Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker has employed lawyers and called for a mediation between them and NT Government lawyers chaired by an “eminent retired” interstate judge, in the wake of media reports the Fyles Government finally asked Mr Chalker to resign, and with the chief minister refusing to say if she had faith in him.

The news that Mr Chalker had taken “indefinite leave” after being asked to resign last Friday started making the rounds on the Saturday morning, shortly after the NT Independent ran an April Fool’s Day story that Mr Chalker had been given a new four-year contract, which highlighted the absurdity of why he remained in the position.

Mr Chalker’s unannounced leave was first reported by Sky News and the NT Independent has independently confirmed from reliable sources that Mr Chalker has taken indefinite leave.

The beleaguered top cop issued a statement this morning through Sydney defamation lawyer Rebekah Giles in which it says Mr Chalker sought to “resolve this unfortunate matter” but did not explain specifically what that matter was.

On its website Ms Giles’ firm describes itself as “devoted solely to the management of reputational risk”. The statement also said he had engaged and top Sydney silk Arthur Moses SC to act for him. Former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate hired the pair over a fight with the postal authority board over her employment contract.

“For some weeks there have been a number of media reports in relation to commissioner Jamie Chalker APM, and in particular the Northern Territory Government’s alleged desire for the commissioner to resign,” the statement said.

“It has always been the commissioner’s intention to discharge the important functions of his office for the full term of his contract as well as seek a renewal of that contract to complete important reforms which he has implemented.

“The on going speculation in relation to the commissioner is not in the interests of the brave women and men of the Northern Territory Police Force or the public let alone fair to a commissioner who has been discharging his duties with integrity in the interests of the public.”

The statement gave background that his contract was due to end in November and there was the option for a four-year contract renewal to the subject of discussion in May.

“In order to attempt to resolve this unfortunate matter, the commissioner has today proposed that a mediation take place between the legal representatives of the Northern Territory Government and the legal representatives of the commissioner to be chaired by an eminent retired judge from an interstate jurisdiction,” the statement said.

“It is the desire of the commissioner that this mediation take place as a matter of urgency.”

On Wednesday Chief Minister Natasha Fyles broke her silence over the Chalker affair, but still refused to explain to Territorians the status of the police commissioner, telling reporters that she was engaged with him in “private conversations” about his contract.

The contract “discussions” are the latest bizarre twist in the ongoing police commissioner saga, with Ms Fyles still not stating whether she has confidence in Mr Chalker.

Ms Fyles and her Cabinet have repeatedly refused to explain to the public if they have confidence in Mr Chalker or if he has left, or is leaving, the role.

However, pressure has mounted on Ms Fyles to explain, necessitating the Wednesday afternoon press conference, but she fell short of providing what the police union said should have been an “urgent and direct” explanation.

“We have been having, in good faith, conversations with the police commissioner around his tenure in that role,” she said.

“I won’t be making comments publicly whilst there is private confidential conversations around commissioner Chalker’s … contract.

“As you would appreciate, these matters are private and of a confidential nature in the sense that they [are in] regard to his employment.”

Mr Chalker was deeply unpopular with the NT Police’s rank-and-file during his time as the NT’s top cop, coming into the role shortly after the 2019 Yuendumu shooting with criticism levelled at his handling of that matter from the beginning.

An August 2022 NT Police Association survey found that nearly 80 per cent of respondents had no confidence in Mr Chalker to continue in the role, but Mr Chalker repeatedly downplayed the results and refused to resign.

The number one reason offered for why Mr Chalker had lost the confidence of his officers was his handling of the Yuendumu matter and Constable Zach Rolfe.

A more recent NTPA survey in February found 85 per cent of current officers had considered an exit strategy, but again neither Mr Chalker nor the government addressed the problems in the police force.

Mr Chalker has also been part of an Independent Commissioner Against Corruption investigation into allegations of political interference in the charging of Constable Rolfe with murder over the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker in 2019.

ICAC Michael Riches has stated his report is complete but will not be released until the coronial inquest into Mr Walker’s death is finalised.