The Northern Territory Opposition is calling for an inquiry into the decision to charge Constable Zachary Rolfe with murder, accusing NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner of the "appearance" of political interference.
A jury unanimously found Constable Rolfe not guilty of all charges over the fatal shooting of 19-year-old man Kumanjayi Walker during an attempted arrest in Yuendumu.
Constable Rolfe was charged with murder four days after the shooting in November 2019.
In a statement issued after the verdict, Country Liberals leader Lia Finocchiaro said the charge against Constable Rolfe was a "politicisation of a police shooting" and called for an independent inquiry.
She said comments made by NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner to a community meeting in Yuendumu before the murder charge was laid needed investigating.
"Chief Minister Michael Gunner has serious questions to answer over the appearance of political interference prior to charges being laid, after he promised the residents of Yuendumu — just days after the shooting — that 'consequences will flow'," she said.
"The extraordinary circumstances surrounding the decision to charge and bring Constable Rolfe to trial requires nothing less than a full, independent, inquiry."
At the time Mr Gunner said his comments to the meeting — that "consequences will flow" as a result of the shooting — had been misinterpreted by the police union.
In a statement a spokesperson for Mr Gunner said: "The coroner has already promised there will be an independent coronial inquest into Mr Walker's death."
Charge against Constable Rolfe a 'travesty', union says
Speaking outside the Supreme Court on Friday, NT Police Association president Paul McCue said the not guilty verdict in Constable Rolfe's murder trial vindicated criticism of the case against him.
"A young man lost his life, but let's not forget Constable Rolfe and Constable Eberl were set upon viciously, and they followed their training and today, we've seen justice prevail," he said.
He said the union would have more to say on the handling of the case against Constable Rolfe in the coming days.
Defence barrister David Edwardson QC said Constable Rolfe had been wrongly charged and said the investigation process was "appalling".
"A number of public figures have had quite a lot to say before he was charged and that's regrettable and unfortunate," he said.
"But I have one last thing to say — consequences will flow."
Police Commissioner says criticism based on 'mistruths'
NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker fronted the media on Friday to give a statement but did not take questions.
He said "mistruths and the rhetoric that is out there that has had no basis of foundation" would be answered by the police response to the coronial inquest into Kumanjayi Walker's death.
"To that end, the coronial inquest that is due later this year will oblige us to maintain our level of respect and not continue, as others have, to proffer opinion and views in the absence of facts," Commissioner Chalker said.
"We respect the integrity of court processes, inclusive of criminal, inclusive of coronial and inclusive of civil. And that, is the domain we operate under."
In a short statement outside court, Constable Rolfe said he felt the right decision was made by the jury but knew Kumanjayi Walker's family and community "are hurting today."
Distraught relatives of Kumanjayi Walker said the 19-year-old was put "on trial for his own death" throughout proceedings.
They called for a ban on police carrying guns in remote communities as they addressed the media after the verdict.
The call was backed by the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, which said "lessons must be learnt by police from this tragedy".
Chief Minister says jury's decision 'a time for healing'
In a statement prior to Ms Finocchiaro's call for an inquiry, Mr Gunner said "the justice system has completed its process, and now it is a time for healing".
"Twelve of our fellow Territorians have considered all of the evidence before them, and delivered a verdict," he said.
"I acknowledge the pain the death has caused for the deceased's family and the Yuendumu community, who are in mourning.
"I also acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of our policemen and women – who undertake their duties in difficult and often very dangerous environments."
