NT police acting commissioner questioned at budget estimates over Kumanjayi White death investigation

Australia Broadcast Center

10-06-2025

The Northern Territory's acting police commissioner has provided further detail about why police believe the investigation into Kumanjayi White's death should not be outsourced to an external body, during NT budget estimates
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family.
Mr White, a 24-year-old Aboriginal man, died two weeks ago after he was restrained by plain-clothed police officers in an Alice Springs supermarket, after he allegedly assaulted a security guard in the store.
Mr White's family, the NT's two largest land councils and several politicians have called for an independent investigation into his death, which the NT Police Force (NTPF) has ruled out.
Responding to questions at budget estimates in NT parliament on Tuesday, NT Police Acting Commissioner Martin Dole said the investigation was not "something we can just hand to somebody else".
"It's not simply a matter that we can bring in an external body that doesn't have any powers," he said.
"The [NT] Police Administration Act establishes the Northern Territory Police Force for the purpose of preventing, investigating and detecting crimes.
In recent years, South Australian officers have been temporarily sworn in to the NT Police Force during deployments to Alice Springs.
NT Police have been contacted for comment about why an individual or body from outside the territory could not be sworn in to investigate Mr White's death.
In budget estimates, Acting Commissioner Dole said there were "quite strict policies and procedures in place" regarding "serious incidents or deaths involving police contact with the public".
"There's a standing general order on that," he said.
"We've also got oversight [by] the Northern Territory Ombudsman and the Northern Territory [Independent Commissioner Against Corruption] and direction of the coroner as well, in regards to investigating [Mr White's death]."
Mr White's family has called for the police officers involved in apprehending him to be stood down while the investigation occurs.
Asked about those calls, Acting Commissioner Dole said the standing down of police officers was "a decision for the Professional Standards Command".
"It depends what's being investigated and what evidence is available at the time," he said.
"So just because a matter sits in the current realm of a criminal investigation doesn't necessarily dictate that a member would be stood down.
"[It] depends how evidence is available and what stage the criminal investigation reaches before that decision's made in conjunction with [the] Professional Standards Command."
Mr White's family has also called on police to provide them with all CCTV and body-worn footage of the incident.
Acting Commissioner Dole said he was not leading the investigation and so could not "give assurances on behalf of those that are".
"But probably a simple answer to that is while it remains a criminal investigation, that footage is an exhibit and that integrity of that needs to be maintained," he said.
Labor's two NT Indigenous representatives in federal parliament, Malarndirri McCarthy and Marion Scrymgour, are among those who have suggested an external body could investigate Mr White's death.
Senator McCarthy has said an independent investigation "may be warranted", while Ms Scrymgour has called for the Australian Federal Police to handle the probe.
Sitting beside Acting Commissioner Dole in budget estimates, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro criticised the contributions of both Senator McCarthy and Ms Scrymgour, labelling their comments "appalling".
"They should know better," she said.
'This is a very sad time for the community. Obviously, our police have an incredibly important job to do and the politicisation of this issue helps no one."
Ms Finocchiaro has previously condemned Senator McCarthy — the federal Indigenous Australians minister — for her comments, labelling them "entirely unhelpful".
"I stand by the comments I've made because, quite frankly, Senator McCarthy and Marion Scrymgour have been members of parliament for a very, very long time, both at the territory level and at a federal level," she said during budget estimates.
"They most certainly should know better."
A third Alice Springs vigil for Mr White is due to be held on Wednesday.