The new Northern Territory Police Association president has criticised alleged government failures.

In an address at the annual Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) conference in Darwin, newly-elected President Nathan Finn took the opportunity to voice his concerns about the Northern Territory government's policies and their impact on frontline officers.

Finn, who assumed the role in May, emphasised the urgent need for change and denounced the government's handling of crucial matters.

Addressing a gathering of over 60 senior officers, including NT Police Minister Kate Worden, Finn reportedly pulled no punches as he criticised what he deemed “fundamental errors” in government policies, leading to a “breaking point” for the police force.

One of his criticisms was directed at the government's decision to ban spit hoods, citing concerns raised by the Human Rights Commission about the potential risks of injury or death. 

Finn argued that this ban had left officers without a vital protective tool.

He also condemned what he described as the “rushed and bungled” rollout of legislation and training for dealing with the recently raised age of criminal responsibility to 12 years, calling it “an absolute mess”.

In response to these concerns, the NT Government introduced a program named “On The Right Track”, aimed at assisting parents and diverting children away from the criminal justice system. 

However, Finn expressed scepticism about the program's effectiveness, stating that there was zero evidence to support it.

Finn further urged the government to extend bail reforms to include objects used as weapons to cause fear or harm, highlighting the growing number of attacks on police officers involving axes, machetes, and spears.

“The NTPA is concerned with the increased use of vehicles being driven in a manner which weaponises the vehicle,” Finn added.

The state of the police force was a central theme in Finn's speech, noting that the force is currently understaffed by 200 officers, facing an unprecedented volume of calls for service. 

He also criticised the deployment of officers at bottle shops and the lack of meaningful commitment from the government to hold offenders attacking police accountable.

While Finn welcomed the government's commitment to reviewing staffing and resources, he noted that the association had been advocating for this for years, given the soaring attrition rate.

Police Minister Kate Worden affirmed her respect for the association president's speech but defended the government's decisions, including the ban on spit hoods and raising the age of criminal responsibility.