Northern Territory Police have told Constable Zachary Rolfe they intend to sack him from the police force.
Sources have confirmed Constable Rolfe’s lawyers were sent a letter on Thursday notifying them of the planned termination.
He has been given two weeks to respond.
It is understood the decision relates to an open letter attributed to Constable Rolfe that was published on Facebook and in other news outlets in February.
Constable Rolfe shot dead Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker during a botched arrest attempt at Yuendumu on November 9, 2019.
He was charged with Mr Walker’s murder four days later but found not guilty by a jury in early 2022.
In the open letter, Constable Rolfe complained about his treatment by police and the Northern Territory judicial system.
He said the Northern Territory Police Force had wasted millions of dollars disciplining him rather than giving him a medal.
“Despite this, the coronial focus is still on me rather than on areas that could improve the circumstances of the NT,” he wrote.
The constable also sought to explain a series of texts in which he used derogatory terms towards Indigenous people, calling it “playground” language.
“I have used rude and racist terms regarding nearly every race, most often my own,” he said.
Constable Rolfe’s letter referred to Mr Walker as a man with a “violent past.”
“Walker was a young man with a violent past who abused many in his community, including young girls and boys,” he wrote.
The letter notifying Constable Rolfe of his termination was sent just a day before the Northern Territory government told Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker they had lost confidence in him and asked him to resign.
Zachary Rolfe and the NT Police have been contacted for comment.
News Source: www.skynews.com.au
