Independent Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson MLA has backed calls for accountability after police mistakenly apprehended a 17-year-old Aboriginal boy at gunpoint on a Canberra bus last week.

Mr Emerson said the incident was disturbing and inexcusable.

“I acknowledge police have a difficult job to do, but apprehending an innocent Aboriginal child at gunpoint is not part of that job,” Mr Emerson said.

“This is exactly what institutional racism looks like, and we have to be willing to call it out.

“Making a mistake is one thing, but there’s no excuse for targeting an Aboriginal child because of how he looks.

“The criminalisation of our country’s first peoples has to stop.”

Mr Emerson urged ACT Policing to follow through on government commitments to eliminate institutional racism under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. He also backed calls made by the family, the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, the Acting ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, and Yeddung Mura Aboriginal Corporation for:

• A full, immediate, independent investigation into the officers and their conduct with public findings
• Officers to be stood down during the investigation
• Formal public apologies from the Minister for Police, the Chief Police Officer and the officers involved to the child and his family
• A review of use-of-force protocols involving children
• Mandatory and enforceable cultural safety and de-escalation training
• Clear, consistent consequences for any breaches of policy and child safety standards

In June, Mr Emerson introduced a private member’s bill that would legislate the ACT Government’s commitments to systemic reform under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, including by requiring all senior public servants to work to eliminate institutional racism. The bill is due to be debated in December.

Media Contact

Will Devine | [email protected] | 0402 183 296

Background:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community advocates have issued a joint media statement here and the family has made a statement here.