NT Police facing formal internal complaint from Indigenous cops amid ongoing racism scandal

A whistleblower has said suggestions from high-ranking officers that there was no racism within NT Police were ‘completely ridiculous’, saying ‘every ACPO would have a story of racism’.

NT Police Association president Nathan Finn confirmed the union was ‘aware of an internal complaint’ but was ‘not directly involved’. Picture: Fia Walsh

Indigenous NT Police officers have lodged a formal, internal anti-discrimination complaint, a whistleblower has revealed, while claiming racism is “still alive and well” within the force.

The former Aboriginal Community Police Officer, who served for more than a decade and maintains contact with serving ACPOs, described assertions from senior police that there was no institutionalised racism as “a joke”.

“There’s definitely institutional racism within the NT Police, it’s very open, every muster room you go into in every police station, both myself and other Aboriginal members have been subjected to it,” they said.

“A lot of the constables openly mock Aboriginal people, the way they talk, very racist comments of ‘c--ns’, ‘half-castes’, ‘halfies’.”

The whistleblower said suggestions from high-ranking officers who testified at an inquest into the police shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker that there was no racism within NT Police were “completely ridiculous”, saying “every ACPO would have a story of racism”.

“That’s a joke, that is completely wrong, it’s still alive and well, institutional racism is just common throughout the stations,” they said.

“Don’t get me wrong, there’s good people in the NT Police but racism is alive and well throughout.

“Yet Zach Rolfe can come in the court and say there’s racism and all of a sudden it gets investigated (when) we’ve been calling for that for years.”

Mr Rolfe was acquitted on all charges over the 2019 shooting before delivering explosive testimony at the ongoing inquest last month, sparking an investigation into racism within the force by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption.

Former NT Police constable Zach Rolfe leaves the Alice Springs Local Court in February after giving evidence at an inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker. Picture: Jason Walls

Meanwhile, a recent review by former Territory cop Vince Kelly found ACPOs felt like they were “at the bottom of the structure of the NTPF” and that there was “a big division between ACPOs and constables”.

“We feel as though ACPOs are being phased out but NTPF is still trying to work out how to do it,” the report reads.

Mr Kelly also found ACPOs whose employment commenced after 2018 could not lawfully investigate indictable offences, causing “significant confusion and uncertainty surrounding their powers”.

The insider described the situation as “very clear discrimination towards the role of an Aboriginal police officer” in which ACPOs were “used as cheap constables”, saying “I’m surprised a good lawyer hasn’t brought it up”.

“The ACPOs are paid the same as a civilian auxiliary yet they carry a gun and are expected to go to general duties jobs when they can’t lawfully do so,” they said.

“They’re forced to go to assaults, domestics and jobs that they’re not trained for with no backing from the organisation.”

“It’s a ticking time bomb waiting to hang those members out to dry when they do get pulled up for acting unlawfully or outside what they’re actually allowed to do.”

The whistleblower said NT Police’s recent decision to “fast track” Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors into fully fledged constables stood in stark contrast to the opportunities afforded to ACPOs.

A ‘racist’ award certificate tendered to the inquest as part of Zach Rolfe’s evidence last month.

“They have no transitional pathways, they are one of the most beneficial and crucial roles in the NT Police, yet they’re under-utilised and they’re not given an opportunity to enter any career progression,” they said.

Mr Kelly recommended the force consider “the merits of continuing the (ACPO) scheme in its current form” as well as “a priority transition process for all ACPOs to constable”.

NT Police Association president Nathan Finn confirmed the union was “aware of an internal complaint” but was “not directly involved”, saying racism allegations were “being taken incredibly seriously” and the inquiries “need to run their course”.

“Working conditions and industrial entitlements of our ACPOs is a priority for the NTPA and is something we have been active in progressing on behalf of the NTPA’s ACPO regional branch,” he said.

“At the 2023 NTPA annual conference motions from the ACPO region were carried and communicated to Police Commissioner Michael Murphy.

“This has now progressed to a formal review of ACPO roles and responsibilities and schedule of appointments, which also formed part of the NT Police resource allocation review and (Mr Kelly’s) recommendation.”

Mr Finn said it was “the responsibility of the department to ensure the rank of ACPO is clearly identified and defined, with no ambiguity around the role”.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Martin Dole said NT Police received a copy of the Kelly report last week and was “diligently going through its content and recommendations for consideration”.

Mr Dole said the force was working with the ICAC “to ensure a comprehensive and impartial examination of the circumstances” surrounding allegations of racism.

“Any evidence relative to the current investigation surrounding racism within the NT Police should be submitted to the ICAC,” he said.