Northern Territory cop Neil Mellon charged with 31 offences after being arrested at work
NT police Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon, 47, arrived at Darwin police station on Thursday morning where he was arrested
One of the Northern Territory’s top cops has been charged with 31 offences after he was taken away in handcuffs when he showed up to work.
NT Police Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon, 47, arrived at a Darwin police station on Thursday morning where he was arrested before the home he shares with his wife and children was raided.
Sergeant Mellon has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, stealing and unlawfully accessing data.
His charges also relate to weapons, firearms and wildlife offences, as well as the destruction of evidence and obtain benefit by deception.
NT Police Assistant Commissioner Michael White said police will allege Sgt Mellon’s actions ‘undermined the integrity’ of the NT police force and community.
‘It’s important to recognise that the behaviour of this officer is going to be before the courts and the matter is in relation to the damage and mistrust of his position within the police force,’ he told reporters on Friday.
‘It is a very disappointing, upsetting and frustrating event that has occurred and the wellbeing of all our officers is paramount in this circumstance.’
Sgt Mellon has been charged with a string of offences including attempting to pervert the course of justice, stealing and unlawfully accessing data
The father remains in custody as the investigation continues.
He has been suspended without pay. Support has been provided by the police force to Sergeant Mellon and his family.
The 47-year-old joined the state’s police force in 1995 and was the former officer in charge of the Territory Response Group (TRG) where he is one of the longest serving members, having served 15 years.
He was even called upon to protect the Dalai Lama and Barack Obama when they visited Australia.
Sgt Mellon has since been in the role of Darwin watch commander and also worked in Alice Springs and at the Police Training College.
He was gifted an Australian Police Medal in 2019 as part of the Australia Day Honours.
Former police commissioner Reece Kershaw said at the time he’d been involved in various tactical operations including body retrievals and shootings.
‘He has encountered distressing, stressful and dangerous situations during his career yet acts bravely, and above and beyond what is expected of members of the force,’ Commissioner Kershaw said.
He was also awarded for ‘outstanding professionalism, bravery and exceptional operational support’ in 2016 for his work in rescuing a tourist who fell from Uluru.
Sgt Mellon is due to face court on September 22.
The 47-year-old joined the state’s police force in 1995 and was the former officer in charge of the Territory Response Group (TRG) where he is one of the longest serving members, having served 15 years
