretary Wayne Gatt and TPAV President, John Laird. Photo: Toni Brient

18 NT POLICE NEWS

TODAY SHE HAD TO TAKE A DEAD BABY FROM THE MOTHER’S ARMS.

ANY WONDER SHE’S QUIET AND WITHDRAWN? Learn the signs. Watch for the signs. Put your hand up for help. Reach out to help others.

AS S O C I A TI

ICE

T H AU S T R

Last SHIFT

President Paul McCue and Kate Vanderlaan, APM

Farewell to Deputy Commissioner Katherina (Kate) Vanderlaan, APM After a 40 year career, the February 26, 2019 marked the official retirement for one of the most respected and decorated police officers in the Northern Territory. By Paul McCue

Kate Vanderlaan, APM

20 NT POLICE NEWS

Kate Vanderlaan, born and raised in the Northern Territory, joined the Northern Territory Police Force on 26 February 1979. On retirement, Kate becomes just the fifth person in Northern Territory Police history to have worked for 40 years or more in the NTPF. As a respected long serving member, Kate has significant admiration from those who worked for her and with her. Aside from the accolades, Kate genuinely had the interests of members at heart in her dealings with the NT Police Association, and decision making was generally based on what impact it would have to those who are affected, something which held her in such high regard.

That doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always mean Kate agreed with the NTPA, nor did we agree with her, but as NTPA Life member and former President, Vince Kelly APM, pointed out in a farewell note to Kate, in his mind he always felt comfortable that Kate was doing what she thought was right. In that same note, Vince also rightly pointed out that her ultimate appointment as Deputy Commissioner was acknowledgement of her professionalism, commitment and above all, loyalty to the job. Early on in her career, when stationed in the Traffic Branch in 1980, Kate became the first woman to become a motorcycle traffic police officer in Australia. This would be just

the beginning of a range of significant achievements for Kate within Policing including: • First NT police woman to reach the rank of Senior Sergeant, as Watch Commander in Alice Springs in 1992. • First NT police woman to reach the rank of Superintendent in 1997 • In 2003, she was just the second female police officer to be promoted to Commander, but the first to do it when commencing her career in the NT as a Constable • In 2016, she was the first NT Police woman to reach the rank of Deputy Commissioner Kate was never frighted to move around the NT to progress her career, earning her not just respect, but having an influence across members at locations and sections such as (just to name a few): • Prosecutions • Police College • Katherine • Alice Springs • Watch Commander in Darwin • Staff Officer Watch Commander Alice Springs • • Superintendent Southern Crime Division Kate’s respected management style soon led to her promotion as Commander where she went on to drive positive change in outcomes for reducing the disadvantage in Indigenous communities.

As outlined above, in 2016, Kate was announced as the first female Deputy Commissioner in the Northern Territory, an announcement overwhelmingly well received amongst not just her peers, but the NT Community generally. As recognition throughout her distinguished career, Kate also received: • 2010 Patricia Anne Brennan Award • Australian Police Medal • Commissioners Commendation for outstanding leadership • Commissioners Letter of recognition Kate was also a strong believer in self-development, achieving a Batchelor of Laws, Master of Public Policy – Policing, and Batchelor of Arts, together with a range of other achievements. I was privileged to attend the formal farewell for Kate hosted by the Commissioner on Friday 8 March where Kate was acknowledged by her Commissioned Officer colleagues and many dignitaries. The following night Kate hosted an informal farewell for family, friends and many colleagues at the Darwin Sailing Club, where I presented her with the NTPA wall hanging she will no doubt reflect on in the coming years after her outstanding contribution to policing for the NT community and across Australia. On behalf of all members of the NTPA, including our Life Members, thank you Kate for an outstanding career and we wish you all the very best in retirement.

JUNE 2019 21

The Faces Behind Better Banking at Police Credit Union Police Credit Union strives to deliver Better Banking and a customer experience second to none, which can’t be achieved without our amazing staff, and so, we want you to get to know the friendly faces behind that promise. Our staff are the ones helping our Members reach their financial goals, getting out into the community to make a difference and visiting our core bond Members at police stations. One face you may know is that of our Palmerston Branch Manager, Mel Burnett. She has been with us for six years and her smiling face is always a welcome sight. So, get to know Mel a little better… Q: Describe your family A: I come from a very crazy yet small family! There's my dad (Bob), my mum (Cheryl), my younger sister (Bek) and her husband (Jordan), plus my partner (Scott). Q: What is your secret hidden talent? A: I can multitask like a pro! Q: How long have you lived/worked in the area? A: I am a born and bred Territorian, so make that 30 years! Q: What do you consider to be the best product / service offered by Police Credit Union? A: I would have to say our car loans. With the low rates and no penalties to payout early, you really can’t get better than that. Q: Describe your role with Police Credit Union A: My job is a bit of everything but mainly I’m responsible for the daily operations of the branch including the coaching of staff as well as taking loan appointments to help Members achieve their goals. You’re constantly on the go, so being able to multitask is a plus. That's where my secret hidden talent comes in! Q: What is your hot tip for a tasty treat near your branch? A: If you’re happy to take a 5-10 minute drive south of our branch, then you cannot go past the Coolalinga Bakery they have the most delicious donuts! We certainly couldn't go past them when we did a recent delivery to local police stations for Valentine's Day.

