NT Police have not made the charges laid against one of its officers public despite being laid more than two weeks ago, and have not acknowledged why they appear to have contravened their own transparency guidelines for investigations into members.

Constable First Class Dave Trenerry will face Darwin Local Court later this month charged with one count of obtaining benefit by deception, court records show.

It is understood Constable Trenerry is friends with former chief minister Michael Gunner.

NT Police media manager Rob Cross did not respond to questions sent on August 10, about why he had not issued a press release about the charges against the officer.

The charges, but not the identity of the officer, were sent out in an internal police broadcast on August 4 or 5, a police source told the NT Independent.

Mr Cross did however publish a press release on August 11 about a female police employee who was charged with two counts of disclosing confidential information.

And on August 9, Mr Cross issued a press release about a female police officer who was charged with assault. Her charges had not yet been listed with the court last Thursday, although Constable Trenerry’s had.

The NT Police transparency guidelines state that “at the stage of an internal investigation whereby a determination is made that there is likely a serious disciplinary and/or criminal offence committed, this information will be communicated to the public via media release and published on the NTPFES website”.

The police source told the NT Independent Constable Trenerry had been under investigation for months for this matter and had also faced disciplinary action over another matter but had not been suspended for either.

“There is a disparity between the harsh disciplinary action taken against other officers who have done far less than this officer is alleged to have done,” the police source said.

“The evidence was there to form a prima facie case. However the fraud unit was reluctant to charge him. It had to go to DPP as an opinion file.

“I am not a conspiracy theorist but things don’t add up at all.

“Why has he not been suspended pending the court outcome? Alleged offences involving dishonesty, or integrity issues should most often involve suspension. Now the PFES have delayed making it known to the public.”

The source said Constable Trenerry is friends with former chief minister Michael Gunner and attended his first wedding.

“He makes it well known he is friends with Gunner,” the police source said.

The NT Police release of information regarding internal investigations and disciplinary matters policy states the Ethical and Professional Standards Command investigates and oversees any matters brought to its attention which involve police, including alleged criminal issues subject to an NT Police investigation such as fraud.

“In the event that charges are laid and subsequent disciplinary action taken (if any), this information will be communicated to the public via media release and published on the NTPFES website,” the policy states.