Commissioner says Kumanjayi Little Baby case will 'stay with you forever'

Commissioner Martin Dole addressed the Northern Territory Police Association conference in Darwin, acknowledging the challenging year faced by police officers. Among the tragedies, he highlighted the investigation into the alleged murder of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby in Alice Springs as one of the most difficult the officers had ever encountered.

The past eight months had been marked by devastating floods, unrest in remote communities, and several highway fatalities, including a crash that claimed five lives. Following the arrest of Kumanjayi's alleged killer, violent riots erupted, putting immense pressure on the police force. Commissioner Dole paid tribute to the professionalism, compassion, and resilience of the officers, investigators, and specialist units involved in the case, emphasizing that certain moments in policing stay with you forever.

Remote policing remained a significant challenge for the force, with remote communities facing issues such as inadequate housing, staffing shortages, and unreliable infrastructure. NTPA president Nathan Finn called for better support for remote police, including safe housing, adequate staffing, and incentives that recognize the demands of remote service.

The conference also addressed the issue of police watch houses being used for lengthy detention periods, placing added pressure on an already stretched workforce. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro reported a decrease in the overall attrition rate from 10.7% in 2022 to 7.1% in 2026, but stressed that more work was needed, particularly in remote areas where vacancy rates reached 60%.