Warning: this article contains descriptions and images of racist terminology some readers may find offensive and distressing.
Explosive evidence of alleged racism within the Northern Territory police force has been made public, following an order from the NT coroner.
during the coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, whom Rolfe shot and killed during a botched police operation in 2019.
Rolfe told the coroner’s court of racist awards allegedly handed out amongst members of the Territory Response Group, of which he was a member.
Coroner Elizabeth Armitage on Monday lifted the suppression order on several of the alleged awards, which Rolfe tendered as evidence during the long-running inquest.
The first depicts an Aboriginal flag with the Territory Response Group (TRG) logo in the corner with the words “CAUTION for a RAPE… that’s all that needs to be said”.
One of the awards allegedly given out to a TRG member, submitted as evidence by Zachary Rolfe during the inquest into Kumanjayi Walker’s death.
The award appears to be from 2013 and the name of the receiving constable is redacted.
The second certificate from 2012 depicts the TRG logo and an image of a police rescue vehicle chasing Usain Bolt.
The words “Runner up SOOTY AWARD, for outstanding lack of excellence in approaching a stronghold” are printed.
The TRG logo is also on the final 2012 award, depicting a naked man lying on his back and a woman wearing revealing clothing.
The words include “award for outstanding lack of excellence in cooking sausages”.
NT Commissioner Michael Murphy said he was “taking the certificates as true” though they have not been officially verified.
“It’s absolutely disgraceful and abhorrent, I won’t stand for that type of culture in the Northern Territory police,” he said on Monday.
