The Northern Territory's leading Aboriginal justice agency has responded to the NT Government's announcement on Tuesday of "unprecedented" support for frontline police by arguing it has the "potential for disaster."
After announcing an extension to the youth curfew in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, the NT Government unveiled the findings of an independent review into the Police Force.
Police Minister Brent Potter said more was needed to be done to support the police who do an "amazing" job.
"We will make sure Police have the tools they need to do their job and feel supported while doing it," he said, whilst arguing police are at the forefront of preventing crime, something disputed by human rights and Indigenous groups.
However, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) said the decision to recruit 200 more police staff over a four-year period had the potential for disaster, especially given accusations of over-policing against Aboriginal Territorians which has led to "unacceptably" high rates of incarceration.
"NAAJA is further concerned that this will apply significant pressure to a justice system that is already struggling with demand, evidence by Central Australian courts that have cut back sitting hours due to the sheer volume of cases and shortage of staff," the organisation said in a statement late on Tuesday.
"Any investment in policing resources must be matched with a commensurate investment in the criminal justice system, including courts and specialised legal services."
Overseen by former NT Police Association president Vince Kelly, the review into the NT police made 18 recommendations, arguing police required significant increases in resourcing due to demand being "unequivocally" at its highest level ever, as well as morale being low due to a series of public events in the last five years.
They include the current ICAC investigation into the elite Territory Response Group for a series of racist "awards", revealed during the coronial inquest into the shooting death of Indigenous man Kumanjayi Walker.
A government statement said the investment and accepting of 15 of Mr Kelly's recommendations would "come at significant cost".
"The community expects that police will have sufficient resources to be highly visible on our streets and play a greater role in crime prevention," the statement said.
NAAJA have also been critical of the curfew in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and reiterated their disappointment at its extension.
"As we said previously, the Northern Territory is facing significant challenges when it comes to crime and offending and we need evidence-based solutions with an eye on the longer term – intensive support programs, diversion, education, and related services – not knee-jerk reactions and Band-Aid policies," they said.
The extended curfew will now finish on Tuesday next week at the completion of the NT school holiday period.
