NT police commissioner Michael Murphy resigns from Police Association after apologising for decades of racism
Commissioner Michael Murphy conceded police had ‘protected settlers over Aboriginal people’ in breach of their duty.
Northern Territory police commissioner Michael Murphy has resigned his membership from the NT Police Association just days after apologising to Aboriginal people of the territory for decades of systemic racism within the force.
The extraordinary move came after the NTPA called upon Mr Murphy to not “unfairly overburden” officers with blame, and criticised him for failing to advise rank-and-file members of his intent to apologise prior to doing so.
His decision has further divided the force’s top-brass and rank and file members, an already-strained relationship in dire need of repair following the apparent sacking of his predecessor Jamie Chalker, who oversaw officers at a time morale was at an all-time low.
Mr Murphy said he was “incredibly disappointed” by the police association’s response to his apology, in a statement published online at 9:20pm on Monday.
“The Association should be strong and should be representative of membership,” he said.
“I love policing. I know you do too, and I am proud to be your Commissioner.
“I have a vision for the future of NT Police; and in order to achieve that future, we need to be able to understand and acknowledge our history,” he said. “Our shared mission is to serve and protect all Territorians.”
Mr Murphy made the apology at the Garma Festival in Gulkula in Arnhem Land on Friday, six months after racism inside the force was exposed at the inquest of Yuendumu teen Kumanjayi Walker.
In his apology, he said that through the 154-year history, police had “made mistakes”, and said he would visit the town of Yuendumu to apologise to the community.
“As the legislated protectors of Aboriginal people and the Territory community, Northern Territory police historically were required to defend Aboriginal people from harm,” he said.
“However, there were times when we did not fulfil this responsibility. Instead, police saw themselves as duty bound to protect settlers and their property when Aboriginal people resisted their incursions.”
Multiple sources The Australian has spoken to expressed concern about the apology, including that it could raise community anger towards frontline police, and that it would provide a “green light” for more aggression and violence towards officers.
His decision to resign his membership came after the NTPA on Saturday morning also said it was not the role of police to measure the success of federal government policies such as Closing the Gap, the Stolen Generation and the Intervention.
“If the Commissioner is genuinely committed to achieving the goals he has outlined, it is essential that the entire agency is included in this process and fully supported in its efforts to serve the community,” NTPA acting President Lisa Bayliss said.
“Our members deserve the backing of the senior police executive, ensuring they are not unfairly overburdened with blame but rather empowered to continue their vital work for the benefit of all Territorians.
“The Commissioner’s focus should be not only on Indigenous members of the public but also on the wellbeing and development of the NTP’s own members,” Ms Bayliss said.
The NTPA also called upon Mr Murphy directly to improve promotion and transitional opportunities for Aboriginal Community Police Officers, who can only progress to the rank of Senior ACPO.
“This would not only offer a practical solution but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to providing ACPOs with the same opportunities for advancement that the Commissioner himself has had, including the potential to rise through the ranks to one day become the Commissioner of the NTP,” Ms Bayliss said.
“This initiative would be a significant step toward ensuring equal opportunities for all members of the NTP.”
In the last year racism within the force has grown exponentially.
Former police officer Zachary Rolfe, who was acquitted on all charges after shooting Indigenous teenager Kumanjayi Walker dead while trying to arrest him in 2019, admitted at the inquest he had used the word “coon” in text messages and that said that racism in the NT police had “rubbed off on me.”
Mr Rolfe then revealed the NT police force’s most elite unit had a tradition of handing out racist awards at an annual awards night. This included racist imagery and phrases such as “for the most COON like BBQ ever!!!”.
One of the awards, first revealed by this masthead in May, had the background of the Aboriginal flag, and another, titled 2007 Noogadah Award, was a photograph of a man – understood to be a police photo of a deceased Indigenous Australian – with images of six cans of Victoria Bitter beer Photoshopped around the body.
The Australian also revealed a “racist” email depicting a “black Monopoly” Indigenous board game where every property on the board is the “go to jail” square had resurfaced after first circulating through members of the NT Police in 2008.
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