The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) has slammed Chief Minister Michael Gunner's refusal to withdraw comments that "consequences will flow" following the death of Kumanjayi Walker.
In a statement on Friday, NTPA president Paul McCue said Mr Gunner had angered the association's membership and that his comments indicated a "lack of understanding of the separation of powers".
"That statement gives clear inference that something has seemingly gone wrong. It was an incredibly poor choice of words, to say the least," he said.
"I called Mr Gunner the same night he made that comment and asked him to explain exactly what he meant, that it had upset our members, and whether he would publicly withdraw or clarify the comment the next day. He refused."
Mr McCue accused Mr Gunner of seizing on the tragedy for "political point-scoring."
Apology offered for offence caused
Mr Gunner said his comments from Yuendumu had been taken out of context and misrepresented by the NTPA.
"There will be outcomes, findings and recommendations from the investigations. That was the point I was making," he said.
"The findings might be directed at health, police, NT Ministers (including myself), the Federal Government or other agencies. That is simply the truth.
"We are putting on additional police and giving you more resources because we back you and appreciate your work."
Mr Gunner offered an apology if anyone in NT Police had taken "offence at my comments and interpreted them in any other way".
"This has been a tough time for police and many others across the Territory and I want to thank people for their ongoing work in the community," he said.
"I have nothing but respect for NT Police."
Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker, 19, died after being shot in the Indigenous community of Yuendumu, 266 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs on November 10, 2019.
NT Police has charged one of its officers — 28-year-old Constable Zachary Rolfe — with one count of murder.
The NTPA has indicated Mr Rolfe intends to plead not guilty.
On December 19, he will return to court in the Alice Springs Local Court for a brief mention and a time will be set for the next hearing.
