NT Police Commissioner resigns amid conflict of interest allegations

The Northern Territory’s Police Commissioner has resigned as an investigation into alleged conflict of interest begins.

Northern Territory's

Northern Territory's new leader Terry Mills talks to the media for the first time after the Country Liberal Party's win in Saturday's election. At Parliament house in Darwin, August 26, 2012

The Northern Territory’s Police Commissioner has resigned as an investigation into alleged conflict of interest begins.

Commissioner John McRoberts resigned on Wednesday, amid allegations he had involved himself in a criminal investigation focused on a person he had a prior relationship with.

His conduct is now the subject of a formal investigation.

Acting Chief Minister Peter Chandler said the government had “lost confidence” in Commissioner McRoberts.

In a statement, Mr Chandler said his position had become untenable.

“The government had acted swiftly and decisively when it became aware of the matter,” he said.

“The integrity of the Commissioner of Police must be beyond reproach. The government has considered the available facts in this matter and believes that resignation is necessary to maintain public confidence in NT Police.”

Reece Kershaw has been appointed as Acting Commissioner. 

More to come.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

By Stephanie Anderson


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world