The Northern Territory Police Force has sought assistance from South Australia Police, who are one of our cross-border partners.

NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy made the request of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens for assistance.

The deployment was requested to continue an increased police presence in Alice Springs and transition NT Officers out of Central Australia and back to the Top End, particularly in Katherine for Operation Oxley.

Oxley will see an increased, highly visible police presence and the creation of the Fugitive Taskforce to target high harm and high-risk offenders.

Ten SA Police officers will be sent for the first eight-day rotation and they are expected to leave Adelaide on Monday 6 January and be sworn in as officers of the Northern Territory Police Force. It is expected the deployment will end in early February.

Each South Australian officer will be partnered with an NT police officer, and be utilised for patrolling high risk locations, licensed premises and engaging with unaccompanied youth.

The officers have received full cultural awareness training, with South Australian Police having assisted Alice Springs in a similar capacity in April 2024.

Commissioner Michael Murphy said, “I have made the decision to draw our members back to their various locations to ensure policing operations are continued throughout the Top End.

“The assistance of South Australian Police will ease this process and ensure the good work we have seen in Alice Springs over the past few months is continued.

“I thank the SA Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, and the entire South Australian Police who, without hesitation, agreed to help the Northern Territory during a period of incredibly high police demand.”