Q: Describe your team / the people you work with? A: My team is a group of positive and encouraging individuals who all enjoy a good laugh. We have Claire, our main lender and then Darren and Ainslie, our Member Service Officers, along with Ella who is currently enjoying maternity leave. And, last but not least, we have Dave who has recently returned to the team as our Relationship Manager for the Northern Territory. Q: What is one funny / surprising fact you have learned about one of your team members? A: I’m going to name and shame Claire here – she really hates bananas. And when I say hates them, I mean like really detests them. Q: Any parting comments? A: If you’re from the local area come by and say hi as we settle into our new branch – we would love to meet you! Our NT staff are a charitable bunch who love their area, from volunteering at local sports clubs and schools, to helping the Northern Territory Police Legacy with their BBQs and quiz nights and sponsoring the police/NTPFES rugby team known as the Camp Dogs. Mel delivered Christmas hampers to police stations in remote areas including Katherine, Adelaide River, Pine Creek and Tenant Creek. And not forgetting Dave who has even strapped on the boots to be a last-minute ring-in for some local rugby teams. Now that you know Mel and her team a bit better, you might want to pop into our new Gateway Shopping Centre branch in Yarrawonga or perhaps Mel or Dave could visit you at your station to have a chat about how Police Credit Union can assist with some of your financial needs. Mel might even share her secret tip on how to make the best guacamole.

Q: Where do you want to travel next? A: New Zealand and Europe. Q: Your best recipe or meal you are famous for cooking? A: Contrary to what my partner says, I’m really not the best in the kitchen. In saying that though, I don’t get any complaints when I make my special guacamole. Q: Any hobbies or passion projects? A: I play as a goal shooter in netball for the Waratahs which I absolutely love because the club is so supportive and welcoming. And, you might not think it when you see me, but I am a diehard supporter of the Collingwood Football Club. I bleed black and white for those boys #MagpieArmy Q: Tell us your story… how did you end up at Police Credit Union and where did you start? A: I applied for a role with Police Credit Union when I was in a bit of a rut, I had worked in a bookshop for seven years, and was looking for something different. I hated maths as a kid and I had never worked in finance before, but the opportunity was too good to pass, so I stepped out of my comfort zone and I have never looked back!

Terms, conditions, fees, charges, lending and membership criteria apply. Full details upon request.

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AWARDS

Patricia Anne Brennan award

Congratulations to Naomi Beale

24 NT POLICE NEWS

Congratulations to Senior Constable Naomi Beale on receiving the Patricia Anne Brennan award.Â This is an outstanding recognition for her long and dedicated career in the NT!

For the last thirty years, S/C Beale has demonstrated a commitment to putting the needs of vulnerable Territorians first and foremost in her duties; and has dedicated over 20 years of this service to building community resilience. When it comes to youth engagement and approaches to school-based policing, S/C Beale's experience and knowledge is invaluable. She is committed to improving community outcomes by engaging and supporting young Territorians to help them develop into strong, confident and caring adults. Her authenticity and commitment to the wellbeing of all Territorians makes her a worthy recipient of this award - an

award that recognises an individual employee or volunteerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant contribution to women in the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services. It is named in memory of Constable First Class Patricia Brennan, a member of the Northern Territory Police Force from 1977 to 1991 and it is an award held in high esteem by NTPFES. The Patricia Anne Brennan Award was first presented to then-Superintendent Anne-Marie Murphy APM in 2007. Since then we have seen this honour awarded to serving members who have excelled and supported the development of women working for the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services.

JUNE 2019 25

AUXiliary GRADUATION

Auxiliary Squad 58

Welcome Auxiliary Squad 58 The NT Police Force has been boosted by twenty-three members following the graduation of Auxiliary Squad 58, in March 2019.

Squad

58 sees thirteen members posted to JESCC and ten to the Darwin Watch House. This year, The ‘Most Dedicated Award’ was presented to two graduates: Auxiliary Rachel SkocibusicSkultety and Auxiliary Michael Adam; who displayed outstanding dedication throughout the training course.

President Paul McCue with Auxiliaries Michael Adam and Rachel Skocibusic-Skultety

26 NT POLICE NEWS

Auxiliary Rachel Skocibusic-Skultety is from Darwin and has been posted to JESCC. “I am looking forward to commencing my policing career in JESCC. Eventually I would like to apply for Constable, then for the Dog Squad or Mounted Police. I joined the NT Police because I have a passion for helping people.” She said. Auxiliary Michael Adam was recruited from New South Wales and has been posted to the Darwin Watch House. He said, “I joined the NT Police to seek a timely new adventure, a challenging career change, job security and to be a positive role model in the community.” Twenty-one recruits were presented their badges by Commissioner Reece Kershaw APM; the other two recruits were presented their badges by serving family members. The Commissioner also presented two Letters of Recognition to members for their commendable actions in rendering assistance at a vehicle accident on the Stuart Highway in March this year; despite not having completed their training and being off-duty. Auxiliary Rrhion Oldfield, was one of the recipients; the other, from a different squad was Recruit Constable Louise Moore.

Auxiliary Rrhion Oldfield with her Letter of Recognition presented by the Commissioner

Auxiliary David Dutton with wife Probationary Constable Kylie Dutton and the Commissioner

Auxiliary Felicity Jenkins with daughter Probationary Constable Jenna Prior and the Commissioner

Recruit Constable Louise Moore receives her Letter of Recognition from the Commissioner

AUXILIARY SQUAD 58 GRADUATES • Michael Adam

• Tracy Fellows

• David Morris

• Terri Barnes

• Julie Hewett

• Louella Nish

• Bradley Bendeich

• Scott Hillas

• Rrhion Oldfield

• Caitlin Bergin

• Felicity Jenkins

• Rachel Skocibusic-Skultety

• Brooke Chellingworth

• Mark Keynes

• Belinda Stanes

• Natasha Clancy

• Samantha Machacek

• Nithin Venkatbaba

• Roger Dravida

• Jaime Mattiuzzo

• Sharmarke Yusuf

• David Dutton

• Andrew McBride

Congratulations to Auxiliary Squad 58 and welcome to the Territory Police family!

