CLP say Jamie Chalker meeting with Chief Minister held before he was sworn in as Police Commissioner

The CLP has renewed its push for an independent inquiry into the Rolfe saga in Question Time on Thursday.

THE Opposition has renewed its call for an independent inquiry into the decision to charge Constable Zach Rolfe, after Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said he was “shocked” by it.

The CLP also questioned why Chief Minister Michael Gunner met with Mr Chalker on the Sunday after the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker, but before he was sworn in as Commissioner.

In his first press conference since the day of the Rolfe verdict, Mr Chalker said on Wednesday he was surprised by the speed at which investigators moved to charge Constable Rolfe with murdering Kumanjayi Walker in 2019.

Constable Rolfe was found not guilty earlier this month.

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Two investigators examining the matter expressed concerns about the speed by which officials moved to charge Constable Rolfe.

In parliament on Thursday, the CLP repeatedly asked whether this was sufficient grounds for the government to establish an independent inquiry.

Mr Gunner and Police Minister Nicole Manison continually denied any political interference but did not speak directly to the claim Mr Chalker had not been sworn in.

Speaking earlier in the day, Mr Gunner said an independent investigation would be overkill, citing the coronial inquest and the potential for the ICAC to launch its own investigation. He referred to the ICAC as a “permanent inquiry”.

The ICAC has not ruled out launching a probe into the Rolfe saga.

NT Police has been contacted for comment.

NT Police ‘try to rewrite history’ with internal Zach Rolfe investigation

NT POLICE officer Zach Rolfe is now being investigated for alleged disciplinary breaches after having been acquitted of the murder of Yuendumu teenager Kumanjayi Walker by a Supreme Court jury last week.

Constable Rolfe was found not guilty on all charges relating to Mr Walker’s shooting death during an attempted arrest in 2019.

Constable Rolfe’s father, Richard Rolfe, said his son was now forced to use up his annual leave entitlements after his suspension ended following the not guilty verdict and while NT Police probed the alleged breaches.

Mr Rolfe said police were required to self-report use of force incidents to superiors, with consequences to follow if there were any issues and police were now trying to “rewrite history” by going back over the files.

Zach Rolfe’s father Richard outside court. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“In the over 3000 incidents that Zach was involved in, in the NT in the three years that he was a police officer based in Alice Springs, he obviously was never sacked and he was never suspended, he was never issued a section 79 (breach of discipline notice), he was never reprimanded and he was never counselled,” he said.

“But after the murder charge there’s been a vendetta by the NT Police executive to rewrite history and showcase Zach in bad light.”

Mr Rolfe said in contrast to the attention shown to his son following the acquittal there had been no support from police top brass during the more than two years since he was charged.

“Not a single current NT Police commissioned officer has ever picked up the phone to check on his mental or physical health during this entire period,” he said.

“If someone had any decency whatsoever they’d pick up the phone but no, you can’t get them to do the right thing.”

NT Police Association president Paul McCue declined to comment on the internal investigation.

“The NTPA will not be commenting further on any internal disciplinary matters regarding Constable Rolfe,” he said.

“The association will continue to support Constable Rolfe as we would for any member.”