An investigation into the Northern Territory (NT) Police Force has reported no evidence of systemic racism.
The NT Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) launched its review after a former officer made allegations of racist conduct.
ICAC handed down its final report last week. It found “no admissible evidence” to continue its investigations. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the “report puts those [racism] claims to bed.”
However, human rights lawyer Dana Levitt called the report “gobsmacking”.
Background
In 2019, NT police officer Zachary Rolfe shot 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man Kumanjayi Walker while arresting him.
Walker died in a jail cell hours later. Rolfe was found not guilty of murder or manslaughter in 2022 after his lawyers argued he acted in self-defence.
In March 2023, NT Police confirmed Rolfe would be stood down from the force.
He appeared at a coronial inquest into the circumstances of Walker’s death this year. During his testimony, Rolfe claimed NT Police “normalised” racist language and used it “nearly daily”.
Rolfe told the coronial inquest about an annual awards ceremony held by the Territory Response Group (TRG) unit in the police force.
He alleged one award was named after a racist slur, and some involved “made-up Aboriginal” words. Evidence showing what appeared to be the 2015 TRG awards was submitted to the inquiry.
Justice advocate and Arrernte woman Leanne Liddle told the inquest that racism was deeply rooted in the NT Police force.
In March, NT Police and ICAC announced a joint investigation into the allegations.
ICAC
Police officers told the ICAC inquiry that one of the awards – described by Rolfe at the earlier inquest – was given to a person “who had acted in an unhygienic manner, however [it] had no relationship to race”.
ICAC handed down a final report on Friday confirming it has closed its investigation, after finding “no admissible evidence” of racism within NT Police.
ICAC delegate Patricia Kelly said the force has taken “positive steps” and a further probe is not “necessary”. Kelly said ICAC “does not have the resources” to investigate further.
Response
Independent NT MP Yingiya Guyula told NITV that the report “reinforces the understanding that often there is no justice for Blak people”.
Sydney law firm Levitt Robinson is currently representing three First Nations officers in a discrimination complaint against NT Police. Levitt told NITV the decision is “gaslighting at an institutional and government level.”
Speaking to the ABC, Levitt suggested the report “couldn’t possibly” have found evidence of racism within NT Police, “because it didn’t look for it.”
Government
NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has responded to the report, saying the force was “fully committed to maintaining public trust” and “ensuring” concerns were “thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed.”
Further, NT Chief Minister and Country Liberal Leader Lia Finocchiaro said her party “has never supported the view that there is systemic racism” in the NT police.
Murphy said there is “no place for racism or discrimination within our ranks.”
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