NT Police Northern watch commander acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon, is in custody, multiple sources have told the NT Independent, with police media confirming an officer had been arrested and was expected to be charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and other alleged crimes.

Police media manager Rob Cross, who refused to answer NT Independent questions about the arrest, later issued a statement stating a 47-year-old male officer was arrested Thursday morning and was expected to be charged with unlawfully access data, disclose confidential information, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and several other crimes.

Multiple police sources said he had been acting as a senior sergeant in general duties, in a northern watch commander role, and was now in custody,

“Currently he remains in custody as the matter is under investigation by Crime Command. This information is provided in accordance with the NT Police transparency guidelines,” Mr Cross wrote.

According to media reports, last week Act Snr Sgt Mellon works as a northern watch commander.

He also spent time in the TRG according to his LinkedIn profile, which states he joined the NT Police force in 1995.

An NT Police media release from 2019 reported he received the Australian Police Medal as part of the Australia Day honours that year.

Then-police commissioner Reece Kershaw was quoted in the release saying that now-Act Snr Sgt Mellon had operated in a number of different roles including Alice Springs and Darwin general duties, as well as serving at the Police Training College and the TRG, and was one of the longest serving members of the unit.

“Throughout his time with the TRG he has been involved in a range of tactical operations, from body retrievals in dangerous situations, through to shootings and searching for suspected murderers,” he wrote at the time.

“He has also been responsible for a number of close personal protection operations of visiting dignitaries, including the Dalai Lama and former US President Obama.

“In addition he is an ambassador for the Men’s Mental Health Initiative ‘IF’ aimed at empowering men to take control of their own mental health.

“Sergeant Mellon has displayed unwavering dedication to duty and continued commitment to our community. 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.”