Text messages about a Northern Territory police officer before he shot an Aboriginal teenager again dominated the investigation into the death.
Kumanjayi Walker, 19, died after Officer Zachary Rolfe shot him three times during an arrest attempt in Yuendumu, northwest of Alice Springs, on November 9, 2019.
The officer was acquitted at trial in March of the murder of Mr. Walker amid allegations that his use of force after Mr. Walker stabbed him was brutal.
The Alice Springs investigation into the death of the Warlpiri man was heard on Monday. Const Rolfe sent and received a number of text messages in the months leading up to the shooting, referring to the natives as “bush cocks”, “niggers” and “dirty whores”.
In a message, Officer Rolfe said, “I am always ready to turn my (body-worn) camera in the other direction” as I discuss the arrest of a thug where a colleague allegedly “lost the shit”.
He also called senior officers investigating a colleague for his allegedly brutal “gay fuck” conduct.
When asked about the posts and the use of terms like “bush dogs”, Deputy Commissioner Travis Wurst said it was “disgusting”.
“It is inappropriate. It is not the language (of the Northern Territory Police). It is not the language of our community. It does not reflect who we are,” he told the coroner.
“This language undermines the culture of being a police officer in this agency and what it means to wear this uniform.”
Mr. Wurst said he was unaware that the officers were using racist language, saying he needed to be investigated.
“(To) understand where this language comes from and why it is even used,” he said.
“It would have been the most appropriate way to handle it, because it could be about the individual, it could be about their own personal prejudices, or it could be a reaction to something they’ve been exposed to.”
He rejected the idea that officers could “let off steam” and agreed that it could lead to the dehumanization of the natives.
“It indicates someone’s personal bias towards a cultural group that has the ability to affect their ability to do their job,” he said.
“A job that we must do without fear or favor, and objectively and you cannot let that language penetrate the workplace or any private environment”.
Investigations continue on Tuesday.