New NT Police commissioner has senior Warlpiri Elder hopeful for beginning of new relationship
A senior Warlpiri Elder has congratulated Martin Dole on being named the Territory’s new top cop, hoping it could be the beginning of a renewed relationship with police.
A senior Warlpiri Elder whose disabled grandson died in custody earlier this year says he is hopeful the appointment of the NT’s new top cop is the beginning of renewed relationship with police.
Speaking with this masthead on Thursday, Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, a senior Elder from Yuendumu, congratulated Martin Dole being named the new NT police commissioner on Thursday.
“I known him for many years. I’m happy he’s commissioner; that he, in his job, he’ll work very closely with First Nations people and work with us,” Mr Hargraves said.
Mr Dole’s appointment comes days after he met with Mr Hargraves in a meeting in Alice Springs on Monday.
In a statement to this masthead, a police spokeswoman said the meeting between Mr Hargraves and Mr Dole was “private” and it “would be inappropriate for NT Police to make any comment regarding the nature of discussions”.
Mr Dole himself is from Alice Springs, but grew up in Yuendumu and has experience policing in the community.
Mr Hargraves is the grandfather of Kumanjayi White, a 24-year-old disabled man from Yuendumu who died in May this year after he was allegedly restrained by two off duty police officers.
One witness to what happened inside Coles has previously told this masthead one of the officers involved allegedly had his “knee behind his (Mr White’s) head”.
While Mr White was allegedly being restrained, his friends were calling out “this fella has a disability, he’s disabled, just be a bit more careful,” the witness previously said.
His death is being investigated as a death in custody by NT Police.
At the end of September Mr Dole said police had handed the brief of evidence from the investigation to the NT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Asked if police recommended any charges when handing over the brief, Mr Dole told media in Alice Springs on Thursday “it’s not the role of the police to recommend to the DPP what they should consider”.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions is considering that brief of evidence and it will be up to them whether any charges are brought against any of the officers involved,” Mr Dole said.
“When we know, we’ll give further updates to the community.”
On Thursday, a DPP spokesman said the “matter remains under consideration” when asked if either of officers allegedly involved had been charged.
Mr White was restrained inside the lolly aisle of Alice Springs Coles on May 27.
He died in Alice Springs hospital 70 minutes after he was allegedly restrained.
Mr Hargrave, in the wake of the death, has made repeated calls for an independent investigation into his grandson’s death, and for the CCTV from inside the supermarket to be released.
The two officers who allegedly restrained Mr White have not been stood down, an NT Police spokesman said on Thursday.
