The prolonged inquest into the 2019 shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, a 19-year-old Aboriginal man, has unveiled troubling evidence of institutional racism within the Northern Territory Police. Coroner Elisabeth Armitage delivered her findings in the outback community of Yuendumu, where Walker was shot three times by Constable Zachary Rolfe during an attempted arrest. The report states that Rolfe operated in a culture where his racist attitudes were normalized, contributing to a climate of violence against Aboriginal individuals.
Prior to the shooting, the police department ignored multiple complaints regarding Rolfe's aggressive conduct towards Aboriginal people, with evidence of him sharing videos of violent arrests casually among friends and family. Though charged with murder—a rare occurrence for an officer during duty—Rolfe was acquitted in 2022, escalating public outcry and protests against systemic discrimination faced by Indigenous Australians.
The incident reignited discussions on the police use of force against Aboriginal communities, particularly after Walker stabbed Rolfe in a dispute prior to being shot. The coroner underscored that Rolfe's actions reflected a broader problem within the police force that enables racism. Armitage stated, "I am satisfied that Mr. Rolfe was racist and that he worked in and was the beneficiary of an organization with hallmarks of institutional racism," during her address to the community, emphasizing the need for accountability and reform in policing practices.