JUNE 2019 27

GLEN HUITSON

REMEMBERING GLEN HUITSON:

20 years on

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic death of Brevet Sergeant Glen Huitson. The 3rd of August 2019 falls on a Saturday; and we invite you to attend on that day at 10 am to remember and honour the sacrifice Glen made that day in the protection of his community.

Glen was born on the 20th of November 1961 at Bridgetown in Western Australia. He was killed on the 3rd of August 1999; while on duty, manning a roadblock on the Stuart Highway, outside Darwin. He was 37 years old. Following Glenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral in 1999, a large cairn with plaques was placed near the site of the shooting. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s there, that his death is commemorated each year; and now, twenty-years on, that tradition will continue.

Brevet Sergeant Glen Huitson 28 NT POLICE NEWS

The memorial where Glen's death is commemorated each year

PHOTO COMP

The NT Police Museum and Historical Society

150

Anniversary Photographic

Competition

The Northern Territory Police Museum and Historical Society Inc. is conducting a photographic competition as part of its celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Northern Territory Police Force in 2020. As part of those celebrations the Northern Territory Police Museum and Historical Society Inc. is planning to produce a book of the pictorial history of the Northern Territory Police. We are therefore looking for photographs for this book. In competition is intended to assist us in finding photographs, both historical and contemporary, for the book.

The competition will run from 1st May 2019 to 31st October 2019.

187 0

There will be a prize for the winner of each of the two classes consisting of: • Life membership of the Northern Territory Police Museum and Historical Society Inc. (value $300) • A free copy of the book when it is produced. • Guaranteed publication of your photograph (with appropriate attribution) in the book. In addition, the photograph judged best in each sub class will receive a prize consisting of: • A year’s membership of the Northern Territory Police Museum and Historical Society Inc. (value $25) • Guaranteed publication of your photograph (with appropriate attribution) in the book.

Each entry (or group of entries) must be accompanied by a completed official entry form (overleaf).Classes, Sub Classes, Entry forms and terms and conditions can be found at ntpa.com.au and click on the logo.

JUNE 2019 29

The NT Police Museum and Historical Society inc Photo competition

Your details Name: Address: Telephone: Mobile: Email: Website:

Please email or post the completed entry form and your photograph(s) to: ntpolicemuseum@bigpond.com or send to: 187 0

30 NT POLICE NEWS

Photo Competition The Northern Territory PoliceÂ Museum and Historical Society Incorporated PO Box 1595,Â Berrimah NT 0828, Australia

health WATER Police RESCUE

Water Police rescue – Darwin Northern Territory Water Police members came to the rescue of a Philippine national on February 25, 2019 when he fell ill with severe abdominal pain while aboard a vessel in outer Darwin Harbour. Words and images: NTPFES Media

Philippine national rescued from Darwin-bound Pacific Breeze after falling ill

The Water Police Section (WPS) was notified by the Joint Emergency Services Coordination Centre at 2:40pm about a medivac requirement from the Darwin-bound Pacific Breeze, a 300-metre Japanese LNG tanker. Two WPS members were tasked to a police vessel, picking up a St John Ambulance paramedic from Cullen Bay to travel with them to the patient. By 4:45pm, the emergency responders had retrieved the patient and were travelling back to Cullen Bay in rough conditions, narrowly missing a thunderstorm. The patient was transferred to paramedics at 6:30pm.

Sergeant Andrew Hocking said it was an excellent result. “Because of the size of the ship, and the urgency of the evacuation, it wasn’t possible to transfer the patient inside the shelter of Darwin Harbour,” Sgt Hocking said. “We were able to utilise the ship by using an on-board crane to lift the patient and transfer him onto the police vessel. “We were dealing with a two-metre swell and thunderstorm conditions with a storm warning for the area. Time was going against us but we managed to outrun the storm on the way out, get the male safely on board, and push through it on the way back to shore.” JUNE 2019 31

The ICAC – it's here, it's happening, and it's only a matter of time. Luke Officer, Senior Associate | Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers

Whilst the headline is a touch dramatic, there's no need to panic. I simply needed to get your attention so you understand your rights if ever ICAC knocks at your door. I was prompted to write this article following a recent media publication where the ICAC Commissioner, Ken Flemming QC, spoke of more than 100 complaints in the first 100 days of the ICAC operating – 20% of those complaints directed at NT Police. Hence this article's headline - it is only a matter of time before a territory police officer is part of an investigation, either to assist in its investigation, or the subject of a complaint. There are three important things you need to know if you become the subject of an ICAC investigation.

1. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

Everything that is ICAC is designed to have expeditious or immediate effect. It can be the execution of a search warrant over premises, or a summons to a person to attend an examination before the ICAC Commissioner. Whilst the ICAC intend to move quickly, you do have an opportunity to seek legal advice and so you should. It is important that if a search warrant is executed that you do not obstruct the execution of that warrant, however, it does not preclude you from obtaining immediate legal advice. For example, it is more than likely you may be subject to questioning from investigators and you need to know your rights as to whether you can lawfully refuse. Likewise, you may receive a written notice to attend an examination to answer questions or produce items at a certain time. At this stage you need to know your rights before attending that examination as to whether you are compulsorily required to answer questions/provide documents or whether it is a voluntary process. You are also entitled to have legal representation during any examination before the ICAC.

Exceptions can be made in certain circumstances but must always have the express written approval from the Commissioner. Further, confidentiality obligations remain on you at all times – at the time of the initial investigation, or in the lead up to an examination, and even once you have fulfilled your obligations post examination. Best treated this way – you must not say anything to anyone at anytime until or unless consented to by the Commissioner.

