Inquiry Reveals Racism Concerns in Northern Territory Police Following Kumanjayi Walker's Death
Father of Zachary Rolfe tells inquest more must be done to fight ‘widespread racist behaviour’ in NT police
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Richard Rolfe, father of former Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe, testified at a federal inquiry, urging reforms to address racism within the police force. His comments followed the 2019 shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, which raised significant concerns about institutional racism in the Northern Territory, Australia.
- 01Richard Rolfe calls for action against racism in the Northern Territory police force.
- 02Zachary Rolfe shot Kumanjayi Walker during an arrest attempt in November 2019.
- 03A coroner's report highlighted institutional racism within the NT police.
- 04Evidence of racist behavior, including awards for racist conduct, was presented at the inquiry.
- 05Current NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has been criticized for resisting police reform.
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Richard Rolfe, the father of Zachary Rolfe, who fatally shot Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu, Northern Territory, Australia, has called for greater efforts to combat racism within the Northern Territory police force during a federal inquiry. Zachary Rolfe shot Walker on 9 November 2019 after Walker allegedly attacked him with scissors. Rolfe was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges in March 2022 but was later dismissed from the police for unrelated reasons. Richard Rolfe's submission to the inquiry highlighted systemic racism, citing incidents such as annual awards for racist behavior within the police and instances of inappropriate behavior by officers. Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings in July 2025 indicated a troubling culture of racism in the police, stating that while she could not definitively link Zachary Rolfe's attitudes to Walker's death, the possibility could not be ruled out. The inquiry aims to address racism and violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with further hearings planned across Australia.
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The inquiry's findings could lead to significant reforms in the Northern Territory police, potentially improving community relations and addressing systemic racism.
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