Commissioner Michael Murphy will deliver a speech at Australia's largest Indigenous gathering, the Garma Festival, on Saturday where he is expected to recognise the harm done to the Aboriginal community by the NT police force.
"It'll be an apology for a number of our involvements in policy positions and also some of our activities that we have undertaken as Northern Territory police in the past," Mr Murphy told ABC News.
"It's about recognising and owning it so we can move forward and unite and looking at healing and reconciliation into the future to work together for better outcomes for community safety."
The fatal shooting of Indigenous man Kumanjayi Walker caused hurt and anger in the community. (Aaron Bunch/AAP PHOTOS)
The death of Indigenous man Kumanjayi Walker offered an opportunity for the force to reflect on its history, Mr Murphy said, as he acknowledged the hurt and anger in the community.
Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe in November 2019, during an attempted arrest.
Mr Rolfe, who was a Tactical Response Group member, was acquitted of murder during a five-week trial in 2022 and is no longer serving as a police officer.
"It's a time to make a change. We need to own our past," Mr Murphy said.
"As the commissioner of police, I'm responsible for the leadership of the agency and the future of it and where we're headed.
"This is a real opportunity to seize on that and make a difference for the future and make it a better place."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will also address the festival and is expected to announce a First Nations policy focusing on economic empowerment for Indigenous people.
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