Search on for boss of police union

THE search is on for the next leader of the Territory’s police union, who will represent rankand-file members reeling from the most “turbulent and challenging” period in the force’s 152-year history.

Nominations are open for the new NT Police Association president, with the ballots to start rolling in late next month.

It comes a week after NTPA president Paul McCue announced he would step down in May, ending eight years in the top union job.

In a letter to members obtained by this publication, Mr McCue said being president was “the most rewarding job” he had ever held, but acknowledged the role had come at a deep personal cost.

“Life is too short and there comes a time where family must come first,” he wrote.

“You know when the time is right, and for me, that time is now.”

At the union’s last annual conference, Mr McCue described the past three years as the most challenging period of the force’s 152-year history, with officers responding to Covid, the investigation into the shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, a spate of suicides and mental health concerns, low confidence in leadership, understaffing and burnout amid high crime rates.

It is these issues — alongside the ongoing enterprise bargaining agreement — that Mr McCue’s replacement will have to pick up once elected to the top job.

Mr McCue said the election to select his replacement would be run by an independent body, the Australian Electoral Commission.

“The NTPA Executive election is a confidential process,” he said.

The AEC said nominations opened on March 1, and would remain open until 5pm March 31. Postal voting will open by April 24, with all ballots due by 10am May 24.