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 on Tuesday.
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” when 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”.
NT Police Association president Paul McCue has said “political interference was alive” when Mr Gunner made his “consequences will flow” comment.
Mr Gunner has since denied interfering in the investigation or prosecution, saying the allegations had “inflamed an already tragic situation”.
Const Rolfe was also found not guilty of the two alternative charges of manslaughter and violent act causing death.
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