7am This is Alice Springs: The coppers
Oct 18, 2025
Leanne Little, an Arrernte woman and Executive Director of Community Resilience and Engagement for Northern Territory Police, tackles the daunting task of reforming police culture in Alice Springs. She discusses the challenges of addressing systemic racism within the force and the urgent need to rebuild trust with Indigenous communities. Leanne shares her personal journey in policing, her motivations for driving change, and her strategies for increasing Indigenous engagement. The conversation highlights the complexities of community relations and the tangible steps necessary for meaningful reform.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Police Density Far Exceeds National Average
- Alice Springs has a disproportionately high police presence compared to the national average.
- The Territory deploys nearly three times more cops per capita than Australia overall.
Walker Shooting Exposed Deep Fault Lines
- The killing of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker and the acquittal of Constable Zachary Rolfe exposed deep community grief and mistrust.
- Rolfe's record showed 46 use-of-force incidents over three years, intensifying public outrage.
Inquest Revealed Explicit Racist Culture
- The Walker inquest revealed racist text messages and a culture of demeaning behaviour among officers.
- Evidence included derogatory messages and descriptions that signalled systemic racism within the force.