Constable Zach Rolfe believes decision to charge him was ‘politically influenced’

Constable Zach Rolfe has said he believes the decision to charge him with murder was ‘100 per cent politically influenced’.

CONSTABLE Zach Rolfe has alleged the decision to charge him with murder following the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker was “100 per cent politically influenced”.

In an explosive podcast episode published by The Australian on Thursday, Constable Rolfe has revealed Mr Gunner was reportedly in a meeting with the Director of Public Prosecutions and Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker.

Mr Gunner has since rejected the claims “in the strongest manner”.

Constable Rolfe also said he felt he was “thrown under the bus” by the brass of the NT Police, referring to high ranking officials within the force.

The podcast was recorded in 2019, not long after he was charged with murder.

Constable Rolfe was acquitted last Friday in a unanimous jury verdict.

In the interview, Constable Rolfe said he believed the decision to arrest him was politically influenced.

Zach Rolfe has alleged the decision to arrest him was politically influenced. Picture Julianne Osborne

Chief Minister Michael Gunner announcing an aerospace precinct at Darwin International Airport. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“I’m hearing the same things that everyone else is hearing – I’m hearing that obviously there was a meeting with the Commissioner, (Michael) Gunner, the DPP and other people in that room,” Const Rolfe told The Australian.

“I believe it was 100 per cent politically influenced,” he said.

“I’m still hearing from multiple people that a meeting with Gunner … and again, as much as they can be influenced by Gunner, he’s not the one that is making the decision.”

Constable Rolfe said he had not been contacted by high ranking members of the NT Police in the podcast, saying he felt “abandoned”.

NT Police refused to comment on the claims, referring the NT News to a statement made on Monday that authorities would not comment before a coronial inquest.

In response to questions, Mr Gunner said he refuted “in the strongest manner any accusation that there has been political interference in the Rolfe case, by me or anyone else”.

“I have sought legal advice in respect to the comments made in the Podcast published by The Australian, in particular the imputation that as Chief Minister, I met with the DPP and Police Commissioner, and not only was part of the decision making process but pressured the Police to arrest and charge Constable Rolfe.”

He has previously denied that the decision to prosecute was politically motivated.

It follows growing scrutiny from the police union, opposition and public on what role the government, and particularly Mr Gunner, played in charging Const Rolfe with murder.

Mr Gunner raised eyebrows, particularly within the police ranks, after he travelled to Yuendumu just days after the shooting death of Mr Walker and said “consequences would flow”.

Mr Gunner’s office has repeatedly said he was referring to the outcomes of a coronial inquest.

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