Shawn Lewfatt, an Aboriginal community police officer based in Darwin, has joined a group of over 50 individuals in launching a significant legal challenge against the Northern Territory government and its police force. The class action, which has been ongoing since 1998, highlights serious allegations of racial abuse, discrimination, and underpayment within the workplace. Lewfatt, who has served as an Aboriginal Community Police Officer (Acpo) for nearly 30 years, is at the forefront of this case.
According to the lawsuit, the environment that Lewfatt and his colleagues faced was rife with prejudice and disrespect. He described witnessing and experiencing a culture where racist language was not only common but often used in the presence of Aboriginal community members. Non-Indigenous officers, he alleged, frequently used derogatory slurs such as 'boong,' 'coon,' 'gins,' and 'lubras' to describe Aboriginal people. These slurs were not limited to off-duty conversations; they were reportedly used while on patrol and in the presence of the public.
Racist language and systemic abuse
Lewfatt explained that the term 'slappos' was used as a deliberate mockery of the acronym for Apos, transforming it into a degrading insult. He said this language was not only offensive but part of a broader pattern of behavior that included dehumanizing remarks. He also mentioned acts of violence as part of this pattern. He recounted hearing colleagues make violent threats, such as, 'I feel better now that I’ve got to smash those coons' or 'If you want any black cunts locked up, let me know.' These comments, he said, were often directed at Aboriginal women. They were referred to in particularly degrading terms, such as 'fucking dogs' or 'camp dogs.'
The emotional toll of witnessing and enduring this abuse was immense. Lewfatt described being forced to develop coping mechanisms, including numbing himself to the environment to continue performing his duties. Eventually, the stress became so severe that he was compelled to take medical leave two years ago.
Pay disparities and legal action
In addition to the allegations of racial abuse, Lewfatt also highlighted the issue of unequal pay. He claimed that throughout his 30-year tenure as an Acpo, he and his colleagues were consistently assigned tasks that were beyond their expected duties. They often performed tasks similar to those done by non-Indigenous constables. Despite the comparable workload, he argued that their pay remained significantly lower. This disparity, he said, contributed to the broader issue of systemic discrimination. It was within the Northern Territory Police Force.
The legal action, filed in the Federal Court in July by the law firm Gordon Legal, asserts that the actions of the Northern Territory government and police force violated the Racial Discrimination Act.
O’Meara emphasized that the abuse and discrimination were not limited to a few individuals or isolated incidents. Instead, he argued that the behavior was widespread and ingrained in the system. He described the situation as being so public and persistent that even senior personnel within the police force failed to address or prevent it. The lawsuit encompasses multiple claims, including racial vilification, hate speech, and unequal pay, terms, and working conditions for Acpo officers.
According to O’Meara, approximately 60 Acpo officers were employed across the Northern Territory at any given time, meaning the potential number of people affected by the allegations could be in the hundreds. The legal team is working to ensure that justice is sought not only for those who have already left the workforce but also for those still serving in the role.
When contacted by Guardian Australia, the Northern Territory Police stated that they were aware of the legal action but declined to comment further. Similarly, the NT government has also been reached out to for a response, but no official statement has been issued at this time.