3. YOU HAVE RIGHTS

Despite the long arm of the ICAC and its extensive powers, you do have rights as a person either assisting the ICAC in its investigation or the person the subject of a complaint before the ICAC. It is impossible to be prescriptive about each and every right you have as it depends on the particular case and circumstances of the individual. It is perhaps best to approach the initial phases of an ICAC investigation by considering the following if it ever comes to your time: 1. Are ICAC exercising a power? 2. Have I received a written notice from the ICAC? 3. Are ICAC wanting to speak with me? If you are asking yourself either of those questions, or you become the subject of an ICAC investigation at any stage you have the very fundamental right to consult a legal practitioner for advice on what to do. It is important you contact the Association immediately (remembering you can say very little to them) to seek legal assistance. Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers has a wealth of experience in ICAC matters across South Australia and the NT, as well as the Corruption and Crime Commission in Western Australia, and is proud to offer legal services to the NTPA.

2. CONFIDENTIALITY IS THE CORNERSTONE OF ICAC

So important is confidentiality in ICAC investigations that you cannot tell anyone, aside from your legal representative or your medical practitioner if you are subject to an ICAC investigation without prior written approval from the Commissioner. Breaching the strict confidentiality provisions can result in a criminal prosecution. You cannot tell your immediate superior, you cannot tell your spouse or partner, and you are very limited in what you can say to the Police Association when you are seeking a referral for legal advice.

If you want to ensure your loved ones are taken care of, and your wishes are honoured after your death, it is vital you get legal advice. Tindall Gask Bentley offers two-for-one standard Wills* to new and expecting parents, including NTPA members. Make an appointment today by calling 8941 7814 or visit www.tgb.com.au

NTPA’s legal services provider lawyers The firm offers a full range of legal services.

Discount legal service for current financial NTPA members and their families.

Receive 20 minutes free preliminary advice on all legal matters. We also offer a 10% discount on any legal fees for:

The NTPA works in partnership with leading law firm Tindall Gask Bentley (TGB) to provide members with access to first class legal services.

• Workers Compensation, • Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation, • Family and Divorce law, • Estates and Estate Planning (including Wills), • Business and Property, • Criminal and Disciplinary.

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To book an appointment with a lawyer or for more information please contact the NTPA office 08 8995 9520 or email ntpa.tgb.legalservices@ntpa.com.au

p: (08) 8941 7814 e: ntpa.tgb.legalservices@ntpa.com.au 1/21 Cavenagh St Darwin, Darwin NT 0800 w: tgb.com.au JUNE 2019033

FAREWELLS

Farewell Julie Spurling By Executive Member Terry Simpson After 38 years of service, the longest serving member of the southern region has called time on her Policing career.

After stints in Darwin, Alice Springs, Yulara, Nhulunbuy and then back to Alice Springs, Friday the 29th March 2019 was the last working day for Julie, with Friday 29th April being the date she officially retires according to Gazette Notice 09-2019. Julie entered the Police Force as a cadet on 2nd February 1981, when policewomen wore skirts, carried handbags, had to live their working week separated from their husbands and had to resign when they got pregnant. There were a few things Julie was passionate about and I got to know them well over the last 5 years as her direct work colleague. These passions included, her family, fighting for the rights of Domestic Violence victims and the art of being an intelligence practitioner, a skill that Julie honed over the last 14 years of her career. 34 NT POLICE NEWS

She was tough when she had to be, as was displayed during two critical firearms incidents which ended up with the one offender taking his own life and the other, being shot by police.Â She was compassionate, working within the Domestic Violence area commencing in 1995 and eventually winning the Chief Ministers Award for innovation, when the DV Unit produced and distributed DV pamphlets that were translated into four local Indigenous languages relevant to Central Australia.

Julie was a pioneer, when in 1997, she was the first female recipient of the NT Police Officer of the year award.

She was dedicated to her chosen career, as displayed in her involvement as an intelligence practitioner in numerous major incidents, involving violent disturbances, protests at Pine Gap and several suspicious deaths. Julieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career was celebrated in the Alice Springs muster room and presentations made to her by long standing friends and colleagues including, Pauline Vicary, Paula DooleyMcDonnell and NTPA Vice President Chris Wilson. In her parting speech, Julie admitted that she will miss the many friends and working relations that she has made over the past 38 years but will look forward to doing what she wants to on a daily basis, including extensive overseas travel. Safe travels Julie.

Farewell Owen Auricht By Vice President Chris Wilson Owen Auricht celebrated his retirement from NT Police on 1stÂ November 2018 at Alice Springs Police Station.

Owen joined NT Police on 1stÂ September 2003 coming from a plumbing background in Alice Springs. After training, he moved straight back to Alice Springs where he honed his new trade. Owen had a passion for remote work after growing up in Ntaria and In November 2006, Owen and his family moved to Warakurna where he became the first NT Police officer to be at the multi-jurisdictional NT/WA Police Station. There he stayed until December 2008 when he took up the position of OIC Kulgera. Owen and his family made Kulgera their home for the next six years. Owen had a focus on Road Safety, forged strong partnerships in the policing of remote communities such as Finke and improved relationships with the pastoralists in the area. It was work in these areas that led to Owen being awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2011. Owen continued his involvement with the Community in the last years of his career being a Community Engagement Police Officer in the Southern Region of NT. He retired as a Senior Constable First Class. We wish him and his family well in his retirement.

Owen's wall-hanging presented by NTPA Vice President, Chris Wilson

JUNE 2019 35

From Parliament

Minister for Police Hon. Nicole Manison MLA, Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Police

Firstly, I want to thank you for your hard work across the Territory and some of the great results you have been achieving, serving and protecting Territorians.

Assaults across the Territory are at some of the lowest rates we have seen in the past five years thanks to your work. We are seeing alcohol-related admissions to emergency departments in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek experiencing significant reductions too. The work you are doing combatting alcohol-fuelled crime is saving lives and stopping life-changing injuries and trauma. So well done. As you know, I want to make sure that this good work continues and you have the resources that you need on the frontline. In my other role as the Treasurer, I recently delivered the 2019-20 Budget. It was framed in the shadows of the wind-down of the giant Inpex project and the huge hit the Territory copped, with changes to the GST that has ripped $500 million a year of Federal Government funding from the Territory budget.

