Northern Territory police commissioner Jamie Chalker has defended the handling of a murder investigation after a policeman fatally shot an Aboriginal teen.

March 15, 2022

The Northern Territory police commissioner has defended his force’s handling of a murder investigation into a policeman who fatally shot an Aboriginal teenager.

Jamie Chalker says allegations that the decision to prosecute Constable Zachary Rolfe, 30, was politically interfered with are factually incorrect and damage the community’s trust in the criminal justice system.

“From the outset, I have been clear that the integrity of the criminal judicial process had to be maintained once charges were laid following the death of Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu on Saturday 9 November 2019,” he said in a statement.

Mr Chalker said normal processes were followed by the NT police force and director of public prosecutions before Const Rolfe was charged.

“Such unfounded allegations are an affront to the critical independence of the NT police and the DPP and damage the trust and confidence in the criminal justice system which must be held by the community,” he said.

His statement comes after Const Rolfe was on Friday acquitted of intentionally killing Mr Walker, 19, following an at-times heated and emotional five-week trial that divided many Territorians.

Immediately after the verdict, defence lawyer David Edwardson QC took to the steps of the Supreme Court in Darwin where he criticised unnamed public figures for their comments before Const Rolfe was charged and lambasted the police investigation.

NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro was also critical in the wake of the trial, saying Chief Minister Michael Gunner had “serious questions to answer over the appearance of political interference” after he visited Yuendumu, 290km northwest of Alice Springs, a day before Const Rolfe was charged with murder.

Mr Gunner told the remote community of about 800 that a coronial inquest was needed “so justice can be done” three days after Mr Walker died.

He also said, “I can promise you that investigation will be independent and consequences will flow as a result”.

Mr Gunner on Monday denied interfering in the investigation or prosecution, saying the allegations had “inflamed an already tragic situation”.

But Ms Finocchiaro has since said Mr Gunner inserted himself into an active police investigation and promised an emotionally charged community a certain outcome.

“It does not matter what stage of the process Mr Gunner was referring to – the criminal investigation or a coronial,” she said on Tuesday.

“He told the Yuendumu community that, in his eyes, something had gone wrong.”

Ms Finocchiaro and the NT Police Association have called for an independent inquiry into the chain of events leading to Const Rolfe being charged.

“If the chief minister, police minister or police commissioner know they have in any way, shape or form, compromised this investigation they should stand down immediately,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

Meanwhile, Aboriginal Peak Organisations Australia NT also wants an independent inquiry, calling for police culture and allegations of racism and excessive force to be examined.

It says the probe is needed to rebuild community trust in the police.