Investigation into NT Police racist awards concludes no adverse findings
An ICAC investigation into whether awards handed out by the elite Territory Response Group were racist has found no admissible evidence against any of the five named police officers.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has made no adverse findings against any member of the NT Police following an investigation into racist awards handed out amongst personnel.
Patricia Kelly SC – the person leading the investigation while ICAC Commissioner Michael Riches remains on indefinite leave – found there is no admissible evidence of any conduct of the five named police officers which warrants any further investigation or any potential charge against them.
In a statement Ms Kelly said, “Some of these certificates from 2007, 2013 and 2015 are evidently on their face racist. It is difficult to conclude how any person of reasonable intelligence could conclude otherwise.”
Ms Kelly later cited a letter by Commissioner Riches to the Police Commissioner in March.
“He did not see any utility in pursing an investigation with a view to making adverse findings against general members of the TRG.
“He noted that such an approach would no doubt result in the taking of entrenched adversarial positions, creating unnecessary and undesirable delay in addressing the important issues which needed to be addressed,” Ms Kelly said.
In Feburary, former territory Constable Zachary Rolfe made explosive allegations of systemic racism within the NT Police while giving evidence at the coronial inquest into the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker.
He told the coroner of racist mock awards for “c**n of the year”, allegedly handed out amongst members of the Territory Response Group of which he was a member.
Mr Rolfe submitted three photos of the informal awards into evidence dating back to 2012 and 2013 including one printed on an Aboriginal flag.
Five NT police officers gave sworn statements to the court denying Mr Rolfe’s allegations, instead arguing the Nuggadah award was given for poor hygiene and was not related to race.
The ICAC and NT Police launched a joint investigation into the awards, and to determine whether the five officers had lied to the court in their affidavits.
The NT Police force says it accepts the conclusions of the ICAC report.
“The Northern Territory Police Force has made and will continue to make significant strides in driving institutional change,” they wrote in a statement.
“There is no place for racism or discrimination within our ranks.”
Longstanding NT Independent member for Mulka, Yingiya Guyula, told NITV he is frustrated by the report and its findings.
“The ICAC outcome … reinforces the understanding that often there is no justice for Blak people, and this is the story that our children grow up with,” he said.
The statement also cited the new anti-racism strategy being led by Central Arrernte woman Leanne Liddle.
Dr Liddle leads a command dedicated to addressing racism within the Northern Territory Police Force.
Her appointment followed the revelations made by Mr Rolfe in May, among other allegations of racist attitudes within NT Police.
“The ICAC Delegate acknowledged the important advancement and work being undertaken by the police force, particularly with the work of Executive Director Ms Leanne Liddle to reform culture through employment opportunities, training and an anti-racism strategy,” the statement read.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has welcomed the outcome.
In a statement shortly after the report was released, she said “the CLP has never supported the view that there is systemic racism within the Northern Territory police force.”
“This report puts those claims to bed,” the statement reads.
Yingiya Guyula told NITV that the ICAC report has contradictory findings and that Ms Finocchiaro’s response lacks compassion and understanding.
“The Chief Minister’s response to the report states that the Government don’t believe ‘systemic racism’ exists in the police force, and that this investigation was ‘distressing’ for the police,” he said.
“This response completely ignores and compounds the distress that Aboriginal people feel when they hear that NT Government public servants celebrated over many years the ‘C**n of the Year’ awards for when someone is doing a bad job.”
Human Rights Lawyer Dana Levitt is currently working on a human rights complaint on behalf of three serving Aboriginal police officers alleging 20 years of racial discrimination at NT Police.
Ms Levitt told NITV the report shows a complete lack of political will to do anything about the institutional and systemic racism that exists.
“This report and investigation and the Chief Minister’s response are gas lighting at an institutional and government level,” she said.
“It suggests that the lived experiences of police officers and the Aboriginal community are not real.”
The conclusion of the ICAC investigation comes just weeks away from the final two days of the long running coronial inquest into the shooting death of Warlpiri teen Kumanjayi Walker.
The 19-year-old was fatally shot by former Constable Zachary Rolfe during an attempted arrest in Yuendumu, 300 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs.
In 20-22 Mr Rolfe was acquitted of murder, manslaughter and engaging in a violent act causing death.
The Coroner will hold a final two days of hearings at Alice Springs local court on November 27-28 for final oral submissions.
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