Like their predecessors, the Rural Constabulary at Escape Cliffs, the first detachment of police at Palmerston had as their first responsibility the maintenance of law and order in the community.

The first police fatality occurred in 1872 when Mounted Constable Davis, a noted swimmer, disobeyed a local Standing Order and swam in the sea.

In recent years, various cases have made national and international headlines: the end of the Petrov Affair occurred in Darwin; the 1968 month-long bush search for Larry-Boy who murdered his wife and seriously injured a stockman at Elsey Station; and the 1971 attempted hijack of a plane at Alice Springs airport in which a Territory police officer, who was badly wounded, displayed great heroism.

Events connected with search and rescue operations at sea, in swamps and the desert have also made the news.

The roll-out of the new blue uniform, with a new design including the word "Police" displayed on the back of the shirt, started in February 2012 and finished in July 2012.

The headquarters of the Northern Territory Police is located at NAB House on Smith Street, Darwin.

The Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Services is administered from the Peter McAulay Centre in Berrimah.

[13] After this was deemed a success, NT police were looking at establishing a specialist licensing enforcement unit in 2010.

[14] Police Auxiliaries now guard bottle shops in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

Other weapons used in the Northern Territory Police include the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle which is used by specialist groups and specifically trained members in rural areas.

The NT Police introduced the Model X-26 Advanced TASER into operational service for General Duties members in February 2008, distributing 74 units.

Highway Patrol vehicles usually consist of a combination of marked and unmarked Holden VY SS Commodores and Ford Falcon XR6II.

Other specialist sections and units use a variety of police vehicles including Isuzu trucks, and fixed wing Pilatus PC-12 aeroplanes.

[19][20] On 17 August 1980, an infant Azaria Chamberlain and her family members were camping near Ayers Rock.

It was alleged the girl was snatched away by a dingo, but for a number of reasons, the parents were extradited to the Northern Territory and their vehicle seized.

A review of the forensic science section,[32] a royal commission, and several inquests were held into the police investigation and cause of Azaria's death.