36 NT POLICE NEWS

Despite those challenges, it was important to me that Government provides the Northern Territory Police Force record funding to do its job and keep Territorians safe. Budget 2019 provides an additional $10 million for Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services and continues with our plan to increase Police numbers by 120 and to deliver 75 Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors by the end of 2019. There are now 37 PALIs working at liquor outlets in Alice, 19 in Katherine and four in Tennant Creek all making a difference to alcohol-related crime, along with the Alcohol Policing Unit. There is also $9.8 million in the Budget over the next four years to the upgrade of the digital radio network. A further $26.4 million will be invested this year as part of the $45 million plan to provide a reliable, contemporary, integrated replacement for the ageing PROMIS system. As you would appreciate, these are both vital initiatives helping you do your job every day. Another $37.5 million will go towards new police stations, including the completion of the new Palmerston station, along with new facilities at Maningrida, Angurugu and Ngukurr. NTPFES is also working with Territory Housing on a $45 project which will see a new police station constructed as part of the redevelopment of John Stokes Square in Nightcliff. We are also going to have funds to continue our efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour with $6.6 million for Better Pathway Centres and short-term accommodation to get people off the streets and onto a better path in life. This is one of a suite of initiatives we are working on to get rough sleepers off the streets and into programs that

aims to keep them off the streets and out of trouble. This includes funding for the Larrakia Day Patrol and their Ambassador program to help people get back home or access to support to break the cycle of homelessness. To aid our strategy to tackle youth crime there is $70 million to progress work on contemporary youth justice centres in Greater Darwin and Alice Springs. Our new $8.24 million investment for the Back on Track program is good news for Police, because it will fund reforms to deliver additional options for dealing with young offenders. Young offenders must face consequences for their crimes, but we must also work to break the cycle of crime to stop them becoming adult offenders. Back on Track will deliver more programs across the Territory to do this, and provide more sentencing options for the courts. The first new program will be the Barkly Work Camp and work to establish this is underway. The budget also continues to rollout initiatives targeting youth crime in Alice Springs and Palmerston. I am confident Budget 2019 will give the NTPF the level of financial support needed to assist you as you go about your jobs of keeping Territorians safe. I would like to congratulate the successful delegates from the NTPA elections and look forward to meeting and working with you going forward. I am also looking forward to working with the successful winners of the Federal election to look at the remote police funding agreements with the view to secure long-term certainty and investment. Thanks again for your hard work and I will be out visiting more of you at your stations over the coming months so I can hear directly from you about what is important to you.

Shadow Police Minister We

all

know that the Territory

budget and wasteful Gunner Labor Government spending should be reined in, but the CLP Opposition has been very clear that any cuts should not, in any way, negatively affect frontline policing in the Territory. Increased crime, for whatever reason, means that there are more demands put on police and regardless of the broader budget situation, police resources should be set in line with demand.

The Opposition don’t need to tell you that policing is demand driven - when parts of society break down it is you, our police, who are there to respond rain, hail, or shine. Despite the Gunner Labor Government’s promises, it is unlikely that it will be able to reach 120 additional police given the attrition rate. If we need more police, then we need more, full stop. Those additional officers also need to be backed up with the support, equipment and powers to do your job effectively. The Opposition was extremely concerned to hear that the Senior Constable and Sergeants exam was cancelled without warning and without consultation. We have heard from numerous officers that they put in many hours of work, often taking scheduled time off to study and complete workbooks, only to have the exam axed at the last minute. That is not good enough. We are also concerned about proposed changes to the Bail Act that have been introduced by the Government for youth offenders. These changes will create a presumption in favour of bail for most

youth offenders and decriminalise breaches of bail. The Opposition is concerned that these changes will send the wrong message to offenders and further reinforce the notion that there is a lack of consequences for breaking the law.

Our economy is struggling, property crime is high across the Territory and alcohol remains a huge problem.

The Gunner Labor Government needs to take a good hard look at itself and implement policies that address these issues. We would like to see accountability for offenders, including escalating consequences, mandatory community service (cleaning graffiti, mowing seniors/pensioners lawns, cleaning up parks) for youth offenders, restitution and boot camps. The CLP Opposition fully supports our police, and we see the wonderful work you do each and every day keeping Territorians safe. We’re here to fight for you so that you can keep Territorians safe in their homes, businesses, and out enjoying our unique Territory lifestyle. Thank you for your commitment to serving and protecting our community.

Lia Finocchiaro MLA, Deputy Opposition Leader, Shadow Minister for Police

The crime, fiscal, and economic crisis currently gripping the Northern Territory is being felt by everyone, including our hard working police. The increases in crime in the past few years have meant that you are being asked to do more, more often and with less.

JUNE 2019 37

THE MURDER OF BILL CONDON

1) Point where Constable Condon was shot and killed; 2) Where Stapleton was standing when he fired at Sgt Mannion; 3) Where Sgt Mannion received a wound when the police truck was hit by Stapleton’s bullet

L to r: Constable Condon and wife Elaine; Constable Condon and wife Elaine; Sgt Mannion at the crime scene.

Incident at the ‘Green and Cream Café’ This article is an overview about the murder of a brave NT police officer, Constable William (Bill) Bryan Condon, in Katherine, in 1952. By Noel Johnson, APJ’s graphic artist The town of Katherine is located some 320 km to the south-east of Darwin in the Northern Territory. It is a thriving outback town with a population of around 10,000 people. Situated on the beautiful Katherine River, it serves an area the size of Victoria. Back in 1952, Katherine had a population of approximately 500 people. The town then consisted of a dozen or so shops, two hotels, a garage, a hospital, a theatre and a police station. The most popular place to eat in Katherine was at Mrs Peterson’s ‘Green and Cream’ café.

