The Daily Aus The NT police racism findings
The Fatal Arrest Incident
- In November 2019, police officers tried to arrest Kumunjayi Walker in Yundamu.
- The arrest led to a violent altercation where Walker was shot multiple times by officer Rolfe and later died.
Scope of a Coroner Inquest
- Coroners must thoroughly investigate deaths, especially in custody, to identify causes and prevent repeats.
- Investigations should include cultural and systemic factors like racism to make meaningful recommendations.
NT Coroner Exposes Racism in Police After Kumanjayi Walker's Death
The Northern Territory coroner, Elisabeth Armitage, found that police officer Zachary Rolfe was racist and part of a racist culture within NT Police, with Walker's death described as "avoidable." Rolfe had a history of aggressive behavior and poor impulse control, including forceful arrests causing injuries to Aboriginal men.
Walker, a troubled 19-year-old Aboriginal man, was under court-ordered rehab conditions and cut off his monitoring bracelet to attend a family funeral, leading to his arrest and fatal shooting by Rolfe. The coroner highlighted the stark contrast between their lives and noted Rolfe's tendency to rush into unsafe situations.
The inquest revealed Rolfe's history of lying in police applications, sharing videos of violent arrests outside the force, and the fatal arrest being rushed against an original plan. The coroner recommended extensive reforms including better liaison with Aboriginal community officers and early intervention in problematic police behavior.