Jamie Chalker, a former police commissioner, and the Northern Territory government have struck a confidential settlement, putting an end to weeks of rumors about his future as the top cop.
Weeks after media reports suggested the former commissioner had been asked to quit by the government, it was revealed in a joint press release from the NT government and Mr. Chalker that he had officially retired from his job.
According to the announcement, “The administrator has accepted Mr. Chalker’s application to retire from the position of police commissioner.”
A police commissioner may only resign under specific conditions, as per the NT Police Administration Act.
When the NT administrator is convinced that “by reason of illness or other incapacity he is unable to discharge the duties of his position,” which Mr. Chalker has not done, or when the person reaches the age of 55 (which Mr. Chalker has not).
The agreement was reached a day before Mr. Chalker’s attorneys were scheduled to submit their testimony to the Northern Territory Supreme Court in a case in which Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and Police Minister Kate Worden would have faced cross-examination.
According to the joint statement, Mr. Chalker and the government were both “bound by confidentiality obligations” so the settlement amount was not made public.
This November, Mr. Chalker’s four-year term was set to expire.
