8 October 2025
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) acknowledges the report handed down last week by the Hon. Acting Justice Alan Blow following the Independent Inquiry into Senior Police Recruitment.
The NTPA believes the report has fallen well short of what was expected and anticipated by both our members and the wider Northern Territory community.
In March 2025, the NTPA met with Acting Police Commissioner Martin Dole, where both parties expressed their concerns about the announcement of the inquiry into senior police recruitment and the proposed legislation — the Police Administration Act 1978 — under which the review was to be conducted.
The NTPA wrote to the Chief Minister raising serious concerns about the limited powers granted to Justice Blow and strongly advocated for the inquiry to be conducted under the Inquiries Act 1945, which would have provided the necessary authority to compel witnesses and properly examine all allegations.
It is deeply disappointing that this request was ignored. As a result, the report contains serious allegations that could not be fully tested or resolved. Justice Blow himself acknowledged the significant limitations placed upon his inquiry.
NTPA President Nathan Finn said the restrictions of the inquiry rendered it largely ineffective and a missed opportunity to restore confidence in senior recruitment processes within the Northern Territory Police Force.
“It’s very clear that things need to change – and we’ve been saying that for a long time.
“This report could have provided much-needed answers to the serious concerns our members hold about high-level recruitment within the force. Instead, those questions remain unanswered.
“Allegations that successful applicants were provided with interview questions in advance are incredibly serious. This is exactly the kind of issue that could and should have been properly investigated had Justice Blow been given the powers we called for. The lack of transparency and accountability in this process is incredibly disappointing.
“We know we need to move forward – to begin the process of appointing a new Commissioner and addressing the significant leadership challenges currently facing our organisation.
“The NTPA hopes that the recommendations contained in the report will drive real reform in senior recruitment processes, ensuring they are transparent, accountable, and capable of restoring trust and confidence across both the police force and the broader community,” said President Finn.
The NTPA is committed to working with the Northern Territory Police Force and NT Government to implement the recommendations.
