Former cop who shot dead 19-year-old Aboriginal man during arrest attempt reveals his surprising next move
A former NT police officer who fatally shot an Indigenous teenager during an arrest attempt will speak on a panel for an upcoming networking event.
Zachary Rolfe, who was acquitted of murder in 2022 after shooting Kumanjayi Walker three times in 2019, is among eight speakers at the Frontline Summit: Purpose in Service and Beyond being held in Parramatta, west of Sydney, on Saturday.
The event held at Parramatta Barracks between 9am to 5pm promises 'expert speakers, practical sessions, and networking opportunities'.
Announcing the summit, organisers said it aimed to 'create a community, helping our colleagues find purpose in service and transition when leaving the job'.
Mr Rolfe described the event in a post online as a 'solid day with the right people, pushing the culture in the right direction', as reported by The Guardian.
The former NT officer could reportedly be paid up to $10,000 for talks on 'leadership, crisis management and ethical decision-making'.
Online ticket sales for the summit appear to have been suspended on Tuesday.
A protest calling for an end to black deaths in custody is being held at Parramatta Square on the same day, with the march scheduled to finish at the Barracks.
The rally is calling for justice for Kumanjayi White – a 24-year-old man from Yuendumu who died in an unrelated incident while in police custody inside Coles in Alice Springs on May 27.
No charges have been laid, no cause of death has been determined, nor have the officers allegedly involved in the incident been stood down.
In November 2019, Mr Rolfe fatally shot Mr Walker during a botched arrest attempt in the rural town of Yuendumu, 290km northwest of Alice Springs.
Mr Rolfe was stabbed with scissors during the arrest.
He was found not guilty of all charges following a high-profile five week trial in the Supreme Court in 2022.
The former police officer is now represented by by Robert Joske Management whose clients include former Foreign Affairs minister Alexander Downer and former Queensland premier Anna Bligh.
In an online bio for Mr Rolfe, it reads his life 'took a dramatic turn' following Mr Walker's death.
'Throughout this gruelling process, he (Mr Rolfe) exhibited remarkable resilience, navigating legal complexities with the same focus and determination that characterised his military and policing careers,' the bio read.
'(Mr Rolfe) will offer compelling insights into critical aspects of modern corporate leadership through his engaging talks.'
The inquest into Mr Walker's death began following Mr Rolfe's acquittal.
When Mr Rolfe gave evidence at the inquest, he claimed there was 'racist awards' within the NT Police Force.
Meanwhile, Ian Freckleton, representing the NT Police, alleged Mr Rolfe was a 'racist', reported NT News.
Coroner Elisabeth Armitage is due to declare her findings on July 7.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Rolfe and a representative for the Frontline Summit for comment.
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