Inquiry Reveals "Institutional Racism" in Police Killing of Aboriginal Teen

A public inquiry into the 2019 shooting of Aboriginal teenager Kumanjayi Walker revealed that racist attitudes were ingrained within the police department, contributing to the teen's death. The findings underscore ongoing issues of systemic racism and police brutality facing Indigenous communities in Australia.

A public inquiry into the police shooting of Aboriginal teenager Kumanjayi Walker has unveiled alarming evidence of institutional racism within the Northern Territory Police Department. The coroner, Elisabeth Armitage, stated in her findings on July 7, 2025, that she could not dismiss the influence of racial bias held by Constable Zachary Rolfe, the officer involved in the fatal incident.

Walker, 19, was shot three times during an arrest attempt in his community of Yuendumu in 2019, an event that sparked widespread protests highlighting the disproportionate mistreatment of Indigenous Australians by law enforcement. The inquiry revealed that Rolfe had a history of violent interactions with Aboriginal people and had previously shared videos of such arrests for entertainment, despite multiple complaints against his conduct.

Constable Rolfe was charged with murder after the incident, though he claimed self-defense following being stabbed in the shoulder by Walker. He was acquitted in 2022, which fueled public outrage and strained relations between police and Indigenous communities.

In delivering her findings in Yuendumu, Armitage stated, “I am satisfied that Mr. Rolfe was racist and that he worked in and was the beneficiary of an organization with hallmarks of institutional racism.” Her presentation took place close to Walker’s grandmother’s home where the tragic event unfolded, underscoring the profound impact of this case on the community.

The inquiry serves as a pivotal moment in addressing the deep-rooted issues of race, policing, and accountability within Australia, painting a stark picture of the systemic racism that persists in law enforcement practices against Indigenous populations.