The Northern Territory anti-corruption watchdog will investigate the decision to prosecute a policeman for murder after he fatally shot an Aboriginal teenager.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner has previously denied politically interfering in the process before Constable Zachary Rolfe was charged over the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, in 2019.
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Michael Riches on Tuesday confirmed he would examine allegations of improper conduct related to Const Rolfe’s arrest and the process that led to the murder charge being laid.
“My investigation will focus upon the period between the shooting incident and the presentation of Mr Rolfe for charging,” Mr Riches said on Tuesday.
Const Rolfe, 30, was found not guilty earlier in the month of murdering Mr Walker, 19, during a failed outback arrest on November 9, 2019 in Yuendumu, 290km northwest of Alice Springs.
His five-week trial in Darwin divided the community and caused outrage among many members of NT police.
After he was acquitted the NT Police Association, Opposition politicians and Const Rolfe’s legal team alleged political interference may have affected the decision to prosecute the constable.
They say the chief minister should not have told the Yuendumu community that “consequences will flow” during an address three days after Const Rolfe shot Mr Walker.
Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker has also denied the allegation, saying he did not attend a meeting with Mr Gunner and the Department of Public Prosecutions before Const Rolfe was charged a day later.
Mr Gunner has previously said his address to mourners on November 12 was a reference to an upcoming coronial inquest into Mr Walker’s death and the fact there would be outcomes, findings and recommendations that flowed from it.
A transcript of his statement says: “I know the coroner will listen to you. The coroner will seek to answer those questions you have, those questions I have. What happened that night and why, so justice can be done. I can promise you that investigation will be independent and consequences will flow as a result.”
The commissioner said he may hold a public inquiry to hear from some witnesses.
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
