Senior NT police officer suspended amid inquiry into former police commissioner

A senior Northern Territory police officer has been suspended one day after the resignation of former Police Commissioner John McRoberts.

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

A senior Northern Territory police officer has been stood down as details surrounding the resignation of former Police Commissioner John McRoberts emerge.

It comes one day after Mr McRoberts resigned amid allegations he interfered with a criminal investigation.

Acting Commissioner Reece Kershaw says he suspended the senior officer to enable a thorough investigation and ensure the ongoing integrity of the force.

"The community of the Northern Territory should continue to have full confidence in the NT Police Force and its serving police officers, who keep people safe and carry out their duties diligently, effectively and with integrity," he said in a statement on Thursday.

"As the matters that led to the suspension are under investigation, NT Police will not be making any further comment at this point in time."

Mr McRoberts has denied any wrongdoing.

He resigned on Wednesday, mired by claims he interfered in an investigation into a woman with whom he had become romantically involved.

"It was put to me that there was a suggestion that I had a conflict of interest in a particular matter. I don't accept that I have a conflict of interest at all," Mr McRoberts said.

It's understood the probe into Mr McRoberts, who has more than 35 years experience as a police officer and had just begun his second term as commissioner, is linked to a relationship he had with Darwin travel agent Xana Kamitsis.

Ms Kamitsis was arrested last year after an investigation into alleged rorting of a government travel subsidy scheme.

It's unclear whether Mr McRoberts will fight the allegations against him, but he insists he did not involve himself in the case.

"I don't accept I have in any way conflicted myself, or indeed interfered with any investigation," he said.

The NT government says it moved quickly on the allegations to maintain public confidence in the police.

Mr McRoberts, who was lauded as an officer with an "outstanding career" when he was named NT's top cop in 2009 by then chief minister Paul Henderson, has also tendered his resignation as the chief of fire and emergency services.


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Source: AAP


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