A recent coroner's report highlights institutional racism within the Northern Territory Police Force following the fatal shooting of Aboriginal teenager Kumanjayi Walker by officer Zachary Rolfe. The inquiry supports allegations of racial bias in the police's treatment of Indigenous Australians.
Institutional Racism Found in Death of Aboriginal Teen: Coroner's Report
Institutional Racism Found in Death of Aboriginal Teen: Coroner's Report
A public inquiry reveals deep-seated racism in the policing culture surrounding the 2019 shooting of Kumanjayi Walker.
A public inquiry into the 2019 police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, a 19-year-old Aboriginal teenager, revealed that the police officer involved held normalized racist attitudes within his department. The findings, presented by coroner Elisabeth Armitage, shed light on systemic issues in policing culture in Central Australia.
The inquiry, conducted over two years, scrutinized the actions of Constable Zachary Rolfe, who shot Walker three times during a failed arrest attempt in Yuendumu. Testimonies disclosed that prior to the incident, multiple complaints were disregarded regarding Rolfe's aggressive behavior towards Aboriginal individuals, including sharing videos of violent arrests with friends as entertainment.
Rolfe, 33, faced murder charges—a rarity for police officers during active duty—but was acquitted in 2022, claiming self-defense after being stabbed by Walker during a confrontation. The case ignited significant protests focused on police treatment of Indigenous Australians, who experience disproportionately high arrest and incarceration rates.
In her findings, Armitage stated, “I am satisfied that Mr. Rolfe was racist and that he worked in and was the beneficiary of an organization with hallmarks of institutional racism.” Delivering her report in Yuendumu, she emphasized the need to address these ingrained biases and improve accountability within the police force, which has faced mounting criticism for its treatment of Aboriginal communities.
The impact of Walker's death resonates deeply within his community and across the nation, underscoring the urgent demand for reform in police practices and greater recognition of racial discrimination in law enforcement.
