A group of current and former Aboriginal Community Police Officers (ACPOs) has launched a class action lawsuit against the Northern Territory government and the police force. The legal challenge, filed in the Federal Court, alleges that these officers faced decades of systemic racial discrimination, underpayment, and persistent verbal abuse while serving in communities across the territory. The case covers the period from 1998 to 2025 and seeks compensation for the harm caused by these working conditions.
Lead applicant Shawn Lewfatt, who joined the force in 1998, stated that his experience was marked by dehumanizing treatment. He and other plaintiffs claim that non-Indigenous colleagues frequently used racial slurs and derogatory language when referring to both the Aboriginal officers and the Indigenous community members they were tasked to protect. This environment, they argue, went beyond isolated incidents and represented a normalized culture of contempt within the force.
Beyond the allegations of verbal abuse, the lawsuit highlights significant disparities in employment. The plaintiffs contend that ACPOs were consistently underpaid and denied the same career advancement opportunities as their non-Indigenous counterparts, despite often performing similar duties. Lawyers representing the officers argue that the very structure of the ACPO role, which involves lower pay and fewer protections, is inherently discriminatory.
The class action follows years of mounting pressure on the Northern Territory Police Force to address internal culture issues. Previous inquiries, including the inquest into the 2019 shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, have previously brought to light evidence of entrenched racist attitudes within sections of the service. While the police commissioner recently issued an apology for past harms, many officers involved in the lawsuit have criticized that gesture as insufficient and insensitive to their specific experiences.
As the case moves through the Federal Court, the outcome could have significant implications for the future of policing in the Northern Territory. The legal proceedings are expected to further scrutinize the relationship between the police force and the Indigenous communities it serves. For now, the public and the legal system await the government's formal response to these serious allegations.