The reputation of the Northern Territory Police took a blow when scandal engulfed its commissioner and forced his resignation, his successor concedes.
Reece Kershaw was appointed NT Commissioner of Police, Fire, and Emergency Services on Tuesday after acting in the role since January.
He stepped up when former commissioner John McRoberts stood down after allegedly involving himself in a criminal investigation into a woman he had a relationship with, all of which he denies.
Travel agent and former NT Crimestoppers chair Xana Kamitsis is facing court after she allegedly defrauded a government-subsidised pensioner travel concession scheme.
"There's no doubt we took a hit and we were wounded from it internally. We're very proud," Commissioner Kershaw told reporters.
"But we got on with the job and I think we demonstrated to the public how we can deliver" he said, citing the way two cyclones hitting the NT in one month was handled by emergency services.
Chief Minister Adam Giles himself cast a harsh light on police in February when during a challenge to his leadership, he alleged that "senior members of the police force (are) actively running a coup, or a campaign, in cahoots with some alleged politicians" and said this would be the subject of a judicial inquiry.
He has since backed down from that inquiry but the AFP have sent two officers to the NT to investigate allegations against Mr McRoberts.
Mr Kershaw said they might "possibly" seek to interview him and newly-appointed deputy Mark Payne who is the NT's longest serving police officer with 31 years in the force.
But he said that would not pose a problem: "As police we seek the truth, so the truth will be the truth. If the matter goes ahead then we'll deal with that, and if we have to attend court and give evidence we will."
Mr Giles said Mr Kershaw "is the person to lead the NT Police force going forward" and was the stand-out candidate "by a long way".
"As chief minister I get to have a loud voice" in supporting the proposed candidates, he said, and was very happy to have the two new recruits come from within NT Police rather than an interstate or international appointment.
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