Cops ‘preserved Walker’s dignity as he lay dying’

NT Police Deputy Commissioner says the officers sent to arrest Kumanjayi Walker – and who fatally shot him – preserved his dignity as he died.

NT Police Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage. Picture: Madura McCormack / NT News

The most senior member of the Northern Territory Police Force to testify at the coronial inquest in Alice Springs into Kumanjayi Walker’s death says officers sent to arrest the Indigenous teenager, and who fatally shot him, preserved his dignity as he died.

Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage told Coroner Elisabeth Armitage on Tuesday that while Walker’s fatal shooting at Yuendumu on November 9, 2019, could have been prevented had the arrest been better planned, officers involved acted “professionally” and “appropriately” in its aftermath.

NT police barrister Ian Freckelton KC said Walker family members were aggrieved at being unable to see or comfort their loved one in his final moments.

Mr Smalpage – a police officer since 1979 – sympathised but insisted it would have been inappropriate for relatives to be present during Walker’s “highly graphic, highly distressing” medical treatment.

“Wherever appropriate, police would take steps to preserve the dignity of a dead or dying person,” he said. “I’ve seen it countless times in public places, hospitals and elsewhere and steps will be made to ensure we didn’t further distress people watching it.

“I don’t think it was inappropriate of the police to try and prevent that exposure to the family for what was clearly a very graphic event.”

Dr Freckelton told the court that constables James Kirstenfeldt and Zach Rolfe – who fired the fatal shots – provided most of Walker’s treatment. “They provided care and talked to Kumanjayi while he was there, calling him brother and similar, and tried to provide him with reassurance and then endeavoured to maintain this life with the equipment that was there,” he said.

Mr Smalpage said he believed the officers involved had acted “professionally” and fought to save Walker’s life. “I think (they) were acting with the appropriate response and dignity to a severely injured person,” he said.

“I think they did all in their powers to preserve the life of ­Kumanjayi Walker.”

He said while police should not have dragged Walker from the house where he was shot to their vehicle, it was “appropriate” for them to take the injured teen back to the police station because the situation was “dire”.

“The action taken by the attending members was urgent and if they needed to remove (themselves) … then I support that decision,” he said.

“I think, in my mind, I would have done the same thing.”

The inquest will resume on Wednesday.