Police union condemns Zach Rolfe Yuendumu murder charge

The ‘national voice of policing’ says its members are ‘undoubtedly shocked’ by the charge.

Constable Zach Rolfe. Picture: Kym Smith

The policeman sent to arrest Aboriginal man Kumanjayi Walker in an outback community and later charged with his murder was part of a specialist “immediate response team” that included at least one other ex-military officer.

The Australian has learned that decorated constable Zachary Rolfe, who served with the Australian Army in Afghanistan, was accompanied by at least one other policeman who also previously had a military career and overseas deployment.

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The revelation comes as the head of Australia’s national police union on Friday warned that charging Constable Rolfe with murder could put other serving police officers at risk and endanger the wider community.

Constable Rolfe allegedly shot dead 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu on 9 November during an attempted arrest gone wrong. Walker’s case has been deemed a death in custody and has sparked a national outcry. Constable Rolfe has indicated he intends to plead not guilty.

Kumanjayi Walker. Picture: AAP

Scott Weber, chief executive of the PFA, which describes itself the “national voice of policing”, said he was “absolutely appalled and disgusted” by the charge against Rolfe coming before the conclusion of any coronial or other inquiries.

His organisation’s 63,000 members were in shock and disbelief that the Northern Territory Police Force would so readily turn on one of its own, Mr Weber said.

“It was absolutely shocking for police officers around the country to see someone out there doing their job, protecting the community, get charged with murder,” Mr Weber told The Weekend Australian.

“We fear that police officers will now hesitate and put themselves at risk and the community at risk because they feel that when they are out there doing their jobs, they won’t have support from the police hierarchy, judges and politicians.”

The PFA on Friday issued a strongly-worded statement after representatives of all eight of its regional branches met in Adelaide. The statement expressed “full support” for Constable Rolfe and his family and promised legal aid.

The charge against Rolfe came after police investigators viewed body-worn camera footage and prepared a brief of evidence for the NT Director of Public Prosecutions. A murder charge requires DPP approval in the NT.

Mr Weber agreed that the evidence must have been compelling to justify a murder charge, which implies premeditation. But he argued that evidence made public to date painted a different picture. Police have said Walker “lunged” at the officers attempting to arrest him and stabbed Rolfe with an “edged weapon” before Rolfe allegedly shot him. Witnesses have disputed the police’ account.

“The police officer was protecting not only himself but his colleague and the community,” Mr Weber said.

“If there’s (more) information there, it should be released.”

Territory police immediate response teams are understood to support general duties policing. Although at least two of the officers of Rolfe’s Alice Springs-based group are ex-military, the team is not believed to have tactical training like the anti-terrorist Territory Response Group.

The Weekend Australian has previously revealed that Kumanjayi Walker used an axe to threaten local police officers who attempted to arrest him on 6 November.

Members of his family have said Walker had a mental disability and only wanted to scare those officers so he could escape. The local police officers are not believed to have drawn their guns at that time.