Coroner Elisabeth Armitage labeled Constable Zachary Rolfe "racist" in her findings on the shooting of Aboriginal teenager Kumanjayi Walker. The inquest revealed systemic racism in the Northern Territory police and made several recommendations for reform.
Inquest Findings Reveal Racism in Death of Aboriginal Teen Kumanjayi Walker
Inquest Findings Reveal Racism in Death of Aboriginal Teen Kumanjayi Walker
A coroner's inquest into the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 has concluded that the police officer involved exhibited racism and that systemic issues within the Northern Territory police contributed to the tragedy.
The coroner's inquest into the shooting death of Indigenous teenager Kumanjayi Walker has delivered a startling verdict, finding that the police officer responsible for his death, Constable Zachary Rolfe, displayed "racist" tendencies and was influenced by an adrenaline-driven approach to policing. Walker, only 19 years old, succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted by Rolfe during a home arrest in Yuendumu in November 2019.
Judge Elisabeth Armitage presided over the inquest and delivered her findings during an open-air presentation in Yuendumu, located approximately 300 km (190 miles) northwest of Alice Springs. The extensive report discussed over 600 pages, highlighted substantial evidence of systemic and structural racism prevailing within the Northern Territory police force. Judge Armitage emphasized that Walker's death was "avoidable," condemning the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
Rolfe, who was later acquitted of murder charges in 2022, previously faced public outcry regarding Indigenous deaths in custody. The judge noted that his behavior was not an isolated incident but a reflection of a culture within the Alice Springs police station, where racist language and conduct have become normalized.
While Armitage could not definitively ascertain if Rolfe's racist attitudes contributed to the confrontation leading to Walker's death, she indicated that the possibility cannot be ruled out. The tension escalated when Rolfe and another officer attempted to arrest Walker, who had a history of trauma and mental health issues, and had previously threatened police with an axe.
After engaging in a scuffle, Walker stabbed Rolfe with scissors, leading Rolfe to shoot him without warning, a decision debated during his trial. Judge Armitage criticized Rolfe for creating a dangerous environment that led to the use of deadly force. She remarked on Rolfe's perception of police confrontations as exhilarating, urging necessary changes within the police field.
In light of her findings, Judge Armitage proposed 32 recommendations aimed at addressing the identified systemic issues. These recommendations included the establishment of mutual respect agreements to reduce the armed presence of police in Yuendumu, enhancing anti-racism strategies, and promoting transparency in their implementation.
Walker’s family has expressed the profound impact of the report, with cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown describing the findings as overwhelming. The Northern Territory Police acknowledged the painful experience of the inquest and emphasized their determination to learn and improve from the revelations. As part of NT law, all deaths in custody are mandated to undergo thorough investigations, yet the findings remain non-binding, highlighting ongoing concerns about accountability and reform within the system.
