Jul 7, 06:55 AM

Coroner Says Racism Fueled 2019 Police Killing of Aboriginal Teen

Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage on 7 July released a 600-page report concluding that former police constable Zachary Rolfe, who fatally shot Indigenous teenager Kumanjayi Walker in 2019, was racist and operated within a police culture marked by “institutional racism.” Armitage said Walker’s death was avoidable and could not rule out Rolfe’s racist attitudes as a contributing factor. Walker, 19, was shot three times during an attempted arrest at his home in the remote community of Yuendumu on 9 November 2019. Rolfe, who was stabbed in the shoulder with scissors during the encounter, argued self-defence and was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges by a jury in March 2022. He was dismissed from the Northern Territory Police Force in 2023 after publicly criticising the force and the coronial process. The coroner found Rolfe’s attraction to “adrenaline-style policing” and his contempt for colleagues fostered “officer-induced jeopardy” that escalated the confrontation. Her report issued 33 recommendations, including stronger anti-racism measures, limits on firearms use in remote Aboriginal communities, and public reporting on compliance. Acting Police Commissioner Martin Dole said the force would study the recommendations in consultation with Indigenous leaders.

#Northern Territory #Elisabeth Armitage #Zachary Rolfe #Indigenous #Kumanjayi Walker #Armitage #Walker #Rolfe #Yuendumu #Northern Territory Police Force #Aboriginal #Martin Dole

Written with ChatGPT .

Coroner Says Racism Fueled 2019 Police Killing of Aboriginal Teen

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