The Northern Territory Police Force has appointed Clinton (Clint) Sims as Deputy Commissioner following a national recruitment process.
Mr Sims brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience across state and federal jurisdictions. He began his career with NT Police in 1995 and served for more than 21 years, including as a Detective Superintendent.
During his NT Police career, he worked across general duties, investigations and senior operational roles in Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin, including leadership of major crime, fraud, regional investigations, drug and intelligence functions.
Since leaving NT Police in 2016, Mr Sims has held senior leadership roles with the Australian Border Force, including Commander and Assistant Commissioner positions, with responsibilities spanning border security, national security, maritime threats and serious and organised crime.
Commissioner Martin Dole APM congratulated Mr Sims on his appointment and welcomed him back to NT Police.
"I congratulate Clint on his appointment and welcome him back to the Northern Territory Police Force, where his policing career began more than 30 years ago.
"Clint knows the Territory and understands the complexity of policing across our urban, regional and remote communities. He also returns with significant national leadership experience gained across some of Australia's most complex law enforcement and security environments.
"That combination of Territory experience and broader national perspective will be valuable to NT Police and our Executive."
Mr Sims' appointment will coincide with a six-month trial of a two Deputy Commissioner model, with dedicated leadership across two portfolios: Territory Policing and Specialist and Operational Support portfolios.
Under the trial, Deputy Commissioner Sims will lead the Specialist and Operational Support portfolio, while Mr Travis Wurst will continue as Acting Deputy Commissioner and lead the Territory Policing portfolio.
The model will provide dedicated senior leadership across frontline policing and the specialist and operational capabilities that support policing across the Northern Territory.
Commissioner Dole APM said the six-month trial would allow NT Police to assess how the structure operates in practice.
"Policing in the Northern Territory requires strong frontline capability supported by specialist, investigative and operational functions across the organisation.
"This trial provides dedicated Deputy Commissioner leadership across these two areas while maintaining a single, coordinated NT Police Executive.
"I also thank Acting Deputy Commissioner Wurst for his continued leadership and commitment. He will continue to play an important role in the Executive and lead the Frontline Policing Command during the trial.
"Both Deputy Commissioners will work closely together to support our people and policing operations across the Territory.
"The model will be assessed over the six-month period, with the findings informing consideration of future executive arrangements."
