Aboriginal Police Officers Sue NT Over Racism and Underpayment 2026

Aboriginal community police officers are suing the Northern Territory government and NT police force over alleged systemic discrimination, racial abuse, and underpayment spanning nearly three decades. The class action, representing officers who served between 1998 and 2025, highlights deep-seated issues within the force, including racist slurs and violence against Indigenous colleagues and community members.

Allegations of Systemic Racism and Abuse

Shawn Lewfatt, a Darwin man who has served as an Aboriginal community police officer (Acpo) since 1998, leads the class action. He describes decades of enduring racist taunts and witnessing contempt and violence directed at Indigenous people. Lewfatt claims that non-Indigenous officers used derogatory terms like "boong," "coons," "gins," and "lubras," and referred to Aboriginal community officers as "slappos"—a demeaning twist on the acronym Apos.

Lewfatt also alleges hearing officers make violent and dehumanizing comments about Aboriginal people in custody, such as "I feel better now that I’ve got to smash those coons" and referring to Aboriginal women as "fucking dogs" or "camp dogs." These experiences took a severe toll on his mental health, forcing him to take medical leave two years ago.

Underpayment and Unfair Workload

Beyond the racial abuse, the lawsuit claims chronic underpayment. Lewfatt asserts that he and fellow Acpos were routinely assigned duties comparable to constables but paid less than their non-Indigenous counterparts. This systemic underpayment meant that officers performing the same tasks received unequal compensation based on their Indigenous status.

Impact on Officers and Community

The abuse and discrimination have had profound effects on the officers' well-being and their ability to serve their communities. Lewfatt stated, "I used to numb myself," reflecting the psychological coping mechanisms many officers adopted. The class action seeks accountability and systemic change within the NT police force.

Comparison of Pay and Duties: Acpo vs. Constable

Despite performing similar tasks in many cases, Acpos are paid significantly less, highlighting the systemic pay disparity.

Key Takeaways

• Class action filed against NT government and police force over racial discrimination and underpayment.
• Allegations include widespread use of racist slurs and dehumanizing language.
• Officers were often assigned higher-level duties without appropriate compensation.
• The case spans from 1998 to 2025, showing long-standing systemic issues.
• Lead plaintiff Shawn Lewfatt took medical leave due to the psychological toll.

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