A new report from a coroner's inquest into the fatal shooting of Indigenous teenager Kumanjayi Walker has found that the police officer involved displayed racist attitudes and highlighted entrenched systemic racism within the Northern Territory (NT) police force.
Police Officer Found 'Racist' in Inquest into Shooting of Aboriginal Teen Kumanjayi Walker
Police Officer Found 'Racist' in Inquest into Shooting of Aboriginal Teen Kumanjayi Walker
A coroner's inquest reveals systemic racism within NT police, condemning the actions leading to Walker's death.
The inquest, overseen by Judge Elisabeth Armitage, concluded that Walker's death in 2019 was "avoidable." The report, presented in the Aboriginal community of Yuendumu, identified Constable Zachary Rolfe as not just a "bad apple," but as part of a police culture that normalizes racism and problematic behavior. Rolfe shot the 19-year-old three times during an arrest gone wrong. Despite facing charges for murder and being acquitted in 2022, the inquest shed new light on the circumstances surrounding Walker's death.
Judge Armitage noted that Rolfe had an attraction to "adrenaline-style policing," and his actions on the day of the incident were influenced by a series of poor decisions and his contempt towards fellow officers. Walker, described as vulnerable with a history of trauma, was deemed to have been subjected to “officer-induced jeopardy,” which effectively escalated the encounter into a life-threatening situation.
The incident occurred after Rolfe and another officer arrived at Walker's home to arrest him for violating a court order. Tensions escalated quickly, resulting in Walker stabbing Rolfe with a pair of scissors, leading the officer to shoot Walker in self-defense. However, Judge Armitage found the subsequent shots were excessive and unnecessary, illustrating a failure in the use of force protocol.
Following the shooting, Armitage condemned the action of dragging Walker out of the house and emphasized respect and proper medical care should have been afforded to him. The final report detailed 32 recommendations aimed at mitigating future risks and fostering accountability within the police force.
Among these recommendations were intensified efforts toward an anti-racism strategy, and the establishment of mutual respect agreements regarding police weapon policies in Yuendumu. Walker's family expressed a sense of overwhelm at the findings and are currently reviewing the recommendations.
NT Police acknowledged the painful journey through the inquest and committed to ensuring that lessons learned will influence future practices. Meanwhile, the search for justice continues as Indigenous communities call for a thorough transformation of policing in Australia.
Judge Armitage noted that Rolfe had an attraction to "adrenaline-style policing," and his actions on the day of the incident were influenced by a series of poor decisions and his contempt towards fellow officers. Walker, described as vulnerable with a history of trauma, was deemed to have been subjected to “officer-induced jeopardy,” which effectively escalated the encounter into a life-threatening situation.
The incident occurred after Rolfe and another officer arrived at Walker's home to arrest him for violating a court order. Tensions escalated quickly, resulting in Walker stabbing Rolfe with a pair of scissors, leading the officer to shoot Walker in self-defense. However, Judge Armitage found the subsequent shots were excessive and unnecessary, illustrating a failure in the use of force protocol.
Following the shooting, Armitage condemned the action of dragging Walker out of the house and emphasized respect and proper medical care should have been afforded to him. The final report detailed 32 recommendations aimed at mitigating future risks and fostering accountability within the police force.
Among these recommendations were intensified efforts toward an anti-racism strategy, and the establishment of mutual respect agreements regarding police weapon policies in Yuendumu. Walker's family expressed a sense of overwhelm at the findings and are currently reviewing the recommendations.
NT Police acknowledged the painful journey through the inquest and committed to ensuring that lessons learned will influence future practices. Meanwhile, the search for justice continues as Indigenous communities call for a thorough transformation of policing in Australia.
