Aboriginal Police Officers Sue Northern Territory Government for Racial Abuse

Shawn Lewfatt and a group of current and former Aboriginal community police officers are pursuing a federal class action lawsuit against the Northern Territory government and the Northern Territory Police Force. The applicants allege a systemic pattern of racial discrimination, vilification, and physical abuse from 1998 to 2025.

The lawsuit claims Indigenous officers were subjected to dehumanizing racist slurs and violence while being chronically underpaid compared to non-Indigenous colleagues in similar roles. This legal action follows a two-year complaint process with the Australian Human Rights Commission that ended in May 2026 after the parties failed to reach a resolution.

Represented by Gordon Legal, the officers are seeking an apology, financial compensation, and institutional accountability. The Northern Territory Police Force acknowledged the proceedings and committed to anti-racism training for staff but declined to provide further comments. The case is scheduled for a federal court appearance in August 2026, with the legal team seeking a trial date in 2027.