A number of accusations against one of the senior police officers in the Northern Territory are allegedly connected to an investigation into a helicopter accident that killed a television personality.
On Thursday morning, 47-year-old NT Police Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon was detained upon entering Darwin Police Station for work.
Also searched was the house he lives in with his wife and kids.
Sgt. Mellon has been accused of 31 crimes, including theft, trying to skew the course of justice, and unauthorized access to data.
His accusations also include theft by deceit, the destruction of evidence in connection with a major accident investigation, and crimes involving weapons, guns, and animals.
Sgt. Mellon has been accused of a number of crimes, including trying to obstruct justice, theft, and unauthorized access to data.
On February 28, Chris “Willow” Wilson, 34, the star of National Geographic’s Outback Wrangler, was tethered 30 meters from a helicopter while gathering crocodile eggs in West Arnhem Land.
On February 28, Chris “Willow” Wilson, 34, the star of National Geographic’s Outback Wrangler, was gathering crocodile eggs in West Arnhem Land while being roped 30 meters from a helicopter when it crashed.
The catastrophe claimed the life of the father-of-two.
It’s clear that After the collision, Sgt. Mellon flew to the site and, while off-duty and before other emergency services arrived, recovered Mr. Wilson’s corpse, according to The Australian.
Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon, 47, of the NT Police, was taken into custody on Thursday morning at the Darwin police station.
Sebastian Robinson, the pilot, was critically hurt in the collision but survived.
Some of Sgt. Mellon’s allegations, according to NT Police Assistant Commissioner Michael White, were connected to an extensive collision investigation that got underway in February of this year.
He claimed that according to authorities, Sgt. Mellon’s conduct “undermined the integrity” of the NT police department and the local population.
On Friday, he told reporters, “It’s vital to recognize that the behavior of this officer will be before the courts and that the issue is in connection to the harm and distrust of his position within the police force.”
The welfare of all of our officers is of the utmost importance in this situation, and it is a very disheartening, unpleasant, and infuriating occurrence that has taken place.
Sgt. Mellon has been placed on unpaid leave. The police department has offered him and his family support.
The 47-year-old was one of the longest serving officers in the Territory Response Group (TRG), having worked there for 18 years. He joined the state police department in 1995.
Even when Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama’s visit to Australia, he was asked to provide security.
Sgt. Mellon formerly worked in Alice Springs and at the Police Training College in addition to his present position as watch commander in Darwin.
As part of the 2019 Australia Day Honours, he received an Australian Police Medal.
The 47-year-old is one of the state police department’s longest-serving officers, having spent 15 years as the officer in command of the Territory Response Group (TRG). He joined the service in 1995.
Reece Kershaw, a former police commissioner, said at the time that he had participated in a number of tactical operations, involving shootings and the removal of bodies.
Throughout his career, he has come across upsetting, stressful, and hazardous circumstances, yet he still acts fearlessly and above and above what is required of police officers, according to Mr. Kershaw.
In addition, he received recognition in 2016 for his efforts in saving a visitor who had fallen from Uluru for his “excellent professionalism, courage, and superb operational assistance.”
Sgt. Mellon was granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court on September 22.