Historic Events

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The Northern Territory Police Force is the oldest institution in the Territory.

It has a rich and diverse history dating back to 1870.

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Timber Creek Police Museum - 1908 Station

The 1908 Police Station was opened as a Museum in 1988.

Railway

This text is from "A Force Apart?" by Dr Bill Wilson Railways had a small impact upon policing. During the building of the Darwin to Pine...

SA Police Tattoo

Warning: May contain images and names of Aboriginal people who have died. In 1986 South Australia hosted an International Police Tattoo...

Key dates in the history of the Northern Territory Police Force

The First Constabulary

The first police presence in the Northern Territory was the part time Rural Constabulary based at Escape Cliffs but is was disbanded along with that settlement.

The NT Police Force began as a mounted force and had horses attached to ordinary stations until the 1970s. There is still a mounted section within the Territory Support Division.

The Force Proper

The Northern Territory Police Force proper began in 1870 when South Australia Police Corporal Paul Foelsche was commissioned as Sub-Inspector of Police for Palmerston in the Northern Territory in charge of six other mounted officers.

The first police station was situated on th e current site of the Administrator's offices on The Esplanade in what is now Darwin. At that time Central Australia and North Australia were separately administered and the station at Alice Springs was first commanded by Mounted Constable Shirley. The forces expanded across the Territory and a decade after federation the Northern Territory was transferred to the Commonwealth Government. In 1931 both Central and North regions were merged and placed under the control of the Administrator in Darwin.

Post Self Government

After self government in 1978 the NT Police became a statutory authority under the control of the newly formed Northern Territory Government. It has expanded to a force of over 1000 officers to meet the demands of policing what is still considered to be the frontier of Australia. During this journey there have been many characters and stories as unique as the Territory they served.

The horses have generally been replaced with more modern transport but even with the advances in communications and equipment the Territory is a vast and challenging environment to police and the job of a Constable in the Northern Territory still has unique characteristics.

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Milestone events in the Territory

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NT Police History

1800's to 1900

1900's to 2000

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Download chronological timeline

Key dates

Manuscripts

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While the effects of war were not so dramatically felt in the NT in World War I there were a number of police who served their country and in some cases died. Visit the World War I page for more details.

The NT Police are the only police force to face direct action from a foreign enemy. Members of the Northern Territory Police served in military and civilian roles during the war. Visit the World War II page for more details.

McLaren Manuscript

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WWI & WWII

WWI and WWII

While the effects of war were not so dramatically felt in the NT in World War I there were a number of police who served their country and in some cases died. Visit the World War I page for more details.

The NT Police are the only police force to face direct action from a foreign enemy. Members of the Northern Territory Police served in military and civilian roles during the war. Visit the World War II page for more details.

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North Australia Observer Unit

North Australia Observer Unit (NAOU) - "Nackeroos" / "Curtin's Cowboys" Members of the Northern Territory Police and their trackers were...

Wartime Members

Members of the Nothern Territory Police from 1939-1945. The lines without a yellow background indicate that the member either enlisted...

Wartime Justice

Chief Justice Thomas Alexander Wells remained in Darwin after the first Bombing raid and Constable Lionel McFarland remained as his...

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Sport

Police have been involved in playing, umpiring and organising sporting activities since the inception of policing in the NT. In some cases this is part of official duty and in many other instances is part of their personal lives.

Some examples are:

Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC)
Police Boys Club
Police Rugby Club
Police Dragon Boat Racing
Police Games
Physical Training (Cadets / Recruits)
Charity Events
Umpires and Officials
Motorcycle Riding - see Primo Bonato
Horse Racing - see Harts Range Police v Bushies Race

Physical Training

Physical Training improves capability of individual members and enhances teamwork. Cadets and Recruits undertake daily physical training in addition to their studies and duties but after graduation only some specialist sections have the time allocated for physical training during duty hours.

Motorcycle Riding

Primo Bonato was also a keen motorcycle rider who competed in local events in the 1950s.

Primo Bonato was known as an exceptional hard hitter but the police ranks at the time included a number of people who were handy with the gloves such as Terry O'Brien and John Maley. At one Christmas party the entertainment was provided by allowing all comers to nominate a partner for a 3 round match providing many memories to those attending.

Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC)

The Administrator FJS Wise supported by other Darwin citizens donated labour, machinery and supplies to build a Police and Citizens Youth Club which was opened in 1952. Superintendent W.C. Littlejohn was instrumental in the clubs inception and recruited people like John Bayliss to teach gymnastics and other physical skills. There were 150 children and 300 adults involved in the opening. The club was actively supported by the local community but the building deteriorated.

RM Taylor, a local architect, designed a new premises which was built between 1962 and 1966. After Cyclone Tracey the club was not functional for two years due to lack of facilities. Lions International, the Darwin Rotary Club and the NT Government assisted in the providing a new venue and equipment.

The PCYC moved to the Peter McAulay Centre in the early 1980s where it operates today. For more about the PCYC today click this link.

Constable Bill Jacobs was involved with the running of the club in the early days.

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