Senior Constable Zachary Rolfe is facing a murder trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court for the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Jurors viewed body-worn police footage capturing the incident where White and others repeatedly asked Nowland to drop the knife before White discharged his weapon. White claimed he believed she posed a risk to himself and his colleague, Senior Constable Jessica Pank, as she walked towards them with a raised knife. He expressed his upset and devastation over Nowland being injured, as his intent was for her to be incapacitated, not harmed.
White defended his use of force by stating the danger was increasing, communication had failed, and the incident had been ongoing for hours. He mentioned that they attempted to use a Taser’s warning arc before resorting to discharging the weapon. When asked if he considered that his actions might result in Nowland’s death, White replied that he did not, as he never intended harm. He mentioned discussions with Pank about the use of force on elderly people and referred to the NSW Police Standard Operating Procedures including criteria and exceptional circumstances. Despite not being aware of the exceptional circumstances test, he believed his actions were justified based on Nowland’s armed behavior.
During his testimony, White recalled his training regarding the use of force on offenders armed with a knife, emphasizing that any individual carrying a knife posed a high risk and danger. He stated that he graduated from the police academy in 2011 and had been stationed at Cooma since 2017. White’s barrister, Troy Edwards, questioned him about why he discharged his Taser, to which White reiterated his belief that Nowland was a threat to their safety and the intent behind her actions was clear. He also mentioned that they sought to have her comply with their instructions, giving her every opportunity to surrender peacefully.
The jury heard White and Pank’s reports following the incident, where they discussed the Tasering of elderly individuals and reviewed the NSW Police Standard Operating Procedures. White mentioned that they accepted Nowland’s age but highlighted her armed behavior and apparent intent to harm them as justification for using force. He expressed his hope for a peaceful resolution but acknowledged the risk posed by individuals armed with knives. White’s testimony revealed his training experiences regarding handling offenders with weapons and the importance of not underestimating the danger they present.
Despite the tragic outcome of Nowland’s injury, White maintained his stance that his actions were necessary due to the perceived threat she posed. He emphasized his intention for her to be incapacitated rather than harmed and expressed his devastation over the incident’s outcome. White’s testimony shed light on the challenging decisions that law enforcement officers face in high-risk situations and the training they receive to respond to such threats. The ongoing trial will continue to delve into the circumstances surrounding Nowland’s injury and the justification for White’s use of force in the situation.
