Northern Territory Consolidated Acts Northern Territory Consolidated Acts13. Investigation of maltreatment
(1) Where a member of the Police Force believes on reasonable grounds that a child has suffered or is suffering maltreatment, he or she -
(a) shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Minister of the circumstances and the knowledge that constitutes the reasonable grounds for his or her so believing; and
(b) may investigate the circumstances to ascertain if the child has suffered or is suffering maltreatment.
(2) Where a member of the Police Force carries out an investigation under subsection (1)(b), he or she shall, within 24 hours after completing the investigation, furnish to the Minister a report on his or her investigations and, if he or she is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the child has suffered maltreatment, all material facts on which the knowledge that constitutes the reasonable grounds for his or her belief is based.