Yuendumu trial: Scrutiny grows over Zachary Rolfe arrest

The NT’s Independent Commissioner Against Corruption is considering whether to launch an inquiry into the ‘circumstances of the investigation and arrest’ of Zachary Rolfe.

The Northern Territory’s Independent Commissioner Against Corruption is considering whether to launch an inquiry into the “circumstances of the investigation and arrest” of police constable Zachary Rolfe.

The move comes as Chief Minister Michael Gunner on Tuesday denied any involvement in the charging process and threw his support behind NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker after Constable Rolfe’s father demanded he be sacked.

ICAC Commissioner Michael Riches said he was unaware of any action taken by his office between the November 2019 fatal shooting for which Constable Rolfe was charged with murder and the commencement of his own tenure in July 2021.

“Given the prosecution was already well under way when I started, I did not consider it appropriate to conduct inquiries at that time,” he said. “I am presently considering whether I should inquire into the circumstances of the investigation and arrest of Mr Rolfe. While I appreciate the public interest in the matter, I will not be rushed to decide whether or not I will investigate.”

Commissioner Riches’ predecessor, Ken Fleming, was forced to recuse himself from overseeing the police investigation after telling a crowd in Alice Springs anyone who disagreed with the notion black lives matter would be “guilty of corrupt behaviour”.

Constable Rolfe’s father, Richard Rolfe, this week complained that no commissioned officer had checked his son’s welfare since the arrest, “and they have persecuted him relentlessly”. He described NT Police as “the worst employer in the country” and said the force could only rebound if Commissioner Chalker lost his job.

Mr Gunner renewed his support for the embattled top cop, saying while his sympathies were with the Rolfe family, “Jamie Chalker is an absolute straight shooter”. “I’ve got complete confidence in the Police Commissioner,” he said.

He ruled out “conspiracy nut” requests for an independent inquiry, over and above a forthcoming coronial inquest and ICAC scrutiny.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said Mr Gunner’s rejection of calls for a separate inquiry was “insulting to every single police officer, the Rolfe family, the family of the deceased, and every Territorian who wants answers about this tragic ordeal”.

Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT issued a statement praising the resilience of Yuendumu residents “in the face of racism, police brutality and trauma”.

“Hopefully, this will be the last time that we see these kinds of traumatising policing tactics played out anywhere across this country,” the statement said.

“There needs to be an independent board of inquiry to restore community confidence in police and to examine police culture allowing racism to still exist.

“The inquiry must also examine a return to community policing and protocols that demonstrate respect for our people.”

The Australian can reveal internal government documents warning Yuendumu residents and friends and family of Constable Rolfe’s victim, Kumanjayi Walker, are likely to experience prolonged trauma. This could result in brain and nervous system damage in children and risk-taking behaviour by some community members, including “emotional responses being directed towards … targets including police, health, businesses, family”.

The warning is contained in a secret whole-of-government response prepared two days before a jury found Constable Rolfe not guilty of murder. The document anticipates the conclusion of the trial “will not bring closure for many people affected by this event”.