In 2019, 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker, a community member of the Yuendumu First Nations territory in Australia, was fatally shot by former Police Constable Zachary Rolfe during an attempted house arrest. The death sparked protests and brought light to the Australian police department’s treatment of indigenous populations. Former Officer Rolfe was brought to court and cleared, arguing that he had acted in self-defense after being stabbed in the shoulder with a pair of scissors by Walker in the midst of the confrontation. He retaliated with three bullets, which many cited as an extreme overreaction and evidence of an “adrenaline-seeking” police style. 

After Rolfe was cleared of murder charges, a mandatory coronial inquest into the death of Walker began. This style of inquest in Australia is a public inquiry into the circumstances of a person’s death conducted by a coroner, typically a magistrate with legal training. Elizabeth Armitage, previously a magistrate and now a local court judge, was assigned to the case and conducted the hearing. Judge Armitage concluded the case and found former Officer Rolfe to be “racist” while working in an organization that has “hallmarks of institutional racism.” She continued by explaining that the untimely death of Mr. Walker was “not the case of one bad apple.” The inquest concluded with over 30 recommendations by Judge Armitage aimed at improving relations and education of the Australian police department, including strengthening anti-racism policies and limiting when police carry guns within the Yuendumu community. 

Although Rolfe was dismissed as an officer in 2023 due to his criticisms of the North Territory Police Force as well as the coronial process, he was not relieved of his position as a direct result of the death of Walker. While he was cleared of murder charges, Judge Armitage found a clear pattern of Rolfe using excessive force and dehumanizing suspects throughout previous arrests and in his treatment of suspected criminals. She found that this may have contributed to his errors during the arrest. This pattern should have been looked at severely by the police department itself while Rolfe was still an officer, and he should have faced disciplinary action for the harm it caused during his time on the force. The North Territory Police Force must take the recommendations made by Judge Armitage to heart and change the way the force operates if it wishes to avoid unnecessary deaths in the future. 

While a coroner’s inquest is not legally binding in Australia, its findings by Judge Armitage provide a clear and concise path forward for the North Territory Police Force to adjust their politics and reaffirm their commitment to an anti-racist police force.