Truth telling remains crucial in combatting police racism

For the NLC, systemic racism in the NT Police Force, both the Tactical Response Group (TRG) and more generally, is not just a relic of the past. Our communities continue to share their stories of discrimination and injustice at the hands of law enforcement.

Despite uncovering evidence of historical racist conduct, perpetuating harmful stereotypes of Aboriginal people, the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) has decided to close its probe into TRG without adverse findings or further investigation.

ICAC concluded there was no admissible evidence to warrant individual charges or resources for further inquiry into NT Police. These findings and the subsequent decision to halt further investigations fail to reflect the lived realities of Aboriginal people across the Top End.

The NLC will not accept any attempt to minimise or dismiss these harmful practices as isolated or historic. The ICAC’s failure to hold individuals or the institution accountable undermines the gravity of the issue and reinforces mistrust in the system.

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy’s own acknowledgment of the “police service’s historical and ongoing impacts on Aboriginal communities”, followed by apologies at the NLC’s most recent Full Council Meeting as well as Garma Festival earlier year, are important steps in the right direction.

For ICAC to now come out and gaslight Aboriginal Territorians by denying racism beyond 2015, only damages reconciliation efforts, including those that are currently being made by the NT Police.

The NLC calls on NT Government and the NT Police to continue to take meaningful steps toward addressing systemic racism.

The NT Government says they are “tough on crime”, and we want this to extend beyond Darwin. Law and order must be upheld in our communities; NT Police need to be properly directed and resourced to ensure this.
 

The NLC has also experienced some instances where NT Police appear reluctant to uphold the law on Aboriginal Land and Waters. It is our hope that NT Police and other relevant authorities can work more closely with our Permits Officers and Aboriginal Rangers on compliance.
 
We are already having conversations with NT Police to support cross-cultural training in the NLC’s seven regions.

It is crucial that NT Police continue to engage directly with Aboriginal communities to rebuild trust as well as establish independent oversight to investigate all complaints of racial discrimination.

Quotes attributable to NLC Chair Matthew Ryan:

“Things can only improve if we start with truth telling.

“This flawed report by ICAC on the NT Police, and especially that there will be no further investigation, is disappointing.

“It goes against what the NLC hears from our people on the ground. ICAC coming out and saying racism has not been a problem in the last decade, just makes everyone have even less trust in the systems, and that things will get any better.

“The NLC will continue to demand change to ensure that our constituents feel safe, respected, and heard.

“We ask the NT Police Force to work with Aboriginal leaders and communities to confront the issues that continue today.”