The officer in charge of Katherine police station was Sergeant James Joseph (Jim) Mannion.

MONDAY 9 JUNE 1952

The Queen’s birthday* weekend was celebrated with a passion in Katherine. Hundreds of visitors had come from all over the Northern Territory, thronging into town for the Monday race meeting and the Gala Race Ball which was to be held later that evening.

TERENCE CHARLES STAPLETON

Terence Charles Stapleton liked a drink! He was 22 years’ old and had made his way from Tasmania to Alice Springs, where he worked as a plant operator with the Department of Works and Housing. He was fired after having been involved in an accident with his departmental vehicle. June 1952 found him in the town of Katherine, where he became friendly with a young lady from his boarding house by the name of Sheila Peckham. 38 NT POLICE NEWS

CONSTABLE WILLIAM BRYAN CONDON

Constable William Bryan Condon was born on 24 December 1922. He had joined the Northern Territory Police Force on 18 January 1949, after having served in the Middle East and New Guinea with the A.I.F. He was stationed at Maranboy, a small town in a large tin mining area, 70 km south of Katherine. Constable “Bill” Condon had been married to his wife (Marie) for a little over a year. He had a reputation as a strong, efficient and understanding officer, who was honest and fair. He had been called in to Katherine to help out with the long-weekend crowds.

INCIDENT AT THE ‘GREEN AND CREAM CAFÉ’

Terry Stapleton spent Monday morning drinking alcohol and, in the afternoon, attended the race meeting where he continued to drink. After the last race Stapleton returned to Katherine in a cab driven by a local man named Ron Brown. On arrival back in town, Terry Stapleton met with Sheila Peckham and the pair decided to have dinner together. It

Illustration from English boys’ paper the “Eagle”,(14 April 1962)

Sgt Mannion showing where the bullet entered the door of the police vehicle; Illustration showing the shooting of Constable Condon

was 6.30pm when they entered the Green and Cream café. Stapleton went straight to the counter to place an order and, as he did, Sheila looked for a seat in the crowded café. As she was about to sit down, someone moved the chair and she fell heavily to the concrete floor. Being extremely annoyed and embarrassed, she left the café and headed home. Terry Stapleton, who was still at the counter, saw what had happened and he became very angry! He looked across at the taxi driver, Ron Brown, and turned and stormed out of the café. He quickly passed Sheila Peckham and disappeared down the street. When Sheila arrived home, she found Stapleton by his bed, taking cartridges from a bag and feeding them individually into a bandolier (a belt that holds ammunition). He also had a handgun in his belt. Hoping to calm him down, Sheila tried to diffuse the situation by suggesting, “Why don’t you have a sleep for a while?” Stapleton stared at her, before growling “Where’s my rifle?” Sheila shrugged her shoulders and said, “I don’t know”. She was beginning to become alarmed, especially when Stapleton moved round to where she was standing and put the revolver into her back. “You'd better hurry up and find it!” he hissed into her ear. Sheila found the .303 rifle on the other side of the bed and handed it to him. Sheila then suggested that she invite their neighbour (Mrs Kruger) to come over and make them a nice dinner. Stapleton roared back at her, “If you both come in here, I’ll blast the two of you!” Snatching the .303 from her, he headed to the door. Suddenly, he stopped, turned to face her, and softly said, “Don’t forget to write to my mother and explain it!”

TERROR IN A TAXI

"Tonight, blood will flow and I will go down in history” Stapleton was seated on the back seat, he placed the point of his rifle between March’s shoulder blades, just below his neck. Les March asked Stapleton why he was looking for Ron Brown. Stapleton replied that Brown was a friend of his and had driven him home from the races. At one point, as they drove around Katherine, Stapleton placed his left hand over the back of the seat and asked March to shake hands saying, “You might not be able to see me tomorrow”. March looked at him through the rear-view mirror and asked, “Why? Are you going away?” “No”, Stapleton replied, “but tonight, blood will flow and I will go down in history”. March quickly shook hands with Stapleton! After driving around for another 20 minutes, Stapleton got out of the car, saying that he would walk. He asked March how much he owed him and on being told the amount, Stapleton fumbled through his pockets for the fare. He pulled out a handful of cartridges and coins. “I can’t sort this out,” he said. “I’ll pay you tomorrow”. He then left and headed for the Green and Cream café. Leslie March drove straight to the Katherine police station and spoke to Sergeant Mannion. The sergeant had already received a telephone call from a very worried Mrs Kruger. Sergeant Mannion then followed Les March over to the Katherine Hotel, where Constable Condon was having an evening meal with his wife. Shortly afterwards, Constable Condon jumped into the cab with March and they drove off to look for Stapleton with Sergeant Mannion following the pair in the police truck.

