NT Police racism claims made by Zach Rolfe at Kumanjayi Walker inquest to be investigated

NT Police commissioner Michael Murphy has announced an investigation will take place following explosive claims of racism made by ex-NT cop Zach Rolfe at the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker.

Mr Murphy addressed media outside Nightcliff Police Station on Tuesday, and announced an investigation would take place. Picture: Glenn Campbell

NT Police commissioner Michael Murphy has announced an investigation will take place following explosive claims of racism made by ex-NT cop Zach Rolfe at the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker.

Mr Rolfe, while on the stand on Monday, claimed the elite Territory Response Group (TRG) handed out “c–n of the year awards” to members.

He also claimed that a high-up official in the force had been removed from a Chinese restaurant for racially “abusing the staff”.

Mr Murphy on Tuesday told media there was no place for any form of discrimination in the NT police force, and the matter would be looked into by “other agencies outside of police” if necessary.

NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy fronts the media on February 27, 2024. Picture: Jordan McCarthy

“I think more broadly on racism, I do not condone it at all,” he said.

“We’re doing everything we can to stamp out any discrimination or racism and it’s absolutely not acceptable in the workplace or in the community.

“It’s vitally important we respect the process of the coronial inquest currently underway and anything that was raised yesterday, inquiries will be undertaken.”

Mr Murphy also said he had never heard of the elite task force “awards” before Mr Rolfe made the claims yesterday.

“I was not aware of the TRG awards they spoke of,” he said.

“But then as I said, there will need to be an inquiry undertaken now, a search for the truth to find out exactly what any basis, if any, of the assertions made yesterday to the board are true.”

Explosive scenes outside court as a woman believed to be from Yuendumu confronts former NT police officer Zachary Rolfe after day one of him giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

The matter with the high ranking police officer at the Chinese restaurant will also be investigated “with the same processes” Mr Murphy said, before stating he had never witnessed or heard any racist behaviour at Territory stations.

“When I go to Alice Springs and the other stations around the territory, I do not see those behaviours,” he said.

“I do not hear those comments and I know our management teams don’t.

“We’ve got really good people, really good men and women across the Northern Territory police who do a fantastic job every day and work tirelessly to protect Territorians and all the cultures across the territory.”

This is not the first time NT Police have faced accusations of racism, and Mr Murphy said sometimes they “don’t always get it right”.

“It’s really important to be scrutinised and hold ourselves to account about what the community expectations are,” he said.

“There are pockets of people who make mistakes. It’s about learning from that not just as individuals but as an agency and making sure we educate and communicate.”

Mr Murphy denied he’d ever used racist language or sent racist text messages.

Mr Rolfe is again on the stand Tuesday at the coronial inquest.

Originally published as NT Police racism claims made by Zach Rolfe at Kumanjayi Walker inquest to be investigated