NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy delivers public apology to Indigenous Territorians at Garma Festival

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has publicly apologised to Indigenous Territorians for harms and injustices caused by the force over the past 154 years of policing. Read the full apology.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has publicly apologised to Indigenous Territorians for harms and injustices caused by the force over the past 154 years of policing.

Commissioner Murphy delivered the historic apology at the Garma Festival on Saturday, committing to ensure future recruits understand the history and impacts of colonisation on First Nations people.

“The statements I make today are likely to make some of you feel uncomfortable or trigger strong emotions,” he said.

“But truth-telling is critical for the Northern Territory Police to own its part in the challenging history many Aboriginal people have experienced over many decades.

“So today, as Commissioner of the Northern Territory Police, I unequivocally say; I am deeply sorry to all Aboriginal Territorians, for the past harms and the injustices caused by members of the Northern Territory Police.”

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The apology comes after months of turmoil in the force, damning examples of racism coming to light through a coronial inquiry into the police shooting death of Yuendumu teenager Kumanjayi Walker.

During Saturday’s speech, Mr Murphy promised to deliver a separate apology directly to the people of Yuendumu.

He also vowed to expand community policing across the NT, increase the numbers of Aboriginal officers, and implement training with an emphasis on racism, history, and human rights.

Mr Murphy acknowledged the police’s role in removing children in the Stolen Generation, enforcing the Intervention, and historical examples of officers “protecting settlers and their property” against Aboriginal people.

“Many Territorians, like many Australians, may not fully understand the history of colonisation in the Northern Territory,” he said.

“Similarly, some members of the police force may lack awareness of the profound and ongoing intergenerational impacts that this history has had on Aboriginal Territorians.

“These impacts play a critical role in what causes disengagement, anti-social behaviour, offending, and violence today.”

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy at an unrelated press conference in the Northern Territory Parliament on April 9, 2024. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Aboriginal people account for eighty six per cent of people in NT prisons, despite making up a third of the population.

More than 96 per cent of Territory youths in detention are Aboriginal.

“The community should never fear their police and the police should never fear their community,” Mr Murphy said.

“So, from today, we must, and it will change under my leadership.

“I stand here today to publicly commit to lead that change, to transform relations between police and Aboriginal people.

“I intend to develop a new relationship built on mutual respect, trust and human rights.

“I ask you to walk with us to establish a new relationship.”

Mr Murphy was joined on stage by Bettina Dangangbarr, a Yolngu Senior Aboriginal Community Police Officer, and Arrernte leader and police executive director Leanne Liddle.

Originally published as NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy delivers public apology to Indigenous Territorians at Garma Festival