At 6.50pm and at the local service station, which also served MURDER OF CONSTABLE CONDON as a taxi depot, Leslie March looked up to see Terry Stapleton Terry Stapleton walked in to the Green and Cream café carrying walking toward him, carrying a rifle. his rifle threateningly in both hands. The café’s customers Stapleton asked Les if Ron Brown was around. March replied stared at him in terror as he slowly looked around. Fortunately, that he had not seen him for a couple of hours. Stapleton then Ron Brown was nowhere to be seen. Stapleton was in the café demanded that Les March drive him around to look for Brown. for less than a minute before walking back out into the street. March demurred saying that he had a couple of things to do At that moment, Constable Condon and Les March were but he should be available in 15 minutes or so. “No quarter driving down Katherine Terrace. They watched as Stapleton of an hour. Now!” yelled Stapleton as he pushed the point of emerged from the café and walked slowly down the street, his rifle into Les March’s stomach. When March pushed the stopping by a hedge. barrel of the gun away, Stapleton slammed his torch down Les March pulled the taxi over. The cab’s clock showed hard on the back of Les March’s left hand and pushed the 7.50pm as Constable Conlon got out of the car. The policeman rifle back into his stomach. March realised that Stapleton was walked around the back of the vehicle and approached serious and quickly climbed into one of the four cabs. After Stapleton, who was less than two metres away. JUNE 2019 39

BILL CONDON CONT'd

L to r: Constable Tom Hollow with his prisoner Terence Stapleton; B. Condon's funeral; memorial stone erected outside the police station

Without hesitation, Terry Stapleton turned and fired his .303! Constable Condon dropped down on his left knee. The bullet had hit him in the leg. In shock the brave policeman managed to stand up. A second bullet struck him in the lower abdomen and Constable Bill Condon fell to the ground, mortally wounded. He died shortly afterwards after being admitted to Katherine Hospital. Police Constable Bill Condon had posed no threat; his gun was still in its holster and he had not spoken a word when he was cold-bloodedly shot and killed. Two bystanders ran to the aid of Constable Condon as Terry Stapleton’s attention was diverted by a car that had turned off its lights and swerved to the side of the road. Stapleton fired two shots at the vehicle, shattering the windscreen. On the opposite side of the road, Sergeant Jim Mannion pulled up in his Chevrolet ute. As he did so, Terry Stapleton raised the rifle and fired at the truck. The sergeant just had time to throw himself across the seat! Stapleton’s bullet went through the door of the truck, grazing Mannion’s thigh. Stapleton was again taking aim when Sergeant Mannion managed to pull his revolver from its holster and fire a quick shot at Stapleton, who ducked and quickly disappeared around a corner. Jim Mannion raced across to where Bill Condon lay dying on the footpath. People were now coming from everywhere to help. It was at this moment that Sergeant Mannion saw Stapleton running across the street, heading for the rail yard. Mannion ran after him but, due to his wound, couldn’t keep up and lost him in nearby bushland. A search party was quickly organised, but Stapleton had vanished. Police and civilians searched throughout the night but without success.

STAPLETON’S ARREST

Around 8am the next morning, Constable Tom Hollow from the town of Pine Creek, (93kms from Katherine) who was also in town for the holiday race meeting, set out to search for Terry Stapleton. Driving north, he saw Stapleton sitting on a concrete pipe by the roadside, some 500 metres from town. His loaded rifle and his bandolier were lying on the pipe next to him. The officer accelerated his police truck and drove straight at Stapleton and so swiftly that Stapleton had to jump up and move away without making an attempt to grab his rifle. With Stapleton offering no resistance, Constable Hollow made the arrest and drove him back to the police station. When Stapleton was searched his revolver was found tucked in at the back of his trousers. 40 NT POLICE NEWS

MEMORY LOSS

Sergeant Mannion began to question Stapleton. “What happened last night?” he asked. Stapleton shrugged his shoulders and answered, “Your guess is as good as mine”. He said that he remembered being in Katherine Terrace with a rifle, but he claimed that he did not remember shooting Constable Condon, although he said that he did remember shooting someone. Sergeant Mannion looked at him.

"Well, you were seen to shoot Bill Condon and kill him and I saw you take a deliberate shot at me as I came up in the police truck. You will be charged with the murder of Constable Condon and the attempted murder of me”.

In a statement that he made to police, Stapleton admitted that he had had a great deal to drink. He said that he remembered the chair being pulled out from under Sheila Peckham at the café and that this made him very angry. He remembered shooting off a rifle but not where or why and he could recall some incidents of the night that he spent in the bush. He said that when he came to, it was daylight and he felt quite ill and worried, otherwise he had no idea of where he went or what he did after he left the cafe.

CONSTABLE CONDON’S FUNERAL

Constable Conlon was buried in the Katherine cemetery on Wednesday 11 June 1952 (there were no refrigerated premises suitable to serve as a morgue in those days). In the short time available, police from as far away as Darwin drove in to attend the funeral. Over 200 local people packed the church. At the graveside, a very moving moment occurred when Constable Barry Tiernan sounded ‘The Last Post’ on his bugle. A plaque was made to William Condon’s memory and it was erected in front of the police station in Giles Street. His memory has also been perpetuated in the naming of Condon Street in Katherine. The Bill Condon Police Social Club in Katherine was also named in his honour. Constable William Bryan Condon was posthumously awarded the Kings Medal for his gallantry.

TRIAL AND APPEAL

The jury in the Northern Territory Supreme Court on 8 August 1952 found that Terence Charles Stapleton was guilty of the murder of Constable Condon. The court sentenced him to be

Bill Condon's Gravesite; the Bill Condon Club

hanged for his crime and he was taken to Fanny Bay Gaol to await his execution. An appeal was immediately lodged by Stapleton’s legal team, whose members objected to the trial decision on the basis that two of the jurors were Irish and as they were not British subjects, they were ineligible to serve on the jury under the Nationality and Citizenship Act (1948). The High Court upheld Terence Stapleton’s appeal shortly before he was due to be hung, even though the gallows had been built and his grave had been dug.

SECOND TRIAL

On 29 November 1952 a second trial was held. Stapleton’s defence team claimed that the original charge should not have been murder but manslaughter. Terence Stapleton, they claimed, was incapable of forming the intent to murder, as he was insane at the time of the shooting! The defence also made much of the fact that some of Stapleton’s family had suffered from mental illness. After a deliberation of 9 hours and 20 minutes, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, so a third trial was ordered.

