‘A slap in the face’: Aboriginal community condemns officer’s bid to return to the force following JC trial

A police officer’s bid to return to the force has been described as a “slap in the face” for the Aboriginal community after he was acquitted of the fatal shooting of a Yamatji mother on a Geraldton street in 2019. A Supreme Court jury found the police officer — who cannot be named — not guilty of murder and manslaughter following the death of Aboriginal woman JC. Police Commissioner Chris Dawson confirmed last week the officer wanted to get back to work more than two years after he was stood down from operational duties in September 2019. The officer was suspended after he was charged with murder, becoming the first WA officer to stand trial for the offence in almost a century. Family supporter and Noongar woman Megan Krakouer said news the first class constable wanted to return to work was “disgraceful”. “It’s a slap in the face,” she said. “If this fella returns to work, I think the police department are putting themselves at risk of further damage to race relations. “A lot of people still believe he murdered (JC) and he should have at least been found guilty of manslaughter. “The police’s relationships with Aboriginal people will be diminished.” Mr Dawson said the first class constable would have to undergo an assessment before any concrete decisions were made on his future. “I have spoken to the officer and his wife, shortly after the jury acquitted him of that charge,” Mr Dawson said. “We will work our way through an assessment, in terms of any re-training and how we can actually proceed the way through that. We are right in the middle of that at the moment. I am not in a position to add too much further than that, other than he’s been spoken to.” The WA Police Union said it would do what it could to help the officer return to work. “We supported our member throughout the judicial process, and I accompanied him when he sat down with Commissioner Dawson to discuss his future following his acquittal on all charges,” WA Police Union acting president Mick Kelly said. “Our member wants to continue with the WA Police Force, and we’ll assist him to fulfil his aspirations by engaging with the agency. “Our member’s been stood aside from duties for more than two years. As would be the case for any police officer who’s spent a prolonged period off the job, he’ll require some retraining.” During the trial, the court was told JC, a mother of one with a history of mental health issues and drug abuse, had been roaming the area armed with a 30cm bread knife and a pair of pink-handled scissors when she was shot once in the stomach by the officer. Prosecutors claimed he had no justification for shooting JC, arguing his actions during the frantic 16-second confrontation amounted to murder because JC had stopped and was not moving her feet. The officer claimed self-defence in making a split-second decision to pull the trigger. Bundiyarra CEO Wayne McDonald said he was in disbelief the officer could make a comeback to police ranks. “It is shocking to hear that it’s being considered for him to return,” he said. “Geraldton is one of the nicest towns in WA. “If he comes back he’s going to cause a lot grief.”