A warning this story contains racist and offensive language and images. Three of the Northern Territory’s serving First Nations police officers have filed a human rights complaint against the force and the Territory government, alleging systemic racism and unequal pay. The action’s on behalf of around 20 Aboriginal Community Police Officers and spans two decades of service.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00The Northern Territory's Aboriginal Community Police officers are a crucial liaison in the
00:08jurisdiction with Australia's highest First Nations incarceration rates, but the lawyers
00:13for three serving officers allege they've experienced racial vilification and unequal
00:18pay due to systemic racism.
00:21Most of them joined the police force so that they could help their community and were put
00:26in positions where they were either subject to racism themselves or saw racism being dealt
00:35out to members of the community.
00:37The three complainants, representing a broader group of around 20 current and former officers,
00:43have filed a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
00:47Last month, Police Commissioner Michael Murphy apologised at Garma Festival for historical
00:51injustices perpetrated by the force.
00:55Nothing doesn't achieve what needs to happen here.
00:58The apology followed months of scrutiny sparked by allegations members handed out racist awards.
01:04The Commissioner says while he can't comment specifically on the complaint, it's positive
01:08members feel confident to speak up about issues like racism.
01:13And the force has brought in senior Arranda lawyer Leanne Little to spearhead cultural
01:17reform.
01:18The complaint also targets the Territory Government, but the new Chief Minister says the allegations
01:23are historic and she's focused on the future.
01:27The previous Territory Government tasked the local Anti-Discrimination Commissioner with
01:31reviewing police systems to deal with racism.
01:34A review he says could have canvassed issues like those raised to the federal watchdog.
01:39But when asked by the ABC, the new Chief Minister Leah Finocchiaro wouldn't commit to funding
01:44the review.
01:45If the officers' complaint can't be resolved through mediation, the next step is the federal
01:50court.