• A landmark inquiry finds systemic racism in the police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker.
• Coroner concludes that racist behavior was normalized in the police force.
• Walker was one of 598 Indigenous people to die in custody since 1991.
• Recommendations include improved police training and anti-racism strategies.

An inquiry into the police shooting of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker highlights a culture of systemic racism within the Northern Territory police. The findings emerged nearly five years after Walker was fatally shot by Constable Zachary Rolfe, who was acquitted of murder in 2022. According to Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage, "Racist behaviour was normalized" within Rolfe’s Alice Springs police station, indicating that such attitudes contributed significantly to the shooting incident, which led to nationwide protests against Indigenous deaths in custody. Walker's death is one among 598 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fatalities recorded since 1991, according to India Times, Al Jazeera, and TRT Global.

Coroner Armitage’s extensive report concluded that Rolfe exhibited "racist" tendencies that were intertwined with the “high adrenaline policing” culture in which he was immersed. The inquiry revealed instances of “grotesque examples of racism” at police ceremonies that received no complaints over a decade. Rolfe's attraction to aggressive policing was evident in his text messages, showcasing his contempt for senior officers and remote policing strategies. These behaviors, according to Armitage, increased the chances of a fatal encounter during the attempted arrest in the remote outback town of Yuendumu, as reported by BBC and Al Jazeera.

The inquest also stressed the importance of addressing the systemic issue of racism in policing, as Walker's family noted a belief that Rolfe was indicative of a broader pattern rather than "a bad egg." This sentiment emphasizes the need for "community-control" and self-determination for Indigenous peoples as a crucial step toward bettering their societal conditions. Additionally, the recommendations include enhancements in police training and the publicizing of anti-racism strategies to ensure accountability, as outlined by India Times and TRT Global.

In light of these findings, the Northern Territory police expressed intentions to learn from the inquiry's outcomes. Acting Commissioner Martin Dole stated that this process was "a long and painful journey," emphasizing the importance of the lessons derived from the painful history surrounding the treatment of Indigenous people within law enforcement authorities, according to BBC.