Aboriginal community police officers in the Northern Territory are launching a class action lawsuit against the NT government and police force, alleging systemic discrimination, underpayment, and nearly three decades of racial abuse and vilification.
This lawsuit highlights serious allegations of systemic racism and discrimination within the Northern Territory police force, potentially impacting hundreds of Aboriginal officers and raising questions about workplace conduct and equal pay for Indigenous employees.
Aboriginal community police officers in the Northern Territory are suing the NT government and police force, alleging systemic discrimination, underpayment, and nearly three decades of racial abuse and vilification. The class action, filed in federal court by Gordon Legal, represents officers who worked in the NT between 1998 and 2025.
Lead plaintiff Shawn Lewfatt, an Acpo since 1998, described witnessing and experiencing racist slurs such as 'boong', 'coons', 'gins', and 'lubras', and being referred to as 'slappos'. He also alleged hearing colleagues use violent and dehumanizing language towards Indigenous people in custody and on patrol, including referring to Aboriginal women as 'fucking dogs'. Lewfatt stated that the constant exposure to racism forced him to take medical leave.
The lawsuit further alleges that Acpos were chronically underpaid, performing duties comparable to constables without appropriate compensation, resulting in less pay than their predominantly non-Indigenous colleagues. The statement of claim asserts that these actions breach the Racial Discrimination Act.
Seb O’Meara, a partner at Gordon Legal, described the situation as 'systemic' and not the result of isolated incidents, noting that senior personnel allegedly failed to act. He indicated that approximately 60 Acpos are employed at any given time, suggesting hundreds could be impacted. The NT police stated they are aware of the legal action but declined to comment further, as has the NT government.