Janelle Tonkin issued a statement yesterday after criminal proceedings on the matter were finalised, saying she became aware in December 2025 that an AI-generated, sexually explicit video had been created using her official Northern Territory Police photograph and shared among colleagues.
"Having my professional portrait photograph, taken in the course of my job turned into pornography and circulated among colleagues is something no person should have to experience, at work or anywhere else," she said.
The ABC understands the court has issued suppression orders on the matter, and the outcome of the court proceedings is currently unknown.
Ms Tonkin, now president of the advocacy group Australasian Council of Women and Policing, said the deepfake video was not an isolated incident, describing it as sitting within a broader set of experiences she has had within the organisation that she intends to speak about publicly when the time is right.
In a statement, a Northern Territory Police Force spokesperson said they do not comment on internal investigations and are legally constrained from commenting on matters before the court. However, the spokesperson described the conduct as "totally unacceptable" and said the NTPF has zero tolerance for bullying in any form. The force said it is committed to holding standards of a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace across all levels, and that recruits are taught expected standards of conduct and workplace behaviour including respect and anti-harassment.