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A racist email sent by police implying that it is better to keep black people in jail has resurfaced in the wake of an investigation into systemic racism.
In 2008, members of the Northern Territory Police’s elite Territorial Response Group (TRG) circulated a mock-up of what one member called an “indigenous monopoly”.
The photo, which was sent via email, changed all the squares of a traditional Monopoly board game to “go to jail” squares and was directed at TRG members.
NT Police and the Territory’s Independent Anti-Corruption Commissioner are jointly investigating racist ‘nuggadah’ awards given to group members who demonstrated a lack of intelligence and personal hygiene.
The investigation is ongoing and began with the evidence provided. by former agent Zach Rolfe, who testified that the award was dubbed the “c**n of the year award.”
An email circulated among members of the Northern Territory Police’s elite Territorial Response Group featured a racist meme called “indigenous monopoly”.
NT Police and the Territory’s Independent Anti-Corruption Commissioner are jointly investigating racist ‘nuggadah’ awards allegedly dubbed ‘c**n of the year awards’
Rolfe, who has never been a member of the TRG, gave evidence at an inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker in February.
Sergeant Meacham King, a member of the TRG since 2003, rejected Rolfe’s claim. in a legal declaration declaring that no such award existed.
“I would not tolerate such an abhorrent award or the use of such racist language,” he said.
‘The TRG is not racist. Systemic racism does not exist in the TRG.’.
Senior Sergeant Mark Clemmens has led the TRG since 2021 and also refuted Rolfe’s claims.
“I champion a culture of high performance and wellbeing, respect, fairness and professionalism,” Sgt Clemmens told the coroner.
tThere is no suggestion that Sergeant King or Sergeant Clemmens sent the email in question.
Upon review, Sergeant Clemmens said the award had been renamed the Voldemort Prize “due to what we considered the possibility that the invented name could be perceived or interpreted as derogatory or racist.”
“However, before this careful analysis, it simply did not occur to me that it could be perceived or interpreted that way,” he said.
The sergeant major said he was “disgusted” by Mr Rofle’s allegations against the TSG.
Former officer Zach Rolfe gave evidence against the force at an inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker in February.
Sergeant Clemmens said he realized it was unlikely the agency would be able to refute Mr Rofle’s claims immediately due to the ongoing coronial process.
That is why I feared that the unit would be “Immediately afterwards, he was branded racist and unprofessional.
“All of our prodigious work serving and protecting our community, even within remote communities, and our reputation as a high-performing tactical unit would be tarnished and our professionalism questioned,” Sergeant Clemmens said.
Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said he would take Mr Rofle’s claims at face value after seeing the “Absolutely disgraceful and abhorrent” award that included an Aboriginal flag on the certificate.
An NT Police spokeswoman he told NT News that “racism in any form is abhorrent and unacceptable.”
“There is an ongoing investigation, led by the ICAC, into the allegations and NT Police are working with the ICAC to ensure a full and impartial examination of the circumstances surrounding the allegations,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the NT police force was “deeply committed to maintaining the public’s trust”.