If you think that the Northern Territory (NT) Police have treated you unfairly, that they have broken the law or their own conduct rules, or that they have behaved inappropriately, you can make a complaint about them.

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Reporting Police
Misconduct NT

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CRIMINAL LAW
You can complain of police misconduct in the
Northern Territory to the police or the NT Ombudsman

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CRIMINAL LAW
If you think that the Northern Territory (NT) Police have treated you unfairly, that they
have broken the law or their own conduct rules, or they have behaved inappropriately,
you can make a complaint about them.
This may include instances where they have intimidated you, hurt or assaulted you,
damaged your property, treated you unreasonably, discriminated against you, or
have done anything else that was inappropriate or improper. It may also include
circumstances where you believe they have exceeded their powers, such as when
conducting a search.
Reporting police misconduct
in the NT
The preferred way for you to report police misconduct in the NT is for you to contact
the Police and attempt to resolve your concerns directly with them. You can complain
to them by:
• talking to another police officer
• going to a police station
• ringing 131 444 or
• completing the form that is available online.
If you don’t think the complaint has been adequately managed by the police, or you
are uncomfortable about reporting directly to them, you can lodge your complaint
with the NT Ombudsman.

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CRIMINAL LAW
Making a complaint about police
misconduct in the NT
When reporting police misconduct in the NT you should provide full details of what
you say happened, including:
• where and when you say it happened
• the officer’s (or officers’) full name and/or badge number if you know them and/or
their vehicle registration
• the names of any witnesses to the conduct and their contact details
• full details of any discussions that took place that are relevant
• copies of any medical or other reports and photographs of any damage or injuries
• copies of any correspondence that you have sent or received in relation to the
matter
• anything else you think might assist in the investigation of your complaint.
If you make your complaint over the phone or in person at the police station, you
should keep a record of the name and details of the person to whom you spoke and
what they say will be done about your complaint.
You should also ask for a complaint reference number.
The NT Ombudsman
The Ombudsman Act restricts the power of the NT Ombudsman to investigating
the conduct of a police officer in the exercise of a power or in the performance of
their duties as a police officer and does not include actions taken while off duty. The
Ombudsman is independent of the NT Police Force and deals with reports of police
misconduct in the NT impartially.
When you complain, you don’t have to give your name, but anonymous complaints
may be more difficult to resolve and the Ombudsman will not be able to inform you
of the result of the investigation.
The Ombudsman does not provide legal advice or act on your behalf or on behalf of
the Police.

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CRIMINAL LAW
If you are complaining on behalf of someone else, you need to show that you have
their permission to act for them. You will need to provide a written authority from the
person you are representing (unless they are under 18 years of age and your child
or legal dependant).
You can report police misconduct
in the NT to the Ombudsman:
• by completing the online form
• at their Darwin office on the 12th floor of NT House, 22 Mitchell St
• by posting your complaint to PO Box 1344, Darwin NT 0801
• by telephoning (08) 8999 1818 or 1800 806 380 by faxing (08) 8999 1828
• by emailing details of your complaint to ombudsman@nt.gov.au.
Time limits
If you have a complaint about police misconduct in the NT, it should be made at the
earliest opportunity as there are time limits for taking action against police for that
misconduct.
Under the Police Administration Act, any prosecution against a member of the
Northern Territory Police must be started within 2 months of the conduct in question,
and any action regarding a breach of discipline must be commenced within 6 months
of the conduct occurring or being discovered, unless a magistrate agrees to extend
that time.
The Ombudsman is not able to look into any complaint relating to a matter that
happened more than one year ago unless there are circumstances which are
sufficiently significant to warrant it.
If a matter is more than one year old, you will need to provide significant reasons as
to why the Ombudsman should investigate.

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CRIMINAL LAW
Handling of complaints of
police misconduct in the NT
How your complaint of police misconduct in the NT is handled depends on its
seriousness. You will usually be contacted to discuss the issue further.
Your complaint may be dealt with by simply explaining to you the law relating to the
relevant police procedure. Otherwise, the Ombudsman may:
• ask you to participate in conciliation or mediation
• direct Police Standards Command to conduct an investigation
• conduct a hearing to investigate.
The Ombudsman Act requires that both the Commissioner of Police and the
Ombudsman notify each other of the details of any complaint they receive about
police misconduct.
The Ombudsman may decide that there is a need to discipline the officer. This may
include dismissal from the police force. If a criminal offence has been committed, the
officer may also be charged and the matter dealt with by the criminal courts.

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CRIMINAL LAW
Call anytime between
7am to Midnight, 7 days on
1300 636 846
and speak direct with a
Criminal Law Lawyer to get your
police misconduct questions
answered.
You can also request a
callback at
gotocourt.com.au/criminal-law
Scan this QR code now to
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When you call the hotline
you will speak directly with a
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confidentiality and sensitivity.
At the end of the call you will
have some clarity on the steps
you need to take next and how
you can have the best chance
at an outcome that will ensure
you will attend Court armed
with knowledge and support.
Remember, you are NOT alone !
Where you go from here
depends on your own
situation. Everyone has their
own individual priorities and
demands on their life that
they need to deal with.
This information guide points
you in the right direction as
to what options might be
available to get the outcome
that you need—options that
many of our clients are not
aware of before talking to us.