Constable Zachary Rolfe, who was acquitted of the murder of Yuendumu man Kumanjayi Walker in March, will be reinstated by the NT Police, sources have confirmed to the NT Independent.

It’s understood Constable Rolfe is presently in Darwin and will resume work with the NT Police force on Monday July 18, however, it remains unclear in what specific capacity.

The NT Police executive blocked Constable Rolfe from returning to work just hours after his Supreme Court acquittal four months ago and directed him to take leave rather than serve a suspension after being accused of 25 serious breaches of discipline which he was told at the time could result in his termination.

The outstanding disciplinary matters are understood to have involved previously reported use of force allegations, talking to the media, and for comments he made in private text messages on his phone discovered by police some time after his arrest.

Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage had sent the letter to the union following the Supreme Court jury’s verdict in March, referencing the alleged breaches, because the head of professional standards had taken sudden leave.

On Friday however, Assistant Commissioner Bruce Porter, who is the head of people and cultural reform for police, dismissed the majority of alleged breaches of discipline, sources said.

It follows the launch of an external investigation into allegations a senior member of the executive team had told police members that Constable Rolfe would never be returning to the force, the NT Independent understands.

It’s understood a meeting was held with Constable Rolfe at police headquarters in Darwin City on Friday morning.

The timing of the reinstatement has raised eyebrows in police ranks as the NT Police Association is currently in the process of finalising a no confidence motion in Commissioner Jamie Chalker that will be emailed to serving members later this month to vote on, in what the union is calling a “survey”.

Mr Chalker has come under fire by the rank-and-file over his handling of the Rolfe matter and the rush to charge him, as well as a number of management issues that have irked many serving members, including the record-high attrition rate, the sluggish move to enact the findings of a mental health and well-being report, as well as concerns the executive is not listening to officers and taking frivolous disciplinary action for their own reasons.

However, union president Paul McCue had delayed moving on the no confidence motion for months, until nine of 12 police regions voted from the floor of the respective branches for a Territory-wide vote of confidence in Mr Chalker to take place.

Mr McCue had been critical of Mr Chalker’s handling of the Rolfe case in 2020, but has refrained from any public criticism of the Commissioner for any of the problems the NT Police force is currently grappling with.

Meanwhile, the NT Police top brass had earlier this month refused to confirm that an external investigation was underway into comments made by an executive member of the police management team about Constable Rolfe never being allowed to return to work.

The NT Independent understands that external investigation is currently underway led by an independent investigator from interstate.

Mr McCue did not respond to emailed questions yesterday. Constable Rolfe’s family also declined to comment when contacted.