THIRD TRIAL

would have realised at the time that his conduct was wrong (Stapleton’s lawyer, John Lyons, called Dr. Dudson, “…a halfbaked psychiatrist” during his final address). It is worth noting, at this point, the view held by Dr. S. B. Forgan, the Chief Hon-Psychiatrist from the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Dr. Forgan had examined Stapleton at Fannie Bay Gaol and he stated that Stapleton knew that, by ordinary standards, his act was wrong. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr C. Sanders, pointed out to the jury that people who may be mentally disturbed are still not to be absolved from being criminally responsible for their acts. He stressed the remark made by Terrence Stapleton to the taxi driver Les March: “Shake hands with me, Les. Tomorrow you probably won’t see me. Tonight, blood will flow – and I will make history!”

NOT GUILTY

The jury deliberated for just over an hour and a half and returned with a verdict of not guilty on the grounds of insanity. As Stapleton was deemed to be insane at the time he murdered Constable Condon, he was to be held in strict custody at the Fanny Bay Gaol awaiting the Governor General’s pleasure. This would normally mean that he would spend the rest of his life in prison. With the closure of the Fanny Bay Gaol in 1954, Terrence Stapleton was sent to serve out his sentence in Victoria’s Pentridge Prison. Had the original sentence been carried out, Terence Stapleton would have been the last person to have been executed in the Northern Territory. According to the limited information available, Terence Charles Stapleton was probably released from gaol after serving a total of eight years. He may have died as recently as the early part of this century.

IN MEMORY

On 6 May 1953, a third trial was held with John Lyons, the ‘The death this week of Constable William Brian Condon while defence lawyer, claiming that Stapleton did not have any motive in the course of his duty serves to underline the risks that to intentionally kill Constable Condon. He reiterated that are part of the everyday life of a policeman – whether in the Stapleton had been drinking quite heavily that day and that Territory or any other part of Australia. While a police officer it was the alcohol that set off his peculiar mental state which, knows the chances he takes when he accepts the job, it does in turn, made him irresponsible for his acts. The M’Naghten not lessen his courage in undertaking work that is usually (pronounced “McNaughton”) rule for the defence of insanity in arduous, often dangerous – and not particularly well paid’. the case of murder was called upon. The M’Naghten rule states in part: ‘…that to establish a defence Northern Standard (Darwin, NT), Friday 13 June 1952, p.4. APJ on the ground of insanity, it must be clearly proved that, at the Acknowledgements time of committing the act, the party accused was labouring The National Library of Australia’s research facility: ‘Trove’ under such a defect of reason, from disease of the mind, as not The Northern Standard (Darwin, NT) and other to know the nature and quality of the act he was doing; or if he newspapers of the time did know it, that he did not know he was doing what was wrong’. A special thankyou, to David and the staff of the “Northern The main witness for the defence, psychiatrist Dr. Charles Territory Police Museum and Historical Society” for their Brothers (Deputy Chairman of the Victorian Mental Hygiene invaluable help. Many of the photographs in this story were Authority), said that it was his belief that Stapleton really had no taken by Sergeant James “Jim“ Mannion and are to be idea at the time of the shooting that he was doing anything wrong. found in the Web Album of the “Northern Territory Police This is in direct opposition to the evidence given at the first Museum and Historical Society” in the “Mannion files”. trial by Dr. Dudson, who was the Medical Officer in charge of And to APJ Deputy editor Barry Fay, for his help and the Sunbury Mental Hospital in Victoria and who had, for a editorial skills. short time, worked at the Hobart Hospital under Dr. Brothers. Dr. Dudson had examined Terrence Stapleton the morning after the murder. He said that, in his opinion, Stapleton Photos by Jim” Mannion and NT Police Museum & Historical Society JUNE 2019 41

membeR Update

NTPA Gift Shop

Resignations and Retirements Resignations

Rank

Date

Bound, Peter Charles

Senior Constable

31/1/19

• Keychain bottle openers

Nazareth, Sunil Basil

Constable First Class

6/2/19

• Leather compendiums

Hockey, Nicholas Andrew-John

Constable

14/2/19

Whiteside, Steven Gregory

Constable First Class

13/2/19

Millar, Leonie

Senior Auxiliary

18/2/19

Korenstra, Michael Steven

Senior Constable

25/2/19

Dole, Trent Mitchell

Constable First Class

26/2/19

Bird, Leanne Jane

Constable

18/3/19

Conroy, Jason Alan

Senior Constable First Class

10/3/19

Davies, Gareth Thomas

Constable

18/3/19

Gunn, Christopher James

Constable

13/3/19

McCormack, Craig Rex

Senior Constable First Class

13/3/19

Blanchard, Shane Andrew

Constable First Class

21/3/19

Holcroft, Helen Louise

Constable

26/3/19

Monda, Stephanie Joanne

Constable

3/4/19

Sheehan, Zachary William

Senior Constable First Class

31/3/19

Sheehan, Pia

Senior Constable

31/3/19

Baker, Anthony Lancelott

Aboriginal Community Police Officer First Class

27/3/19

McGill, Stewart Graham

Auxiliary

28/3/19

Nevins, Samantha Jane

Auxiliary

24/3/19

Harris, Kelly James

Sergeant

11/4/19

Wilton, Paul Norman

Sergeant

12/4/19

Pedron, Isabella

Auxiliary

14/4/19

Loughman, Kellie Ann

Sergeant

5/5/19

Khan, Kamran

Recruit Auxiliary

2/5/19

Retirements

Rank

Date

Spurling, Julie Anne

Senior Constable

29/4/19

• NTPA and NTPF Cufflinks

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Call the office

08 8995 9520

or come into our store at

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Changed your address? Please let the NTPA know if you change address or contact details. Email: reception@ntpa.com.au or telephone 08 8995 9520

42 NT POLICE NEWS

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NORTHERN TERRITORY

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