The Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has resigned from the union, following pushback to his apology at Garma Festival on Saturday evening.
Commissioner Murphy apologised to Aboriginal Territorians for the past harms and injustices caused by NT Police in a speech at the festival's Bungul grounds, flanked by other senior officers, and then participated in a Yolngu ceremony of rebirth.
"I formally apologise for the hurt inflicted upon Aboriginal people, and together with my fellow officers, I commit the NT Police service to do the hard work to transform our relationship with Aboriginal Territorians for a safer community for all," he said.
"We know that we cannot change or undo the past, but together we can commit to not repeating our mistakes and the injustices."
But the following day, the NT Police Association criticised Commissioner Murphy's actions, with acting president Lisa Bayliss saying it was disappointing the Commissioner did not communicate the content and intent directly with the membership well in advance of his speech.
"It is also not the role of police to assess the success or otherwise of federal government-directed policies of Closing the Gap, the Stolen Generation and the Intervention, as the Commissioner has done," Ms Bayliss said.
“If the Commissioner is genuinely committed to achieving the goals he has outlined, it is essential that the entire agency is included in this process and fully supported in its efforts to serve the community.
Our members deserve the backing of the senior police executive, ensuring they are not unfairly overburdened with blame but rather empowered to continue their vital work for the benefit of all Territorians.
Ms Bayliss said the Commissioner's focus should include providing Indigenous employees in NT Police with better opportunities to advance and called on him to immediately implement an Aboriginal Community Police Officer (ACPO) to Constable transition career pathway.
"This would not only offer a practical solution but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to providing ACPOs with the same opportunities for advancement that the Commissioner himself has had, including the potential to rise through the ranks to one day become the Commissioner of the NT Police," she said.
On Monday evening Commissioner Murphy resigned from the union, saying the NTPA should be strong and representative of membership.
“I am incredibly disappointed by the statements made by the association late yesterday in response to my apology to Aboriginal Territorians at the Garma Festival on Saturday," he said in a statement.
“I love policing.
"I know you do too and I am proud to be your Commissioner.
“I have a vision for the future of NT Police; and in order to achieve that future, we need to be able to understand and acknowledge our history.
“Our shared mission is to serve and protect all Territorians.”
