A top cop has acknowledged racism must be confronted in his force as the former officer acquitted of killing an Indigenous teenager denied race was a factor in his death.
Coroner Elisabeth Armitage found the Northern Territory Police Force had "the hallmarks of institutionalised racism" and it was not just "one bad apple".
The coroner's findings into the death of Kumanjayi Walker were handed down in Yuendumu, 300km northwest of Alice Springs, on Monday.
The 600-page document has exposed "deeply disturbing" racism within the NT Police, the human rights commission says.
Handing down her findings into the 19-year-old's death, Judge Armitage found Zachary Rolfe, the officer who shot Kumanjayi Walker, was racist and could not rule out such attitudes contributed to Mr Walker's death.
Mr Walker was fatally shot by then-constable Rolfe during an attempted arrest at a home in Yuendumu in November 2019.
In a statement issued by his lawyer, Mr Rolfe said he does not accept many of the findings in relation to his conduct on November 9, 2019.
That includes criticism he failed to adhere to operational safety training, or that he ignored his training.
"He does not accept there was any dishonesty at all associated with these events," the statement read.
"Insofar as some may hold a view to the contrary, this was never about race."
NT Police Acting Commissioner Martin Dole said a decision to leave the town before talking with Mr Walker's family was made after discussions with Elders despite a community leader knocking that decision.
Mr Dole said the force had acknowledged 32 recommendations by the coroner and they will be considered.
But it was clear racism existed in the NT's law and order branch, he said.
"It is a truth that we must face. What was tolerated in the past will no longer be acceptable," the commissioner told reporters in Alice Springs.
The NT's Country Liberal Party government said it would take time to consider the findings and recommendations.
"The Finocchiaro CLP government welcomes the conclusion of this lengthy process, which has taken a significant toll on the community and the NT Police Force," a spokesperson said.
Mr Walker's grandfather said the coroner had told the truth over racism in the NT.
"We need to let the world know what's been happening to us," Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves said.
"In future when we work with the police, it needs to be two ways of working and understanding.
"The First Nation, Indigenous people, we have the first solution - we need to take back our rights, our rights to run the community and to have peace to our people."
In her findings Judge Armitage said Mr Walker's death was avoidable.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said her heart was breaking for the family of Kumanjayi Walker and the community of Yuendumu.
Ms Kiss said she hoped the coroner's findings would help prevent further tragedies.
"(Judge Armitage's) findings must be the final alarm. This must end."
NT Police said it would consider consulting with Yuendumu community leadership about when it might be appropriate for police not to carry firearms.
A draft anti-racism strategy developed with the assistance of NT Aboriginal organisations will soon be released for broader consultation.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
