Indigenous Police Officers Sue NT Government Over Alleged Racial Abuse and Underpayment
A group of Aboriginal community police officers (ACPOs) in the Northern Territory (NT) have launched a class-action lawsuit against the NT government and the NT police force. The lawsuit alleges systemic racial discrimination, widespread use of racist slurs against Indigenous colleagues and community members, and underpayment for ACPOs. These alleged discriminatory practices and abuses have reportedly spanned nearly three decades. The class action represents ACPOs who worked in the NT between 1998 and 2025. The lead plaintiff is Shawn Lewfatt, a Darwin resident who has worked as an ACPO since 1998. Lewfatt stated that his long tenure in the role has made him dread wearing his uniform. The claims include being subjected to racist language and receiving less pay for performing the same duties as non-Indigenous colleagues.
This class-action lawsuit highlights significant governance and human resource management challenges within the Northern Territory police force concerning its Indigenous officers. The allegations of systemic racial abuse and pay inequity, if proven, suggest a failure in upholding equal opportunity principles and potentially violating employment laws. Such systemic issues can erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, impacting recruitment and retention of Indigenous personnel. Addressing these allegations requires a thorough review of internal policies, cultural competency training, and accountability mechanisms to ensure fair treatment and equitable compensation for all officers, regardless of their background. The long duration of the alleged misconduct points to potential deep-seated cultural issues that may require comprehensive reform over the next decade.
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