Aboriginal community police officers sue NT over racial abuse and underpayment
Consensus Summary
Aboriginal community police officers in the Northern Territory are suing the NT government and police force over allegations of systemic racial abuse, discrimination, and underpayment spanning nearly three decades. The lawsuit, led by Shawn Lewfatt, who joined in 1998, follows a terminated Human Rights Commission complaint and alleges widespread use of racist slurs, unequal pay, and failure by senior personnel to address abuse. The case is set to go before the Federal Court later this month, with lawyers seeking a trial in 2027. Both sources confirm the lawsuit involves hundreds of current and former officers, with the NT Police acknowledging the legal proceedings but declining further comment. The ABC also references the 2019 coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, which found entrenched racism within the force.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A class action lawsuit was filed in July by Gordon Legal on behalf of Aboriginal community police officers (Acpos) who worked in the NT between 1998 and 2025
- Shawn Lewfatt, a Darwin man, has served as an Acpo since 1998 and is a lead applicant in the lawsuit
- The lawsuit alleges systemic racial discrimination, underpayment, and use of racist slurs against Indigenous colleagues and community members spanning nearly three decades
- The class action follows a terminated Human Rights Commission complaint in May (Guardian) or September 2024 (ABC)
- The case is due to go before the Federal Court later this month, with lawyers seeking a trial in 2027
- The lawsuit alleges Acpos were paid significantly less than non-Indigenous constables for similar work
- The NT Police Force has been contacted for comment but declined to provide further details
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Lewfatt took medical leave two years ago due to the toll of racism and abuse
- The lawsuit alleges racial vilification, hate speech, and systemic failure by senior personnel to address abuse
- About 60 Acpos were employed at any one time, potentially impacting hundreds
- Lewfatt described hearing slurs like 'boong,' 'coons,' 'gins,' 'lubras,' 'slappos,' and violent language such as 'I feel better now that I’ve got to smash those coons'
- The Human Rights Commission complaint was terminated in May
- The lawsuit references the 2019 coronial inquest into the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker, which found 'clear evidence of entrenched, systemic and structural racism' within NT Police
- NT Police released an anti-racism strategy after the inquest, committing to anti-racism training for all employees
- The Human Rights Commission complaint was made in September 2024 and terminated after 60 days, prompting the lawsuit
- Lewfatt said he joined the force in 1998 and has served for almost 30 years
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the Human Rights Commission complaint was terminated in May, while the ABC states it was terminated in September 2024
- The Guardian mentions the lawsuit was lodged in July, but the ABC does not specify a month for the filing date
Source Articles
Aboriginal community police officers sue NT authorities over alleged racial abuse and discrimination
Class action claims Indigenous staff were called slurs, exposed to racist language and paid less for doing the same work Warning: This article contains racist and offensive language directed at First Nations people Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Aboriginal community police officers are suing the Northern Territory government and the NT police force alleging systemic discrimination and underpayment, the widespread use of racist slurs against Indigenous colleagues and
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